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  • Book
  • © 2014

Systems Engineering, Systems Thinking, and Learning

A Case Study in Space Industry

  • Presents a novel framework, based on activity theory, for analysing of multidisciplinary team working
  • Gives insight into how systems thinking evolves in practice and how it can be improved
  • Presents the development, implementation and partial evaluation of a new strategy (WAVES) to improve evolution of systems thinking in practice
  • Contributes to a better understanding of systems engineering, systems thinking, and its learning in practice

Part of the book series: Understanding Complex Systems (UCS)

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages 1-19
  2. Introduction of the Research Project

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-2
    2. Introduction

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 3-9
    3. Systems Engineering and Learning

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 11-57
    4. Research Approach

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 59-97
  3. Analysis and Findings of the Empirical Studies

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 99-100
    2. Description of Empirical Studies

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 101-123
    3. Activity-Theoretical Analysis and Findings

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 125-164
    4. Contradiction-Driven Theme-and-Key-Event Analysis

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 165-250
  4. Results, Intervention, and Contributions

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 251-252
    2. Results and Discussion

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 253-278
    3. Support: The WAVES Strategy

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 279-310
    4. Summary of Main Results, Contributions, and Outlook

      • Hubert Anton Moser
      Pages 311-314
  5. Back Matter

    Pages 315-326

About this book

This book focuses on systems engineering, systems thinking, and how that thinking can be learned in practice. It describes a novel analytical framework based on activity theory for understanding how systems thinking evolves and how it can be improved to support multidisciplinary teamwork in the context of system development and systems engineering. This method, developed using data collected over four years from three different small space systems engineering organizations, can be applied in a wide variety of work activities in the context of engineering design and beyond in order to monitor and analyze multidisciplinary interactions in working teams over time. In addition, the book presents a practical strategy called WAVES (Work Activity for a Evolution of Systems engineering and thinking), which fosters the practical learning of systems thinking with the aim of improving process development in different industries. The book offers an excellent resource for researchers and practitioners interested in systems thinking and in solutions to support its evolution. Beyond its contribution to a better understanding of systems engineering, systems thinking and how it can be learned in real-world contexts, it also introduce a suitable analysis framework that helps to bridge the gap between the latest social science research and engineering research.

Authors and Affiliations

  • LuxSpace Sàrl, Betzdorf, Luxembourg

    Hubert Anton Moser

About the author

Hubert Moser received his PhD in Engineering Sciences from the University of Luxemburg in 2013, with a thesis in Public Private Partnership with LuxSpace. Since 2008 he has been working as a systems engineer for LuxSpace Sarl in Betzdorf (Luxemburg), focusing on two main projects: the thermal and mechanical design, integration and testing for AIS projects; and the conceptual design of the ALOA (Advanced Low Earth Orbit Communication) Payload.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access