Showing papers in "Systems Research and Behavioral Science in 2011"
TL;DR: The new journal Behavioral Sciences seeks to publish original research and scholarship contributing to the understanding of human behavior, and will provide a forum for work that furthers knowledge and stimulates research in the behavioral sciences.
Abstract: On behalf of the Editorial Board and the editorial management staff of MDPI, it is my great pleasure to introduce this new journal Behavioral Sciences. Behavioral Sciences seeks to publish original research and scholarship contributing to our understanding of human behavior. The journal will provide a forum for work that furthers knowledge and stimulates research in the behavioral sciences. We are committed to building a diverse and methodologically rigorous literature of interest and benefit to behavioral and social scientists, as well as to clinical practitioners, educationalists, and the general public.
120 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss the application of systems thinking concepts and tools in establishing "Learning Laboratories" for sustainable development in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (CBBR) in Vietnam, where a Causal Loop Modeling (CLM) is used to determine the components and interactions between the policy, social, environmental and economic dimensions of the CBBR.
Abstract: This paper discusses the application of systems thinking concepts and tools in establishing ‘Learning Laboratories’ for Sustainable Development. It first presents a brief description of the potential value of utilising biosphere reserves for implementing the learning laboratories concept, followed by how systemic processes have been developed to establish a Learning Laboratory through a comprehensive pilot project in the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (CBBR) in Vietnam. In this project Causal Loop Modelling were used to determine the components and interactions between the policy, social, environmental and economic dimensions of the CBBR. The resultant model has been used to identify key leverage points and where systemic interventions will be most effective (potential research projects). The model also serves as a platform for learning and research collaboration through alliances and cross-sectoral teams to address the various domains, leverage points, and interventions identified. The role and importance of systems thinking methodology and applications to deal with ever-increasing complexities of sustainable development are discussed. The modelling approach and various processes that were used in this pilot project could be extended to other biosphere reserves in Vietnam and globally, in that way creating a worldwide network of ‘Learning Laboratories for Sustainable Development’. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
87 citations
TL;DR: The aim of the paper is to analyse dominant metaphors in knowledge management thinking, show their limitations by analysing their source domains, and then offer a better alternative.
Abstract: The aim of the paper is to analyse dominant metaphors in knowledge management thinking, show their limitations by analysing their source domains, and then offer a better alternative It has been demonstrated that metaphors play an important role in defining the concept of knowledge In knowledge management important ideas incorporated into the SECI model and other extended knowledge dynamics models are based on the metaphors that have their source domain in Newtonian dynamics These metaphors have limitations coming from some characteristics of the source domain that cannot be mapped onto the target domain, like the conservation law and linearity The other limitation is that these metaphors hide the fact that knowledge and emotion go together In order to integrate emotion into the knowledge concept we need a different set of four metaphors that have as a source domain the paradigm of thermodynamics Copyright # 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
52 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of disseminative capacity was introduced to analyze differences in the capacity of network members, and theoretical analysis and simulation results showed that the sizes of network, knowledge transfer speed and disseminative capabilities and absorptive capabilities of the individuals in the network have effect on knowledge equilibrium of networks over time.
Abstract: Past studies have suggested absorptive capacity plays very important role in knowledge transfer. However, less attention has been paid to the dual process of knowledge transfer, which covers knowledge dissemination and absorption. This study operationalizes the concept of disseminative capacity and analyses differences in disseminative capacity of network members. Theoretical analysis and simulation results showed that the sizes of network, knowledge transfer speed and disseminative capabilities and absorptive capabilities of the individuals in the network have effect on knowledge equilibrium of networks over time. Furthermore, the results showed that the more powerful is a dominant knowledge holder in the network, the quicker the network will converge to a specified knowledge state. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
48 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors focus on the drivers-pressures-state changes-impacts-respondenses (DPSIR) framework, which seeks to represent and hence enable the management of key relationships formed between natural systems, designed systems and social systems.
Abstract: Ever increasing and diverse use of the marine environment and consequent impacts on marine life, habitats and landscapes make prominent the need for policy and policy-making procedures that promote resilience and sustainability. In this paper, we focus on the Drivers-Pressures-State Changes-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) framework, which seeks to represent and hence enable the management of key relationships formed between natural systems, designed systems and social systems. The DPSIR framework is widely used to assess and manage the impact of policy changes and associated problems; however, a change is evident in recent applications of the approach: an expert-driven, evidence-focussed mode of use is giving way to the use of the framework as a heuristic device to facilitate engagement, communication and understanding between different stakeholders. In this paper, an assessment is made of how holistic DPSIR practice is in the context of the marine environment and we argue that the paradigmatic turn from realist to interpretivist reveals the DPSIR approach's multiparadigmatic and holistic potential.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, it is argued that Varela's experiential turn from epistemology to phenomenology can be seen as a natural progression that builds on many ideas that were already implicit in second-order cybernetics and biology of cognition.
