D 2026

Climbing Knowledge Hills: Systemic Thinking and the Topography of Lucky Discovery

SPURNÝ, Josef

Basic information

Original name

Climbing Knowledge Hills: Systemic Thinking and the Topography of Lucky Discovery

Authors

SPURNÝ, Josef

Edition

Climbing Knowledge Hills: Systemic Thinking and the Topography of Lucky Discovery, p. 5141-5150, 10 pp. 2026

Publisher

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Proceedings paper

Confidentiality degree

is not subject to a state or trade secret

Publication form

electronic version available online

References:

Marked to be transferred to RIV

No

Organization

Fakulta informatiky – Repository – Repository

ISBN

978-0-9981331-9-5

Keywords in English

creativity; knowledge flow; network science; complex systems; serendipidity
Changed: 20/1/2026 00:50, RNDr. Daniel Jakubík

Abstract

In the original language

This conceptual paper explores the role of systemic thinking and luck in scientific collaboration. Innovative ideas often emerge from interdisciplinarity, yet increasing specialization in science may have a negative effect on the knowledge transfer across different domains. We propose that familiarity with complex systems theory —- a universal conceptual framework -- may improve the likelihood of generating novel interdisciplinary insights and reduce knowledge friction. To illustrate this mechanism, we apply the concepts of energy landscapes and critical transitions. Selected principles of complex systems are presented to illustrate their cross-domain applicability. We conclude that adopting a systemic perspective can optimize the knowledge network between otherwise cognitively distant scientific communities, thereby increasing the probability of serendipitous and innovative knowledge combinations.

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