Title: Transdisciplinary systems engineering: implications, challenges and research agenda

Authors: Nel Wognum; Cees Bil; Fredrik Elgh; Margherita Peruzzini; Josip Stjepandić; Wim J.C. Verhagen

Addresses: ATO Group, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Technical University of Delft, Kluyverweg 1, 2629HS Delft, The Netherlands ' School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia ' School of Engineering, Jönköping University, Jönköping, Sweden ' Department Engineering Enzo Ferrari, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125 Modena, Italy ' PROSTEP AG, Dolivostrasse 11, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany ' ATO Group, Faculty of Aerospace Engineering, Technical University of Delft, Kluyverweg 1, 2629HS Delft, The Netherlands

Abstract: Transdisciplinary processes have been the subject of research since several decades already. Transdisciplinary processes are aimed at solving ill-defined and socially relevant problems. Many researchers have studied transdisciplinary processes and have tried to understand the essentials of transdisciplinarity. Many engineering problems can be characterised as ill-defined and socially relevant, too. Although transdisciplinary engineering cannot widely be found in the literature yet, a transdisciplinary approach is deemed relevant for many engineering problems. With this paper we aim to present an overview of the literature on research into transdisciplinary processes and investigate the relevance of a transdisciplinary approach in engineering domains. After a brief description of past research on transdisciplinarity, implications for engineering research, engineering practice, and engineering education are identified. In all three areas, the current situation is described, while challenges are identified that still exist. The paper ends with a research agenda for transdisciplinary engineering.

Keywords: transdisciplinary systems; transdisciplinary processes; transdisciplinary engineering; transdisciplinary research; engineering education; project-based learning; Industry 4.0; transdisciplinary collaboration; social relevance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJASM.2019.098728

International Journal of Agile Systems and Management, 2019 Vol.12 No.1, pp.58 - 89

Received: 22 Nov 2018
Accepted: 13 Dec 2018

Published online: 01 Apr 2019 *

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