Abstract: Varela is well known in the systems sciences for his work on second-order cybernetics, biology of cognition and especially autopoietic theory. His concern during this period was to find an appropriate epistemological foundation for the self-reference inherent in life and mind. In his later years, Varela began to develop the so-called ‘enactive’ approach to cognitive science, which sets itself apart from other sciences by promoting a careful consideration of concrete experiential insights. His final efforts were thus dedicated to finding a pragmatic phenomenological foundation for life and mind. It is argued that Varela’s experiential turn—from epistemology to phenomenology—can be seen as a natural progression that builds on many ideas that were already implicit in second-order cybernetics and biology of cognition. It is also suggested that the rigorous study of conscious experience may enable us to refine our theories and systemic concepts of life, mind and sociality. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
39 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors use general systems theory to describe how farmers use the three types of system regulators (aggregation, error control and anticipation) to manage variability in the environment, and present codling moth management as an example of system regulation in agriculture.
Abstract: Climate change is likely to increase the variability in environmental conditions that Australian farmers will have to contend with, potentially threatening farm viability. In this research we use general systems theory to describe how farmers use the three types of system regulators (aggregation, error control and anticipation) to manage variability in the environment. We present codling moth management as an example of system regulation in agriculture. We found that adaptation to climate change is likely to require that farmers modify the structure of their farm systems by changing their combination of system regulators. Decisions regarding changes in structure may favour certain types or system regulators over others. This has implications for policy development to support farm adaptation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
35 citations
TL;DR: A theory of knowledge construction systems, which consists of a knowledge construction system, a structure–agency–action paradigm, and evolutionary-constructive objectivism, is proposed, which comprises a model of collecting and synthesizing knowledge.
Abstract: This paper considers the problem of knowledge integration, and proposes a theory of knowledge construction systems, which consists of three fundamental parts: a knowledge construction system, a structure–agency–action paradigm, and evolutionary-constructive objectivism. The first part is a model of collecting and synthesizing knowledge, the second relates to necessary abilities of actors when collecting knowledge in individual domains, and the third comprises a set of principles to justify collected and synthesized knowledge. The paper starts with a brief introduction of our basic systems approach, called ‘informed systems thinking’, followed by a summary of our proposal: a theory of knowledge construction systems. The paper then explains its three fundamental parts, with a special emphasis on the types of knowledge integration, and finally gives a detailed explanation of the theory with an example. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
30 citations
TL;DR: The main problem that systems theory tries to solve is the problem of complexity, which is very often correlated to variables such as entropy and energy, organization and disorganization and others that eventually converge to the common ground of comprehensibility or incomprehensibility as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The main problem that systems theory tries to solve is the problem of complexity. The notion of complexity is very often correlated to variables such as entropy and energy, organization and disorganization and others that eventually converge to the common ground of comprehensibility or incomprehensibility. In this paper, we try to shed light on the notions of entropy and energy as they should be conceived in the theoretical framework of social sciences. We analyse the different meanings of entropy, dealing with the social systems as if they were information management systems (following Niklas Luhmann), and we also present an initial approach, as to the meaning of energy for those systems, bringing Pierre Bourdieu's theory of symbolic capital into a Luhmannian context. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
28 citations
TL;DR: This paper put forward the hypothesis that a contextual variable (organizational learning capability) and a subordinate's characteristic (employability) are antecedents of CR transactional leader behaviour, and empirically assessed the relationship between CR leader behaviour and a worker's individual performance.
Abstract: As many academics have pointed out, while researchers have learned a great deal about the effects of contingent reward (CR) leader behaviour, relatively little is known about its genesis. CR transactional leadership is traditionally viewed as an independent variable which exerts influence downstream. However, if we are to understand how to influence, improve or modify these downstream effects, we need to shift our focus upstream towards the study of transactional leadership as a dependent variable. In line with this reasoning, we put forward the hypothesis that a contextual variable (organizational learning capability) and a subordinate's characteristic (employability) are antecedents of CR transactional leader behaviour. These original relationships will be empirically assessed, alongside the well documented relationship between CR leader behaviour and a worker's individual performance. Our hypothesis was tested on a sample of 795 professors from 70 university departments, using structural equation methodology. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
27 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new ontology of process-structure is proposed as a metaphysical interface to the onto-epistemological paradigms of critical systems thinking and practice (which are, in this paper, functionalist-structuralist, interpretivist, critical-emancipatory and postmodern-poststructuralists).
