In this thesis, I demonstrate that the theory and practice of contemporary institution forming, in community, business, administration and governance, are dominated by approaches that prevent us finding that which is now most urgently sought. This is an understanding of the endogenous origins and nature of social change and innovation, and the means by which it can be managed. I point directly at an alternative, provide an exposition of its potential and implications, both theoretical and applied, and propose a conceptual framework for its further application and extension. Methodologies appropriate to such a theory will include both simulation and qualitative research, in particular situated narrative. For the former, agent based simulation is most appropriate. For the latter, a 'naturalistic inquiry' method is most appropriate as it best highlights the importance of keeping track of phenomenal domain from which situations are being interpreted and explained. These combined techniques make possible a rigorous development of social theory denied where the extremes of positivism or relativism are embraced along the dimensions of the existing modernist/post-modernist divide. Agent based computational theory and method is currently dominated by cognitive and representationalist models. These are inconsistent with the assumptions necessary to bring to the fore the implications of complexity for social analysis. One of the most important contributions of this work is the development of a theory of agency consistent with that required if sources of order other than deliberate action in a boundedly rational decision space are to be considered. This is essential if the full import of complexity for understanding social dynamics is to be explored. This theory of agency takes the form of a social meta-model as a guide to future development and research. The work concludes with a brief exposition of a research program needed to advance the ideas presented. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (Social Ecology)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/189452 |
| Date | January 1999 |
| Creators | Goldspink, Chris, University of Western Sydney, Faculty of Social Inquiry |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
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