Introduction to Tensions, Emergence, and Generative Mechanisms in Complex Sociotechnical Systems Minitrack

Tensions, emergence, and generative mechanisms are ubiquitous in complex sociotechnical systems in wide ranging contexts including but not limited to e-health, mobile platforms, integrated supply chains, innovation ecosystems, and online communities. Conflicting demands, contradictory practices, and competing views create tension that can energize or inhibit the emergence of effective action and create unintended consequences in complex socio-technical systems. There is a growing literature on tensions, duality, emergence, and generative mechanisms as alternatives to contingency and structural theories. Likewise, complexity theory and agent based modeling are increasingly being used to understand complex social phenomena in information systems and organizational research, particularly in the areas of interdependencies, emergence, and generative science. The track focuses on papers that theoretically or empirically advance our understanding of how tensions, emergence, and generative mechanisms can be leveraged, enhanced, and honed to create new and frame-breaking opportunities, enhance their understanding, and ensure successful coevolution of complex sociotechnical systems in dynamic environments.