Abstract: The multimethodological practice of systemic intervention has been described as ‘theoretically contradictory eclecticism’ because it lacks a grounding theory that can accept Burrell and Morgan's principle of incommensurable paradigms and avoids ‘anything goes’ relativism between them. As a way forward, a new ontology of process–structure is proposed. It is designed as a metaphysical interface to the onto-epistemological paradigms of critical systems thinking and practice (which are, in this paper, functionalist–structuralist, interpretivist, critical–emancipatory and postmodern–poststructuralist). Next, the ontology is realized by an epistemology that respects paradigm incommensurability and yet exploits the unique perspective they each afford. Then, a methodology wherein each of the paradigmatic approaches is critically deployed operationalizes and completes the foundation of this new framework. It directs a critically reflexive, axiologically transparent appreciation by the systemist in a multiparadigmatic, multimethodological engagement with the ‘problem’ situation in flux. The philosophy lays out foundational motives, rationale, intents and purposes and acts as a guide for its use in practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: A method for incorporating multiple linguistic or soft variables into a system dynamics framework is proposed and a simple example is used to illustrate the procedures necessary to define linguistic variables using triangular membership functions within the VENSIM Simulation Environment.
Abstract: We propose a method for incorporating multiple linguistic or soft variables into a system dynamics framework. A simple example is used to illustrate the procedures necessary to define linguistic variables using triangular membership functions within the VENSIM Simulation Environment. We illustrate the operations of linguistic variables through a sales and service model where two linguistic variables, i.e. customer’s satisfaction with respect to service, and lead time associated with a product, impact the conversion of potential customers into customers. After having created fuzzy triangular membership functions, we obtain the combined effect of the two linguistic variables using the max–min inference procedure. For defuzzification we use the notion of the largest of maximum to translate the fuzzy representation of the combined effect into a crisp value. Finally, we provide simulation results pertaining to the probability of generating new customers and profits by considering pessimistic, optimistic and intermediate fuzzy rules for our model. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The results suggest that multiple neonatal DEX exposures can produce chronic deficits in fine motor co-ordination that are associated with cerebellar IGL neuronal loss.
Abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) such as dexamethasone (DEX) or betamethasone are repeatedly administered for up to a month to prematurely born infants as a treatment for chronic lung dysfunction. Results of clinical trials have shown that the use of GCs in these infants induces long-term deficits in neuromotor function and cognition. We have previously shown that a single exposure to clinically relevant doses of DEX or other GCs in the mouse during a period corresponding to the human perinatal period produces a dramatic increase in apoptotic cell death of neural progenitor cells in the developing cerebellum. To provide a model approximating more chronic clinical dosing regimens, we evaluated possible behavioral effects resulting from repeated exposures to DEX and subsequent GC-induced neuronal loss where neonatal mouse pups were injected with 3.0 mg/kg DEX or saline on postnatal days 7, 9, and 11 (DEX3 treatment). Adult, DEX3-treated mice exhibited long-term, possibly permanent, neuromotor deficits on a complex activity wheel task, which requires higher-order motor co-ordination skills. DEX3 mice exhibited impaired performance on this task relative to saline controls in each of two independent studies involving separate cohorts of mice. Histopathology studies utilizing stereological neuronal counts conducted in behaviorally-tested mice showed that the DEX3 treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the number of neurons in the internal granule layer (IGL) of the cerebellum, although the number of neurons in the Purkinje cell layer were unchanged. The results suggest that multiple neonatal DEX exposures can produce chronic deficits in fine motor co-ordination that are associated with cerebellar IGL neuronal loss.
TL;DR: In this paper, a special issue of Systems Research and Behavioural Science is about the systematic use of metaphor and its implications for behaviour, especially in the field of knowledge management.
Abstract: This special issue of Systems Research and Behavioural Science is about the systematic use of metaphor and its implications for behaviour, especially in the field of knowledge management.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors point out how further theoretical work on sustainability in work organizations seems to be needed, and also emphasize how promoting sustainability in working life connects to worldviews.
