Escalation: Explorative studies of high-risk situations from the theoretical perspectives of complexity and joint cognitive systems

Sammanfattning: The main aim of the research is to explore different aspects of organisational resilience in escalating situations, with an investigation of both theoretical and practical implications. From the platform of an explorative approach, this study makes use of naturalistic research in the domain of health care and experimental simulation studies, in order to establish a broad theoretical framework vis-à-vis the processes of escalation. Rather than treating notions of crisis as processes taking place outside the organisation, the thesis outlines a view of escalation as an inherent part of organisational reproduction and structure, rooted in historical relations of power and professional identities. The thesis goes on to look at pragmatic implications in areas such as the establishment of efficient coordination structures in escalating situations, and team performance assessment.