Contribution of socio-technical systems theory concepts to a framework of Territorial Intelligence Philippe Dumas Laboratory I3m, Université du Sud Toulon, France

Thinking and dealing with complexity General Systems Theory (Gst), from Wiener (1961), Von Bertalanffy (1968), Simon (1960) in the sixties to LeMoigne (1990) and Morin (1977, 1980)

General Systems Theory (Gst),

from

Wiener (1961), Von Bertalanffy (1968), Simon (1960) in the sixties

to

LeMoigne (1990) and Morin (1977, 1980)

The socio-technical systems approach The system as a representation The role of the inquirer Consequence for the Territorial Intelligence framework

The system as a representation

The role of the inquirer

Consequence for the Territorial Intelligence framework

The system as a representation “ A group of units so combined as to form a whole and to operate in unison” (Webster) The manner in which “a given system is described depends upon the observer, his knowledge, and interest in the operation of the system, although for many systems there are some strata, i.e. features, which appear as natural or inherent” (Mesarovic et al., 1968, p33)

“ A group of units so combined as to form a whole and to operate in unison” (Webster)

The manner in which “a given system is described depends upon the observer, his knowledge, and interest in the operation of the system, although for many systems there are some strata, i.e. features, which appear as natural or inherent” (Mesarovic et al., 1968, p33)

The role of the inquirer “ Systems everywhere” Bertalanffy (1968) Defining a system is a specific choice of someone we name “inquirer”, i.e. someone who is interested in doing so. Two characters: the observer and the designer

“ Systems everywhere” Bertalanffy (1968)

Defining a system is a specific choice of someone we name “inquirer”, i.e. someone who is interested in doing so.

Two characters: the observer and the designer

Consequence for the Territorial Intelligence framework A territory is a system that can only be defined with respect to the point of view of the inquirer, whether it is the observer or the designer. Importance of boundaries Properties of boundaries

A territory is a system that can only be defined with respect to the point of view of the inquirer, whether it is the observer or the designer.

Importance of boundaries

Properties of boundaries

A preliminary list of some relevant systems concepts Systems openness and bounded rationality Learning and adaptability Emerging properties Hypertely Decision-making

Systems openness and bounded rationality

Learning and adaptability

Emerging properties

Hypertely

Decision-making

Systems openness and bounded rationality Open system vs closed system Entropy Bounded rationality

Open system vs closed system

Entropy

Bounded rationality

Learning and adaptability An adaptive system is in the class of complex systems that show self-direction in an evolutive environment Example of adaptation to environmental change Efficiency and effectiveness To learn is to increase one’s efficiency in the pursuit of a goal under unchanged conditions

An adaptive system is in the class of complex systems that show self-direction in an evolutive environment

Example of adaptation to environmental change

Efficiency and effectiveness

To learn is to increase one’s efficiency in the pursuit of a goal under unchanged conditions

Emerging properties New behaviors tend to create new functions, forms and significances Networking Social communities Role of Information Technology

New behaviors tend to create new functions, forms and significances

Networking

Social communities

Role of Information Technology

Hypertely Adaptation based on hypertrophied development of existing functions Borrowed from biology (Simondon, 1989) Negative Positive Participative democracy

Adaptation based on hypertrophied development of existing functions

Borrowed from biology (Simondon, 1989)

Negative

Positive

Participative democracy

Decision-making Hypotheses of rational decision-making: 1) all possible alternatives are known, 2) all outcomes are known, and 3) preferences for every outcome can be ordered Organizational decision-making: compromises, trade-offs between conflicting rationalities so as to square with the balance of power

Hypotheses of rational decision-making:

1) all possible alternatives are known,

2) all outcomes are known, and

3) preferences for every outcome can be ordered

Organizational decision-making:

compromises,

trade-offs between conflicting rationalities so as to square with the balance of power

Four types of organizational assessment

Types of decision-making processes I: closed systems’ thinking relies on the hypothesis of efficiency maximization of outcomes; it is the area where consensus is obtained because everyone thinks alike. II: goals are shared, but the ways to attain them are controversial. III: goals are not shared but the cause-effect relationship is fairly clear, so that negotiation can take place in power relationship. IV: confused situations where all arguments are set forth and debated. It is also the situation where creativity will provide a way to return to cell I where consensus can be reached.

I: closed systems’ thinking relies on the hypothesis of efficiency maximization of outcomes; it is the area where consensus is obtained because everyone thinks alike.

II: goals are shared, but the ways to attain them are controversial.

III: goals are not shared but the cause-effect relationship is fairly clear, so that negotiation can take place in power relationship.

IV: confused situations where all arguments are set forth and debated. It is also the situation where creativity will provide a way to return to cell I where consensus can be reached.

Conclusion The interest of that typology is that situations are shifting from one cell to another and this shifting game will explain the collective decision making process. Micro decisions in Territorial Intelligence for Sustained Development can be interpreted with this model. It is a way to improve participative democracy.

The interest of that typology is that situations are shifting from one cell to another and this shifting game will explain the collective decision making process.

Micro decisions in Territorial Intelligence for Sustained Development can be interpreted with this model.

It is a way to improve participative democracy.

Thank you, Gracias, Merci Philippe Dumas [email_address] fr , + 33 4 94 14 22 36