Abstract: This Research Note seeks to add to the body of knowledge concerning social sustainability in work organizations. The Research Note points out how further theoretical work on sustainability in work organizations seems to be needed, and it also emphasizes how promoting sustainability in working life connects to worldviews. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: This article explored how visual metaphors can communicate the anomalous and the paradoxical aspects of KM more concisely than words, whilst simultaneously presenting more tacit associations to stimulate creative thinking, and found six categories of radial metaphors able to convey paradoxical complexity in a concise way.
Abstract: Following criticism that, in business and management, metaphor is largely verbal and primarily used to convey similarity, this paper explores how visual metaphors can communicate the anomalous and the paradoxical aspects of KM more concisely than words, whilst simultaneously presenting more tacit associations to stimulate creative thinking. It considers a series of 30 assessed posters that aimed to re-present six basic KM paradoxes through imagery that captures both the analogous and the anomalous. We found six categories of radial metaphors able to convey paradoxical complexity in a concise way. This has implications for organizations thinking about how to engage people with both the familiar and the strange. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors explored the effect of knowledge transfer in the context of managing organizational crises and found that multiple knowledge transfer mechanisms used and their influence on organizational performance during crises as a means of distributing critical knowledge.
Abstract: The threat of organizational crises cannot be overlooked in today's complex business environment. During crises, organizations encounter unique, threatening and stress-inducing situations in which critical decisions must be made constantly in a timely manner based on limited information. Nevertheless, there have been very few studies engaging in exploring the theme of knowledge transfer in the context of managing organizational crises. Consequently, this study attempts to explore this issue with reference to a product recall crisis of a motorcycle manufacturer using the method of system dynamics modelling. The research findings illustrate the multiple knowledge transfer mechanisms used and their influence on organizational performance during crises as a means of distributing critical knowledge and facilitating the development of collective understanding within organizations. Future studies which aim to explore the dynamics of different types of knowledge being processed by means of various knowledge transfer mechanisms during crises are encouraged. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The authors discusses two problems in metaphor identification in knowledge management, including what counts as a metaphor in language, including language about knowledge, and what constitutes metaphor in thought, including thought about knowledge.
Abstract: This paper discusses two problems in metaphor identification in knowledge management. It does so against the background of a sketch of the most important issues in linguistic metaphor research in relation to language, cognition and communication. This produces a background for the body of the paper, in which two issues are addressed: (1) What counts as a metaphor in language, including language about knowledge? (2) What counts as a metaphor in thought, including thought about knowledge? The answers to these questions capture some of the latest discussions in linguistic metaphor research, which can help increase the quality of further research on metaphor in knowledge management. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract: This article considers recent research from the cognitive sciences and developmental psychology and parallels with the characterization of complex ecologies as panarchy systems. Its aim is to assess the viability of the application of panarchy theory to the ecology of human thought. This research suggests that psychosystems, like ecosystems, might be more clearly understood by using panarchy systems principles. Five distinctive features of a panarchy research enquiry are considered to examine the viability of their application to the psychological dynamics operating in complex human social systems. The observation offered is that a detailed theory of psychological panarchy dynamics may provide useful explanations of the role of thought in the intersection between human psychology and socio-ecological systems. The study concludes that a theory of psychological panarchy is viable, and necessary, if the roles of the observer and the observed are to be understood when enabling the viability, stability and resiliency of complex human societies.
TL;DR: The paper proposes a policy design method for system dynamics models based on recurrent neural networks that first directly creates an arbitrary desired reference mode and runs the algorithm to search for the most appropriate model automatically to fit it.
Abstract: The paper proposes a policy design method for system dynamics models based on recurrent neural networks. A policy maker first directly creates an arbitrary desired reference mode and run the algorithm to search for the most appropriate model(s) automatically to fit it. In the searching process, both the system structure and its parameter values evolve simultaneously. Several experiments are conducted to evaluate our approach. The results show that our approach is as good as or better than other comparable methods. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors revisited the ideas of autopoiesis and in particular the research project pursued by one of his original authors (Francisco Varela), and reflected on how applied systems-thinking could take a step back regarding how human experience is integrated into intervention.
Abstract: Applied systems-thinking involves the use of systems methodologies and concepts to facilitate intervention in social situations. In this area, a body of knowledge has been accumulated to promote informed use of systems methodology. Still, how human experience is considered and used in intervention is limited to what methodologies prescribe or what facilitators do with it. In this paper, we revisit the ideas of autopoiesis and in particular the research project pursued by one of his original authors (Francisco Varela). Following Varela's intent to develop a middle way in science, we reflect on how applied systems-thinkingcould take a step back regarding how human experience is integrated into intervention. We conclude the paper with a number of suggestions to make applied systems-thinking more permeable and sensitive to human experience and therefore open to compassionate thinking and action. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: For example, the authors examines the affective experience of psychological development through adult life and what it means to be actively receptive to development in a way that optimizes the growth of resilience throughout adulthood.
