Nuclear physicists define the term, “critical mass” as the amount of fissile material whereby a nuclear reaction is self-sustaining.  From that original definition, the construct is further developed along societal and political terms as a function of the environment and number of adopters and their interdependencies that create enough of a consensus for individual actions that sustains an undertaking.

In 1996, the author published the first of several case studies on a societal interaction model based on the Relationships, Behavior and Conditions (RBC) construct among economic actors. Previously the model was only in the domain of academia.

This blog addresses contemporary issues from the RBC perspective and whether in the present state they are sustainable or not.  Many readers may be familiar with the “Innovation Adoption Curve.” RBC seeks to enlighten the causality of behaviors that cause movement towards the critical mass that generates movement along this diffusion curve.

Dr. Shemwell is an author for the following 3rd party blogs.

Since 2012 Dr. Shemwell has authored a bi-weekly blog in partnership with PennEnergy.  Governing Energy addresses contemporary management issues facing the global energy sector.

Link to Complete set of Governing Energy Blogs.

BTOES Insights is the content portal for Business Transformation & Operational Excellence opinions, reports & news.  Dr. Shemwell is a contributor.

1. Assuring Operational Excellence from Contractors and Their Subcontractors
2. Assuring Operational Excellence from Contractors and Their Subcontractors II: A Best Practice Model Abstract

Dr. Scott M. Shemwell has over 30 years technical and executive management experience primarily in the energy sector.  He is the author of six books and has written extensively about the field of operations.  Shemwell is the Managing Director of The Rapid Response Institute, a firm that focuses on providing its customers with solutions enabling Operational Excellence and regulatory compliance management.  He has studied cultural interactions for more than 30 years—his dissertation; Cross Cultural Negotiations Between Japanese and American Businessmen: A Systems Analysis (Exploratory Study) is an early peer reviewed manuscript addressing the systemic structure of societal relationships.