Emergent synthesis approach for understanding the value of artifacts for individuals and society

The concept of emergent synthesis provides a useful guideline to understand the complexity of actual problems to be solved in a systematic way. However, it is intrinsically difficult to understand the value of artifacts for individuals and society because there are many aspects of value. This paper discusses how previous studies on emergent synthesis in several fields have approached various aspects of value. Then it proposes the strategy for analysis and synthesis of value of products and services in the internet of things era. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.