Abstract: In the field of mental health, resilience is understood as a psychological characteristic intimately entwined with the experience of disequilibrium. Originally, the resilience literature focused on children. But psychological development can continue beyond childhood. Recently, psychologists have begun to examine the resilience that arises—or does not—through the vicissitudes of adult life as well. Psychologically, a human being can be considered a complex system of drives, conflicts, capacities, hopes and so on. The human life span can be conceptualized as repeated experiences of stability and disequilibrium for a person's psychological system. From that stability and disequilibrium come the emergence of new abilities and worldviews. One possible outcome of the experience of repeated psychological disequilibrium inherent to adult life is the development of psychological resilience. This paper examines the affective experience of psychological development through adult life and what it means to be actively receptive to development in a way that optimizes the growth of resilience throughout adulthood. This article aims to make several contributions to the systems sciences. First, it brings psychology back into conversation with the systems community after an absence, in the International Society for the Systems Sciences at least, of many years. Second, systems theorists have paid little attention to the affective experience of disequilibrium—a recognized systems process—in a human system like an adult person. Third, to the mental health community, this paper seeks to communicate that perhaps much of the suffering and negative affect people experience through adulthood can be reframed from psychopathology to developmental transition—to disequilibrium—and the vulnerability and challenges that go with it. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: It is shown that information is a measurable universal phenomenon that causes the behaviours of living systems and validate the hypothesis and provide the foundation for natural living systems science.
Abstract: Work has been ongoing, at least since Newton's Principia, to develop a science of life and social phenomena equivalent to the natural sciences such as physics and chemistry. Currently, such a science does not exist. This paper provides the foundation for a science of life and society. The hypothesis of this paper is that the methodologies used to develop the extant natural sciences can be used as a model for developing a natural (hard) life and social science. The natural sciences are typified by identification of fundamental phenomena, measurement of and measurement units for these phenomena and formal equations for the relations among these phenomena. Information is identified as a fundamental phenomenon of life. The natural science methodology is used to develop units of measure for information, and formal equations are developed among behaviours, structural characteristics, available energy and information. This paper shows that information is a measurable universal phenomenon that causes the behaviours of living systems. These developments validate the hypothesis and provide the foundation for natural living systems science. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the application of boundary judgements in coastal resource management in the Babuyan group of islands in the Philippines, bounded by the Balintang and Babuayan Channels.
Abstract: In Critical Systems Thinking, the notion of boundary judgements represents a constructionist view on knowing as the bounding of components of reality into knowable objects. Cognitive boundary judgements determine observations (facts) and evaluations (values), which knowers appreciate and act in relation to. Werner Ulrich’s method of dialogical boundary critique and the framework of Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) are intended to enable citizen participation in Western democracies through acknowledgement of legitimate competencies in public and corporate dialogues. This paper investigates the application of this methodology in Philippine coastal resource management. The conclusions are based on stakeholder-based action planning carried out between November 2007 and May 2008 in the Babuyan group of islands, bounded by the Balintang and Babuyan Channels. It argues that dialogical boundary critique requires significant adaptation if it is to provide a liberating language for participants in Philippine resource management dilemmas shaped by multiple and conflicting knowledge claims under conditions of significant controversy
TL;DR: A new comprehensive place level system delineation is introduced, which corresponds directly to meaningful police jurisdictional coverage areas that allows the implementation of a multivariate spatial econometric technique that has the potential to contribute to law enforcement's ability to combat criminal offending through the introduction of an algorithm for the tracking of the almost ‘real time’ spatial mobility of crime.
Abstract: Improving our understanding of the differentials, articulation and mobility of criminal offending within and between urban and rural areas may ultimately have important policy implications for the allocation of valuable federal, state and local resources. This paper introduces a new comprehensive place level system delineation, which corresponds directly to meaningful police jurisdictional coverage areas. This coverage allows for the implementation of a multivariate spatial econometric technique that has the potential to contribute to law enforcement's ability to combat criminal offending through the introduction of an algorithm for the tracking of the almost ‘real time’ spatial mobility of crime. The results suggest a more robust application of spatial clustering statistics in identifying spatio-temporal relationships in the spatial mobility of crime. It is expected that the ability to track criminal offending in a more ‘real-time’ manner can have direct implications on future research concerned with the simulation of crime-specific offending patterns. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, a metaphorical analysis to unpack the best practice orientation toward knowledge holistically reveals a cogent underpinning metaphor, knowledge as cheating, which is then analyzed.
