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Levels of abstraction in human supervisory control teams

Levels of abstraction in human supervisory control teams Purpose – This paper aims to report a study into the levels of abstraction hierarchy (LOAH) in two energy distribution teams. The original proposition for the LOAH was that it depicted five levels of system representation, working from functional purpose through to physical form to determine causes of a malfunction, or from physical form to functional purpose to determine the purpose of system function. The LOAH has been widely used throughout human supervisory control research to explain individual behaviour. The research seeks to focus on the application the LOAH to human supervisory control teams in semi‐automated “intelligent” systems. Design/methodology/approach – A series of interviews were conducted in two energy distribution companies. Findings – The results of the study suggest that people in the teams are predominantly operating at different levels of system representation, depending on their role. Managerial personnel work at functional purpose and abstract function levels, whereas operational personnel work at physical function and physical form levels. It is argued that both types of personnel are part of the wider distributed problem‐solving system, which includes both people and technology. Originality/value – The research provides useful information on the application of the LOAH to human supervisory control teams in semi‐automated “intelligent” systems. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Enterprise Information Management Emerald Publishing

Levels of abstraction in human supervisory control teams

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References (32)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1741-0398
DOI
10.1108/17410390610708535
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Purpose – This paper aims to report a study into the levels of abstraction hierarchy (LOAH) in two energy distribution teams. The original proposition for the LOAH was that it depicted five levels of system representation, working from functional purpose through to physical form to determine causes of a malfunction, or from physical form to functional purpose to determine the purpose of system function. The LOAH has been widely used throughout human supervisory control research to explain individual behaviour. The research seeks to focus on the application the LOAH to human supervisory control teams in semi‐automated “intelligent” systems. Design/methodology/approach – A series of interviews were conducted in two energy distribution companies. Findings – The results of the study suggest that people in the teams are predominantly operating at different levels of system representation, depending on their role. Managerial personnel work at functional purpose and abstract function levels, whereas operational personnel work at physical function and physical form levels. It is argued that both types of personnel are part of the wider distributed problem‐solving system, which includes both people and technology. Originality/value – The research provides useful information on the application of the LOAH to human supervisory control teams in semi‐automated “intelligent” systems.

Journal

Journal of Enterprise Information Management – Emerald Publishing

Published: Nov 1, 2006

Keywords: Team working; Line managers; Individual behaviour

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