Document Type

Conference Paper

Publication Date

2015

Publication Title

65th Annual Conference and Expo of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 30 May- 2 June 2015

Pages

2943-2952

Conference Name

65th Annual Conference and Expo of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, 30 May- 2 June, 2015, Nashville, Tennessee

Abstract

This paper examines the challenges and practice implications for Complex System Governance (CSG). CSG is presented as an emerging field focused on the design, execution, and evolution of the higher order (metasystem) functions necessary to provide control, communication, coordination, and integration of a complex system. This paper is focused on three primary objectives. First, we introduce the complex system problem domain that the CSG field is being designed to address. The pervasiveness of this problem domain is demonstrated by a short examination of the water utilities sector. Second, we expound the nature of CSG and an emerging reference model that defines the functions of CSG. These functions must be performed by any system that maintains viability (continued existence). The CSG reference model rests on the underlying conceptual foundations built from Systems Theory (axioms and propositions governing system integration and coordination) and Management Cybernetics (communication and control for effective system organization). Third, we explore the particular challenges that must be addressed if the potential of the emerging CSG field is to be realized. The paper concludes by suggesting the potential that the CSG field brings for enhancing practitioner capabilities to more effectively deal with complex systems and their associated problems.

Comments

© 2015 Institute of Industrial Engineers, now the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)

Included with the kind written permission of the copyright holders.

ORCID

0000-0001-9452-9105 (Keating), 0000-0002-2213-4929 (Katina)

Original Publication Citation

Keating, C. B., Katina, P. F., & Bradley, J. M. (2015). Challenges for developing complex system governance. In Çetinkaya, S. & Ryan, J.K. (Eds.), 65th Annual Conference and Expo of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, 30 May- 2 June, 2015, Nashville, Tennessee (pp. 2943-2952). Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

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