Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

On Complementarity and the Need for a Transdisciplinary Approach in Addressing Emerging Global Health Issues

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Complex Systems

Abstract

Systems are increasing in complexity as the world becomes more globally connected. The pervasiveness of information, education, and connectivity has forced individuals to devise new ways to think about problems. Most complex problems no longer reside neatly within the boundaries of a single discipline. As a result, addressing these problems requires problem solvers to broaden their perspectives and to think across disciplines. This chapter explores the concept of complementarity as a motivation for seeking transdisciplinary solutions to problems. Through the lens of complementarity, the case will be made for the utility of adopting a transdisciplinary perspective to modern, complex problems unable to be addressed using a single discipline. It then provides three unique perspectives (engineering, global health, and education) through which to view the analysis of a singular problem, that of emerging health issues such as the current Ebola virus disease crisis in the world. Next, these perspectives will be examined using cognitive mapping, forming an approach to adopt a transdisciplinary perspective, which yields insights not possible by each of the disparate disciplines alone. This approach is then demonstrated on a sample problem. Finally, conclusions and recommendations for future research are identified.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
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

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Funke, J. (1991). Solving complex problems: Exploration and control of complex systems. In R. J. Sternberg & P. A. Frensch (Eds.), Complex problem solving: Principles and mechanisms (pp. 185–222). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Jackson, M. C. (2009). Fifty years of systems thinking for management. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 60, S24–S32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Boulding, K. (1956). General systems theory—The skeleton of science. Management Science, 2(3), 197–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Jackson, M. C. (2003). Systems thinking: Creative holism for managers. Chichester: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Jackson, M. C., & Keys, P. (1984). Towards a system of systems methodologies. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 35(6), 473–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Jackson, M. C. (1990). Beyond a system of systems methodologies. Journal of the Operational Research Society, 41(8), 657–668.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Flood, R. L., & Jackson, M. C. (1991). Creative problem solving: Total systems intervention. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hester, P. T., & Adams, K. M. (2014). Systemic thinking: Fundamentals for understanding problems and messes. Cham: Springer International.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Bohr, N. (1928). The quantum postulate and the recent development of atomic theory. Nature, 121(3050), 580–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Adams, K. M. (2011). Systems principles: Foundation for the SoSE methodology. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2(2/3), 120–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Aerts, D., Apostel, L., De Moor, B., Hellemans, S., Maex, E., Van Belle, H., et al. (1994). World views: From fragmentation to integration. Brussels: VUB Press.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Checkland, P. B. (1981). Systems thinking, systems practice. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Adams, K. M., & Meyers, T. J. (2011). Perspective 1 of the SoSE methodology: Framing the system under study. International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2(2/3), 163–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Crowley, L. V. (2007). An introduction to human disease: Pathology and pathophysiology correlations (7th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  15. World Health Organization. (1948). WHO definition of Health. Preamble to the Constitution of the World Health Organization as adopted by the International Health Conference, New York, 19–22 June 1946; signed on 22 July 1946 by the representatives of 61 States (Official Records of the World Health Organization, no. 2, p. 100) and entered into force on 7 April 1948.

    Google Scholar 

  16. engineering. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged. Retrieved January 7, 2015, from Dictionary.com website: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/engineering

