Authors: Ottens, Maarten¹; Franssen, Maarten¹; Kroes, Peter¹; Poel, Ibo Van De²

Source: International Journal of Critical Infrastructures, Volume 2, Numbers 2-3, 31 March 2006 , pp. 133-145(13)

Publisher: Inderscience Publishers

Abstract:

The conceptualisation of the notion of a system in systems engineering, as exemplified in, for instance, the engineering standard IEEE Std 1220 1998 (1999), is problematic when applied to the design of socio-technical systems. This is argued using Intelligent Transportation Systems as an example. A preliminary conceptualisation of socio-technical systems is introduced which includes technical and social elements and actors, as well as four kinds of relations. Current systems engineering practice incorporates technical elements and actors in the system but sees social elements exclusively as contextual. When designing socio-technical systems, however, social elements and the corresponding relations must also be considered as belonging to the system.

Keywords: ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALS; Infrastructures; RISK, SAFETY AND EMERGENCY JOURNALS; Risk and Emergency Management

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1504/IJCIS.2006.009433

Affiliations: 1: TPM, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5015, 2600 GA, Delft, The Netherlands. 2: TPM, Delft University of Technology, P.O. Box 5015, 2600 GA, Delft, The Netherlands

Publication date: 2006-03-31

More about this publication?

• The International Journal of Critical Infrastructures aims to provide an authoritative source of information and an unique international forum in the field of Risk and Vulnerability Assessment and Management of Vital Societal Systems exposed to antropogenic and natural threats. It intends to establish channels of communication and to disseminate the best practice, knowledge and state of the art science, and stakeholders involvement between policy makers, practitioners, researchers and academia working in the field.
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