Managing complexity: the case of nanomaterials

The profile management of nanomaterials requires a complicated synergy between component function and shape, material, process, and costs. This study attempts to uncover these relationships by grouping nanomaterial profile components with matching characteristics using cluster analysis. The analysis resulted in the identification of 11 distinct clusters, out of which the physicochemical properties appear to have the higher complexity. We found that this is an efficient method for inspecting the heterogeneity of the nanomaterial profile building blocks and for quantifying nanomaterial characteristics. Using the Cynefin framework, we identified the parameters, which allowed us to comprehend the complexity of the issues, design relative strategies, and overcome difficulties stemming from the application of reductionist approaches on complicated circumstances. It introduces the emergence and implications of “complex” approaches within nanomaterial profile. Cost lies in the disorder domain and the urgency to address the critical issue of asymmetric information calls to understand complex relations. The crux of the issue is the lack of a connected profiling chain that links the nanomaterial development process steps, cost, risk, and toxicity studies, which could reduce opposition from “nano-skeptics” providing sufficient safeguards given the predictive growth of nanomaterials.