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A Complex Adaptive Systems View of Resilience in a Project Team

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  • Mary C. Edson

Abstract

Using a complex adaptive systems perspective, this case study explored project team resilience through analysis of group development and panarchy. Three research questions focused on a team's consciousness of a need to change under adversity, its response through adaptive action, and its potential for innovation through creative destruction. The subject team consisted of approximately 200 students, building a solar house over a 2‐year period in an international competition sponsored by the US Department of Energy. A multilevel analysis culminated in an integrated systems perspective with conclusions, specifically the role of environmental feedback. Implications suggest using complex adaptive systems as a theoretical foundation for studying group development, as well as organizational culture, inflection points, nested adaptive cycles, emergence of leadership, and emergence of innovation. This research contributes a deeper understanding of project team resilience in organizational systems such as companies, non‐profits, governmental, and non‐governmental entities by revealing the importance of building adaptive capacity through organizational learning. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary C. Edson, 2012. "A Complex Adaptive Systems View of Resilience in a Project Team," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(5), pages 499-516, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:srbeha:v:29:y:2012:i:5:p:499-516
    DOI: 10.1002/sres.2153
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. John H. Miller & Scott E. Page, 2007. "Complexity in Social Worlds, from Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life," Introductory Chapters, in: Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life, Princeton University Press.
    2. Aghion, Philippe & Howitt, Peter, 1992. "A Model of Growth through Creative Destruction," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 60(2), pages 323-351, March.
    3. John H. Miller & Scott E. Page, 2007. "Social Science in Between, from Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life," Introductory Chapters, in: Complex Adaptive Systems: An Introduction to Computational Models of Social Life, Princeton University Press.
    4. Philippe Aghion & Peter Howitt, 1997. "Endogenous Growth Theory," MIT Press Books, The MIT Press, edition 1, volume 1, number 0262011662, December.
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    1. Gu, Xinbing & Chan, Hing Kai & Thadani, Dimple R. & Chan, Faith Ka Shun & Peng, Yi, 2023. "The role of digital techniques in organisational resilience and performance of logistics firms in response to disruptive events: Flooding as an example," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    2. Ram, Jiwat, 2023. "Investigating staff capabilities to make projects resilient: A systematic literature review and future directions," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    3. Stephanie Duchek & Sebastian Raetze & Ianina Scheuch, 2020. "The role of diversity in organizational resilience: a theoretical framework," Business Research, Springer;German Academic Association for Business Research, vol. 13(2), pages 387-423, July.
    4. Dawn Gilbert & Mike Yearworth, 2016. "Complexity in a Systems Engineering Organization: An Empirical Case Study," Systems Engineering, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(5), pages 422-435, September.
    5. Virginie Fernandez & Yvonne Giordano & Sabrina Loufrani-Fedida, 2017. "Enacting resilience in extreme action teams: The case of French mountain rescue organizing," Post-Print hal-02046087, HAL.
    6. Jorge Moya & María Goenechea, 2022. "An Approach to the Unified Conceptualization, Definition, and Characterization of Social Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    7. Varajão, João & Fernandes, Gabriela & Amaral, António & Gonçalves, A. Manuela, 2021. "Team Resilience Model: An Empirical Examination of Information Systems Projects," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    8. Adam C. Davis & Mirella L. Stroink, 2016. "The Relationship between Systems Thinking and the New Ecological Paradigm," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 575-586, July.

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