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

Abstract

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.