Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 887-901 |
Number of pages | 15 |
Journal | Continuum |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
Keywords
- RailCorp (Haymarket_N.S.W.)
- Sydney (N.S.W.)
- chaotic behavior in systems
- complexity (philosophy)
- railroads