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

Bob Hodge, Ingrid Matthews

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    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 languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)887-901
    Number of pages15
    JournalContinuum
    Volume25
    Issue number6
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2011

    Keywords

    • RailCorp (Haymarket_N.S.W.)
    • Sydney (N.S.W.)
    • chaotic behavior in systems
    • complexity (philosophy)
    • railroads

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