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A new definition of complexity in a risk analysis setting

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  • Jensen, Anders
  • Aven, Terje

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the concept of complexity in a risk analysis context. Inspired by the work of Johansen and Rausand, a new perspective on complexity is presented which includes several common definitions of complexity as special cases. The idea is to link complexity to activities, to the knowledge about the activity and its consequences (including scenarios, events, outcomes), and to the knowledge about the sub-activities: an activity is considered complex if we have poor knowledge about the consequences of the activity, even if we have strong knowledge about the consequences of its sub-activities. In the paper, we show how this perspective provides new insights about the complexity concept and related risk understanding, risk assessment and risk management. The perspective allows in particular for novel ways of characterizing the risk of complex systems and activities. Some examples are used to illustrate the perspective and the discussion.

Suggested Citation

  • Jensen, Anders & Aven, Terje, 2018. "A new definition of complexity in a risk analysis setting," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 169-173.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reensy:v:171:y:2018:i:c:p:169-173
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ress.2017.11.018
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Amodeo, Domenico C. & Francis, Royce A., 2019. "The role of protocol layers and macro-cognitive functions in engineered system resilience," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Dariusz Szmel & Wiesław Zabłocki & Przemysław Ilczuk & Andrzej Kochan, 2019. "Method for Selecting the Safety Integrity Level for the Control-Command and Signaling Functions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(24), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Zhang, Mingyang & Zhang, Di & Fu, Shanshan & Kujala, Pentti & Hirdaris, Spyros, 2022. "A predictive analytics method for maritime traffic flow complexity estimation in inland waterways," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    4. Khastgir, Siddartha & Brewerton, Simon & Thomas, John & Jennings, Paul, 2021. "Systems Approach to Creating Test Scenarios for Automated Driving Systems," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    5. Langdalen, Henrik & Abrahamsen, Eirik Bjorheim & Abrahamsen, HÃ¥kon Bjorheim, 2020. "A New Framework To Idenitfy And Assess Hidden Assumptions In The Background Knowledge Of A Risk Assessment," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    6. Aven, Terje & Ylönen, Marja, 2018. "A risk interpretation of sociotechnical safety perspectives," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 13-18.
    7. Yin, Xuanpeng & Xu, Xuanhua & Pan, Bin, 2021. "Selection of Strategy for Large Group Emergency Decision-making based on Risk Measurement," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).

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