Complexity theory and engaged research: Critical incidents in the Sydney rail system

摘要

This article reports on a study of Sydney's rail system to argue that engaged research requires a problem-oriented complexity framework. This needs a richer method drawing on ideas from more scientific and mathematical forms of complexity/chaos theory to complement cultural studies understandings of complexity. The paper develops the idea of critical incidents as a bridge between science, cultural studies and business, and uses it to analyse small and large problems of Sydney rail, from loose roof-hatch bolts to communication problems in the organization. It also proposes a strategy, virtual trialogues, to construct a manageable intermediate level of complexity and analyse it by adapting digital software.View full textDownload full textRelated var addthis_config = { ui_cobrand: "Taylor & Francis Online", services_compact: "citeulike,netvibes,twitter,technorati,delicious,linkedin,facebook,stumbleupon,digg,google,more", pubid: "ra-4dff56cd6bb1830b" }; Add to shortlist Link Permalink http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10304312.2011.617880