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Transition in Complex Polycentric Contexts: Trusting and Multifunctional Semantics
Author(s) -
Neisig Margit
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
systems research and behavioral science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 45
eISSN - 1099-1743
pISSN - 1092-7026
DOI - 10.1002/sres.2450
Subject(s) - distrust , transition (genetics) , function (biology) , danish , reflection (computer programming) , epistemology , order (exchange) , selection (genetic algorithm) , transition management (governance) , semantics (computer science) , sociology , knowledge management , public relations , computer science , business , management , political science , artificial intelligence , linguistics , economics , corporate governance , law , philosophy , chemistry , gene , programming language , biochemistry , finance , evolutionary biology , biology
This article shows how the interplay of different function systems creates distrust and paradoxes in complex polycentric transition processes. This issue is captured by an abductive, qualitative, single‐case study on a highly polycentric pilot project in a Danish public job centre. The results suggest that the emergence of a multifunctional semantic reservoir is crucial for navigating function‐systemic blind spots by stimulating higher‐order observation and reflection and building trust in polycentric settings. This is a prerequisite for allowing paradoxes to drive transition and not become barriers. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.