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Nonlinear dynamics, complex systems, and occupational accidents
Author(s) -
Guastello Stephen J.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
human factors and ergonomics in manufacturing and service industries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.408
H-Index - 39
eISSN - 1520-6564
pISSN - 1090-8471
DOI - 10.1002/hfm.10045
Subject(s) - attractor , hum , nonlinear system , complex system , complex dynamics , factory (object oriented programming) , computer science , chaos (operating system) , dynamics (music) , work (physics) , risk analysis (engineering) , statistical physics , management science , engineering , computer security , business , psychology , mathematics , physics , artificial intelligence , mechanical engineering , art , mathematical analysis , pedagogy , performance art , programming language , art history , quantum mechanics
This article explains how some concepts of nonlinear dynamics—attractors, bifurcations, catastrophes, chaos, and self‐organization—contribute to the explanation of deterministic processes in occupational accidents. Empirical results from factory, transportation, and health care settings are compared. The complex dynamics of chaos and self‐organization have recently become more important as work systems themselves have become more complex. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Hum Factors Man 13: 293–304, 2003.