what-when-how
In Depth Tutorials and Information
1.1 Introduction
he term
sociotechnicalsystems
is generally used for systems where human beings
and organizations interact with technology. However, within the literature, there
are many different interpretations of what aspect of the interactions between the
social and technological parts constitute a sociotechnical study. In this chapter
we will explore the definitions of sociotechnical networks within the context
of this topic and identify the various perspectives through which they will be
analyzed in subsequent chapters. In general, when we discuss sociotechnical
networks in this topic, we are referring to systems such as the Internet, power
grids and transportation networks enabled by data communication networks,
and telecommunication networks. hus, the focus is on the technological net-
work and understanding the complexities of designing, managing, and operat-
ing such networks using social/organization networks. his sets the focus apart
from work process design or ergonomics, and concentrates on the design and
architecture of large-scale technological networks that are influenced and that
in turn impact a social network of people and organizations with different goals
and values.
Here we define a sociotechnical system as a dynamic entity comprised of inter-
dependent and interacting social/institutional and physical/technological parts,
characterized by inputs, processes/actions, and outputs/products.
Sociotechnical systems are usually composed of a group of related component
and subsystems, for which the degree and nature of the relationships are not always
clearly understood. hey have large, long-lived impacts that span over a wide
geographical area. Many have integrated subsystems coupled through feedback
loops and are affected by social, political, and economic issues (Mostashari and
Sussman, 2009).
Examples of systems that fall within this category are transportation networks,
telecommunication systems, energy systems, the World Wide Web, water alloca-
tion systems, financial networks, etc. Such systems have wide-ranging impacts, and
are characterized by different types and levels of complexity, uncertainty, risk, as
well as large number of stakeholders (Mostashari, 2005).
1.2 TightlyCoupledSocialand
TechnologicalHierarchies
A sociotechnological system/network normally consists of at least two (and some-
times three) interacting and tightly coupled networks of components. One layer
includes the physical/technological components of the system, and the other layer
the social/institutional components, which are usually connected through an infor-
mation network (Figure 1.1). Within each of these layers the components relate to
each other in a hierarchy (Figures 1.2).
