Societal Complexity

DeTombe, Dorien

doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1153-7_1178

Cited by 1 publication

(4 citation statements)

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“…For example, System Dynamics (SD) can help to gain a better insight into the role of stakeholders in complex decision-making processes (den Uijl & Bahlmann 2002). Another example is seen in the Complex Problem Analysing Method (Compram) developed by DeTombe (2013, 2015 a ). The Compram methodology offers a multidisciplinary method of handling complex societal problems with the collaborative involvement of policymakers and other stakeholders (DeTombe 2013).…”

Section: Uncovering the Foundations Of A Systems Design Approach: Selmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another example is seen in the Complex Problem Analysing Method (Compram) developed by DeTombe (2013, 2015 a ). The Compram methodology offers a multidisciplinary method of handling complex societal problems with the collaborative involvement of policymakers and other stakeholders (DeTombe 2013). The approach is based on the understanding that societal problems are ill-defined and dynamic (i.e., they change over time), and that they involve multiple stakeholders who may have different perceptions regarding the ideal solutions to the problem.…”

Section: Uncovering the Foundations Of A Systems Design Approach: Selmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…They are often very hard to define due to limited information about specific problem situation and lack of context-specific knowledge. Nevertheless, they are problems that impact everyday life, as is the case with sustainability issues in developing countries (DeTombe 2013, 2015 a ). For example, the complex societal problem of providing access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in low-income households is hard to define, describe, and structure based on the available resources, infrastructure, and demand (see Costa Junior, Diehl & Secomandi 2018).…”

Section: Uncovering the Foundations Of A Systems Design Approach: Selmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To handle societal problems more effectively, problem solvers from different disciplinary domains have rethought how to employ scientific methods for studying and responding to complexity (Murthy 2000; Espinosa, Harnden & Walker 2008; Stjepandić, Wognum & Verhagen 2015). Despite these efforts, the literature shows a significant gap between the complexity of societal problems and problem solvers’ capacity to understand and deal with them (DeTombe 2013). Such a knowledge gap cannot be overcome without a paradigm shift in how we understand and address such issues (Espinosa et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A framework for a systems design approach to complex societal problems

2019

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Societal problems concern the complexity of technical, organisational, social, and political issues. The enormous negative impacts of these problems and the inability of problem solvers to deal with high levels of complexity cannot be overcome without a paradigm shift in how we understand and engage with such issues. Two domains have been helpful in bringing about such a shift: Systems Thinking and Design. Although these domains express mutual interest in social–technical systems and complex problem solving, in the literature there are few attempts of bringing the compatibility between them to the attention of designers. This paper aims to contribute to this endeavour by uncovering the role of integrating systems thinking for design, and by providing an overview of the emerging field of systems-oriented design approaches. An extensive literature review outlines significant aspects underlying systems thinking to support its use and further development in design. This paper provides a conceptual framework structured in five clusters: mindset, methodology set, knowledge set, skill set and tool set. The framework is meant to assist designers in integrating systems thinking into design and thereby enable them to better handle complex societal problems.

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