The Resilience of Complex Sociotechnical Systems: A Meta-Review of Conceptualisations
M.P.J. Vert (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
Alexei Sharpanskykh (TU Delft - Aerospace Engineering)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
This meta-review systematically examines 88 review papers from the scientific literature, focusing on the diverse ways scholars define and conceptualise the resilience of complex sociotechnical systems (STS). Among the 484 different conceptualisations identified in the reviews, we observe recurring patterns based on their semantics. In particular, four constructs are predominant: some positive elements, some negative events, specific actions, and some constraints on these actions. Our analysis involves a meticulous categorisation and synthesis of these findings, revealing underlying convergences in the academic discourse on STS resilience. Despite what seemed to be apparent disagreements among scholars in the last decade, our study shows that many differing viewpoints are actually complementary, representing varied expressions of similar underlying principles converging towards a large consensus. This comprehensive synthesis offers a unique perspective on the field of STS resilience, demonstrating the feasibility of moving from diverse meta-theoretical paradigms towards a more unified paradigmatic approach.
help_outline