Toward tunable advantages of quantum-like teams: the physics of interdependent teams to “squeeze” uncertainty

Purpose The aim of this study is to provide a mathematical physics of entropy to organize and operate teams, whether teams are composed of humans, human–machine–AI, or any combination thereof. Method We review three (3) case studies and two (2) field studies of interdependence. The first case study concerns 7-year-long oscillations between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which ended when South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) requested the public’s help. The second case study addresses randomness in business merger decisions. The third case study examines the validation crisis in social psychology, illustrated by the contrast between self-reports of suicidal ideation and suicide. The first field study explores the advantages under freedom versus command decision making (CDM), and the final field study addresses the physics of time-energy uncertainty. Data Guided by theory, the data provide information from the three case studies to test interdependence theory. For the two field studies, data are drawn from international data bases (e.g., the UN and the World Bank). Results Limited support is provided for classical coupled harmonic oscillators; in comparison, significant support is found for interdependent (quantum-like) teamwork. Significance This study reviews and replicates earlier studies and generalizes findings to energy–time uncertainty relationships.

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Publication Details

Journal
Frontiers in Physics
Published
2026-01-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2025.1715888
Primary Topic
Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

Toward tunable advantages of quantum-like teams: the physics of interdependent teams to “squeeze” uncertainty

W. F. Lawless
Frontiers in Physics
Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
article

Toward tunable advantages of quantum-like teams: the physics of interdependent teams to “squeeze” uncertainty

W. F. Lawless
article en

Abstract

Purpose The aim of this study is to provide a mathematical physics of entropy to organize and operate teams, whether teams are composed of humans, human–machine–AI, or any combination thereof. Method We review three (3) case studies and two (2) field studies of interdependence. The first case study concerns 7-year-long oscillations between the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which ended when South Carolina’s Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) requested the public’s help. The second case study addresses randomness in business merger decisions. The third case study examines the validation crisis in social psychology, illustrated by the contrast between self-reports of suicidal ideation and suicide. The first field study explores the advantages under freedom versus command decision making (CDM), and the final field study addresses the physics of time-energy uncertainty. Data Guided by theory, the data provide information from the three case studies to test interdependence theory. For the two field studies, data are drawn from international data bases (e.g., the UN and the World Bank). Results Limited support is provided for classical coupled harmonic oscillators; in comparison, significant support is found for interdependent (quantum-like) teamwork. Significance This study reviews and replicates earlier studies and generalizes findings to energy–time uncertainty relationships.

Frontiers in PhysicsVol. 13
Paine College (US)
Office of Naval Research
Peace, Justice and strong institutions
Openalex Percentile: Top 92%
Innovation, Sustainability, Human-Machine Systems
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