  17. IEEE ISO/IEC. (2010). IEEE and ISO/IEC Standard 24765: Systems and software engineering—Vocabulary (pp. 1–418). New York and Geneva: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Goode, H., & Machol, R. (1957). Systems engineering: An introduction to the design of large-scale systems. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Hall, A. D. (1962). A methodology for systems engineering. Princeton, NJ: D. Van Nostrand Company Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Smuts, J. (1926). Holism and evolution. New York: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Barker, P. M., McCannon, C. J., Mehta, N., Green, C., Youngleson, M. S., Yarrow, J., et al. (2007). Strategies for the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy in South Africa through health system optimization. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 196, S457–S463.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Chen, S.-C., & Liao, C.-M. (2008). Modelling control measures to reduce the impact of pandemic influenza among schoolchildren. Epidemiology and Infection, 136(8), 1035–1045.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Davey, V. J., Cannon, D. C., & Glass, R. J. (2010, December). The effect of healthcare environments on a pandemic influenza outbreak. Paper presented at Modeling for Public Health Action: From Epidemiology to Operations, Atlanta, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Fried, L., Bentley, M., Buekens, P., Burke, D., Frenk, J., Klag, M., et al. (2010). Global health is public health. The Lancet, 375(9714), 535–537.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Possas, C. A. (2001). Social ecosystem health: Confronting the complexity and emergence of infectious diseases. Cadernos De Saúde Pública, 17(1), 31–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Levins, R., Awerbuch, T., Brinman, U., Eck-hard, I., Epstein, P., Ford, T., et al. (1996). Globalization, development and the spread of diseases. In J. Mander & E. Goldsmith (Eds.), The case against global economy (pp. 161–170). New York: Sierra Club Books.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Stoltzfus, J., Carter, J., Akpinar-Elci, M., Matu, M., Kimotho, V., Giganti, M., et al. (2014). Interaction between climatic, environmental, and demographic factors on cholera outbreaks in Kenya. Infectious Diseases of Poverty, 3, 37. doi:10.1186/2049-9957-3-37.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Margot, W., & Parkes, L. B. (2005). All hands on deck: Transdisciplinary approaches to emerging infectious disease. EcoHealth, 2(4), 258–272. doi:10.1007/s10393-005-8387-y.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Daszak, P., Zambrana-Torrelio, C., Bogich, T., Fernandez, M., Epstein, J. H., Murray, K. A., et al. (2013). Interdisciplinary approaches to understanding disease emergence: The past, present, and future drivers of Nipah virus emergence. PNAS, 110(1), 3681–3688.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Aboelela, S. W., Larson, E., Bakken, S., Carrasquillo, O., Formicola, A., Glied, S. A., et al. (2007). Defining interdisciplinary research: Conclusions from a critical review of the literature. Health Services Research, 42(1), 329–346. doi:10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00621.x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Gonzalez, J.-P., Lambert, G., Legand, A., & Debré, P. (2011). Toward a transdisciplinary understanding and a global control of emerging infectious diseases. Journal of Infection in Developing Countries, 5(12), 903–905.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Ackoff, R. (1999). Recreating the corporation. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  33. McNall, M. A., Barnes-Najor, J. V., Brown, R. E., Doberneck, D., & Fitzgerald, H. E. (2015). Systemic engagement: Universities as partners in systemic approaches to community change. Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement, 19(1), 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Engestrom, Y., Engestrom, R., & Karkkainen, M. (1995). Polycontextuality and boundary crossing in expert cognition: Learning and problem solving in complex work activities. Learning and Intervention, 5, 319–336.

    Google Scholar 

  35. Fook, J., d’Avray, L., Norrie, C., Psoinos, M., Lamb, B., & Ross, F. (2013). Taking the long view: Exploring the development of interprofessional education. Journal of interprofessional Care, 27(4), 286–291.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Adams, K. M., & Hester, P. T. (2013). Accounting for errors when using systems approaches. Procedia Computer Science, 20, 318–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Axelrod, R. (1976). Structure of decision: The cognitive maps of political elites. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kosko, B. (1986). Fuzzy cognitive maps. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies, 24, 65–75.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA

    Patrick T. Hester Ph.D., Muge Akpinar-Elci M.D., M.P.H., James M. Shaeffer Sr. Ph.D. & Margaret B. Shaeffer Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Patrick T. Hester Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Muge Akpinar-Elci M.D., M.P.H.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. James M. Shaeffer Sr. Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Margaret B. Shaeffer Ph.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrick T. Hester Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kahlen Global Professional Solutions , Gronau, Germany

    Franz-Josef Kahlen

  2. Department of Organizational Leadership School of Education and Human Services, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA

    Shannon Flumerfelt

  3. Department of Production and Systems School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

    Anabela Alves

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hester, P.T., Akpinar-Elci, M., Shaeffer, J.M., Shaeffer, M.B. (2017). On Complementarity and the Need for a Transdisciplinary Approach in Addressing Emerging Global Health Issues. In: Kahlen, J., Flumerfelt, S., Alves, A. (eds) Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Complex Systems. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-38756-7_8

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation