Pearson, R L (2024) A sociotechnical systems approach to water infrastructure decision making. PhD thesis, University of Washington, USA.
Abstract
The increasing complexity and interdependence of global water and energy systems demand innovative approaches to ensure sustainable infrastructure. This dissertation examines the sociotechnical interactions shaping water and energy infrastructure through a systems lens. It highlights how decision-making by both organizational stakeholders and individual users impacts infrastructure sustainability, resilience, and equity. This research comprises three studies that explore the intersection of human behavior, technical operations, and infrastructure outcomes. First, a case study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, evaluates the successes and challenges of WASH behavior change programs, focusing on their influence on student and teacher engagement. Second, semi-structured interviews with stakeholders in rural Alaskan communities reveal the decision-making processes behind water source selection in drinking water projects, emphasizing the interplay of technical feasibility and community needs. Lastly, the integration of renewable energy into water treatment systems is investigated using energy audit data and HOMER software to assess the technical and economic viability of solar microgrids. By combining qualitative and quantitative methods, this dissertation bridges gaps in existing literature that often focus on technical or social dimensions in isolation. It contributes to the field by advancing the eco-sociotechnical systems framework, offering actionable insights into how infrastructure design and operation can align with user behavior, stakeholder priorities, and sustainability goals. The findings underscore the need for holistic approaches that integrate technical innovations with a deep understanding of human and social factors to achieve equitable and resilient infrastructure systems.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Kaminsky, J |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Ethiopia; audit; case study; complexity; decision making; integration; renewable energy; stakeholder; sustainability |
| Index terms: | energy system, holistic approach, interaction, dimension, dissertation, interdependence, systems framework, infrastructure sustainability, case study, decision-making process, audit, social factor, energy audit, decision-making, integration, program, quantitative method, complexity, renewable energy, interview, behaviour change, Ethiopia, human behaviour |
| Subjects: | systems engineering, organizational analysis, sociology, decision analysis, performance measurement, software systems, data analysis and analytics, energy systems, health monitoring assessment and metrics, data collection methods, business, behavioral psychology, sustainable engineering, Geography, analytical methods, health behaviours and lifestyles, research dissemination and communication |
| Topics: | Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Health and Safety, Sustainability, Risk Management, Quality Management, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Digital Applications, Organizational Design |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here