The Fundão Tailings Dam Catastrophe …
387
The originality of this research is based on the case analysis from the perspective of organizational complexity, especially in the elements of complex systems.
The highlighted elements were the non-linearity, the high number of interactions
between agents, with each one making decisions about how to behave, unpredictability, dynamism and surprises. All of these led to the emergence of an overall behavior
that cannot be described merely by describing the interacting parts. It is a differentiated approach, taking into account the lack of control over all the variables of a
complex system, as analyzed in this case.
2 Complex Systems and Sustainable Development
Dams are complex and very sensitive systems. They are technical, environmental
and social entities in which negligence, errors and failures can emerge from human
actions. How and why do such systems change overtime due to a variety of organizational and environmental factors that continue to challenge their operations and
performance?
The world functions as a set of complex systems that move in a self-organized
way and show characteristics that emerge from interaction between the parts of each
system and each other. Organizations and the environment are considered complex
adaptive systems because they are in constant evolution and self-organization rather
than presenting balanced and stable growth (Holland 1997; Pascale et al. 2000;
Gleiser 2002). To adapt and evolve, these systems must be on the brink of chaos,
a state in which stability and instability exist side by side, capable of making the
system more creative, flexible and agile. Dams are unique complex systems. Like
nuclear and chemical plants, they are sensitive to negligence, errors and failures.
Unlike other complex systems, dams are not self-organized.
The interactive complexity of the system is the trigger that brings about selforganization and change. Simple principles, when combined in a nonlinear manner,
lead to complexity and novel properties of the system. It may not be possible to
anticipate these novel properties (Perrow 1999). Thus, a complex system coexists
with a degree of uncertainty, random behavior and unpredictability.
Sustainable development is clearly loaded with values, with a strong relationship
between the principles, ethics, beliefs and values on which a community and its
concept of sustainability is based (Dahl 1997). This is a multidimensional concept,
as it has relationships of interdependence between various dimensions, composing
a complex system in which human beings are included. Considering sustainability,
a dynamic and complex concept that encompasses a process of change, we consider
the inherent risks of this complex system and especially the challenge of promoting
effectiveness and reliability.
387
The originality of this research is based on the case analysis from the perspective of organizational complexity, especially in the elements of complex systems.
The highlighted elements were the non-linearity, the high number of interactions
between agents, with each one making decisions about how to behave, unpredictability, dynamism and surprises. All of these led to the emergence of an overall behavior
that cannot be described merely by describing the interacting parts. It is a differentiated approach, taking into account the lack of control over all the variables of a
complex system, as analyzed in this case.
2 Complex Systems and Sustainable Development
Dams are complex and very sensitive systems. They are technical, environmental
and social entities in which negligence, errors and failures can emerge from human
actions. How and why do such systems change overtime due to a variety of organizational and environmental factors that continue to challenge their operations and
performance?
The world functions as a set of complex systems that move in a self-organized
way and show characteristics that emerge from interaction between the parts of each
system and each other. Organizations and the environment are considered complex
adaptive systems because they are in constant evolution and self-organization rather
than presenting balanced and stable growth (Holland 1997; Pascale et al. 2000;
Gleiser 2002). To adapt and evolve, these systems must be on the brink of chaos,
a state in which stability and instability exist side by side, capable of making the
system more creative, flexible and agile. Dams are unique complex systems. Like
nuclear and chemical plants, they are sensitive to negligence, errors and failures.
Unlike other complex systems, dams are not self-organized.
The interactive complexity of the system is the trigger that brings about selforganization and change. Simple principles, when combined in a nonlinear manner,
lead to complexity and novel properties of the system. It may not be possible to
anticipate these novel properties (Perrow 1999). Thus, a complex system coexists
with a degree of uncertainty, random behavior and unpredictability.
Sustainable development is clearly loaded with values, with a strong relationship
between the principles, ethics, beliefs and values on which a community and its
concept of sustainability is based (Dahl 1997). This is a multidimensional concept,
as it has relationships of interdependence between various dimensions, composing
a complex system in which human beings are included. Considering sustainability,
a dynamic and complex concept that encompasses a process of change, we consider
the inherent risks of this complex system and especially the challenge of promoting
effectiveness and reliability.