Temporal criticality in socio-technical systems

Socio-technical systems (STSs) are complex systems where human elements (individuals, groups and larger organisations), technology and infrastructure combine, and interact, in a goal-oriented manner. Their functionalities require designed or planned interactions among the system elements -- humans and technology -- often spread across geographical space. The pathways for these interactions are designed and planned with the aim of providing operational stability of STSs, and they are embedded within technological infrastructures \cite{Kaur2022}. Playing crucial roles in health services, transport, communications, energy provision, food supply, and, more generally, in the coordinated production of goods and services, they make our societies function. STSs exist at many different levels, from niche systems like neighborhood garbage disposal, to intermediate systems such as regional/national waste management, reaching up to systems of systems, e.g., global climate coordination in a world economy.