Systemic Intervention for Complex System Governance

Abstract

Complex System Governance (CSG) is an emerging field with potential to enhance capabilities for design, execution, and evolution of complex systems. CSG offers a theoretically grounded, model informed, and methodologically driven approach to more effectively deal with complex systems and their problems. However, initial CSG applications have identified multiple impediments to systemic intervention to deploy this new and novel field. In this paper we examine the nature, implications, and response strategies to more effectively deploy systemic intervention in support of CSG. Following a brief introduction to CSG, four primary objectives are pursued, including: (1) identification of major forms of systemic intervention for complex systems in general and a corresponding classification schema, (2) presentation of a dynamic and tailored approach (CSG‐Entry) to improve prospects for introductory systemic intervention for CSG, (3) results from an initial application of CSG‐Entry in a field setting, and (4) suggestion of lessons learned from initial applications of CSG‐Entry in relationship to systemic intervention. The paper concludes with examination of future development directions for systemic intervention to advance CSG performance.

Agrifood Sustainability Transitions in Firms and Industry: A Bibliographic Analysis of Research Themes

“…Transition governance has its roots in complex systems theory (Vinnari & Vinnari, 2014). However, governance studies frequently overlook the characteristics of complex systems, in particular, the concept of emergence, where outcomes cannot be predetermined, making traditional planning approaches ineffective (Keating et al, 2017). Halbe and Pahl-Wostl (2019) emphasise that managing transitions is especially challenging in agrifood systems due to the high levels of uncertainty, complexity, ambiguity and distributed control.…”