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Methodology of Complex Activity

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Handbook of Systems Sciences

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Abstract

The methodology of complex activity (MCA) is a system of formal models that, from a systems science perspective, generalizes nontrivial human activity and the operation of enterprises and complex (sociotechnical) systems. Complex activity (CA) is defined as one with a nontrivial internal structure and with multiple and/or changing actors/players, methods, and roles of the subject matter of activity in its relevant context. A dialectically coupled pair – a complex activity and a sociotechnical system that is a complex player in activity – is the subject matter of MCA.

The complexity of the activity requires the study of:

  • The structure of complex activity.

  • Not only the CA itself – its direct implementation – but also the organization of the CA, the creation of its technology. Therefore, CA is considered during the whole lifecycle – from demand to reflection.

  • The uncertainty of CA, including the active choice of people and their creative activity. Uncertainty is considered not only a source of problems but also a source of development – the creation of a new CA.

As a result of studying complex activity:

  • CA is a primary element in the pair <complex activity – sociotechnical system>.

  • Practically all the elements of CA, excluding elementary operations, are management in a broad sense.

  • Only a synthesis of the technology of another CA is a creative and actual complex activity. The remaining elements of CA are largely routine and mechanistic. It is the synthesis that determines the future result of CA and the effectiveness of CA to the greatest extent.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. IBS Company, Moscow, Russia

    Mikhail V. Belov

  2. Trapeznikov Institute of Control Sciences, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

    Dmitry A. Novikov

Authors
  1. Mikhail V. Belov
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  2. Dmitry A. Novikov
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mikhail V. Belov .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Leadership and Management, Saybrook University, Ashland, KY, USA

    Gary S. Metcalf

  2. Grad Sch of Decision Sci & Tech, Tokyo Institute of Technology Grad Sch of Decision Sci & Tech, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Kyoichi Kijima

  3. CABSSS, Tokyo Institute of Technology CABSSS, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan

    Hiroshi Deguchi

Section Editor information

  1. Grad Sch of Decision Sci & Tech, Tokyo Institute of Technology Grad Sch of Decision Sci & Tech, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Japan

    Kyoichi Kijima

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Belov, M.V., Novikov, D.A. (2020). Methodology of Complex Activity. In: Metcalf, G.S., Kijima, K., Deguchi, H. (eds) Handbook of Systems Sciences. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0370-8_6-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0370-8_6-1

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-0370-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-0370-8

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