Abstract: Well entrenched after many years, and perhaps just as well obfuscated, the flawed concept of ‘best practice’ remains a guiding precept of management. Best practice is flawed because it acts as a placeholder for proper management practice, displacing accountability for effectiveness and fit. Best practice is flawed, further, because it supplants strategy, adopting solutions out of convenience or copying them reactively, and supplants innovation, allowing ‘the best we know about’, ‘the best we've come across’, or even ‘the best we've done before’ to be adequate. Best practice considers the world predictable, and discounts the emergence of better, novel ideas. In organizations that rely on best practice, knowledge management tactics focus on building repositories to house best practice artefacts. This fosters the ready harvesting of old ideas and reusing them in new applications. Over time, this leads to fewer and fewer new ideas, little improvement through reuse, and eventually diminishing marginal returns across the whole corpus. This, and a limited value (generation) proposition based on what is effectively ‘used’ knowledge, means that best practice represents a relatively poor investment from an intellectual capital perspective. Using metaphorical analysis to unpack the best practice orientation toward knowledge holistically reveals a cogent underpinning metaphor, knowledge as cheating, which is then analysed. The metaphor knowledge as exploration is then offered as a foil, with all the foregoing in mind, and subjected to similar, and comparative, analysis. It is found superior in both an absolute and a relative sense. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The architecture of Varela's thinking, determined by the interrelated notions of autopoiesis, autonomy, closure and self-reference, was examined in this article, providing an overview of his writings while shedding some light in the praxis of selfreference from where a future research agenda can be derived.
Abstract: This contribution seeks to commemorate Francisco Varela’s formal conceptions of self-reference, providing an overview of his writings while shedding some light in the praxis of self-reference, from where a future research agenda can be derived. The architecture of Varela’s thinking, determined by the interrelated notions of autopoiesis, autonomy, closure and self-reference, was examined. The emphasis was on the development and expansions of his calculus for self-reference from George Spencer Brown’s Laws of Form. After dealing with some of the criticism launched at both works, an appraisal of the praxis of self-reference of Varela’s thinking in action was given. The outlook rounds up this contribution, shedding some light on a possible future research agenda for the formalization of theory and praxis of self-reference. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: Chroust et al. as discussed by the authors investigated the role of first responders (i.e., fire brigade, ambulance services and police forces) as intervening systems in the case of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear) incidents, aimed at providing resilience.
Abstract: Today's catastrophes (many of them man-made or at least triggered by human activities) frequently endanger a growing number of humans and larger areas in numerous different ways, calling for more attention concerning dependability and resilience of our environment. Experience tells us that no matter what precautions and quality approaches we take, we will always encounter systems that initially were dependable and ‘suddenly’ become untrustworthy because of some unexpected, unknown cause. A system that in itself is unable to re-establish its dependability, that is, is not resilient (any more), needs an external intervention: For human beings, a physician acts as an intervening system for re-establishing dependability. A complex system can be made resilient by the addition of an Intervention System that intervenes in the case of loss of dependability. In this paper, we investigate the role of First Responders (i.e. fire brigade, ambulance services and police forces) as intervening systems in the case of CBRN (chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear) incidents, aimed at providing resilience. Taking a process view of these interventions, we analyse key processes especially with respect to supporting them by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). We identify properties of CBRN incidents and their implications for the activities of First Responders both in training and real assignments. The paper is based on the following study: Chroust et al. “Improving resilience of critical human systems in CBRN-emergencies: challenges for first responders”. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors adopt a holistic and evolutionary perspective to present the structure of industrial development systems and the evolutionary model in Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs) to explore the development process and structure of the Taiwanese TFT-LCD industry, and to interpret the behaviour of the self-conscious evolution.
Abstract: After developing thin film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) technology for the past 30 years, Taiwan has become the largest LCD manufacturer globally. Even under the global financial crisis in 2008, the production value of 10-inch or larger TFT-LCD panels in Taiwan was still up to US$28.8 billion. The development of the LCD industry is dynamic and sophisticated, and the development trajectories are influenced by the strategies of internationally based parent factories supplying technology, the industry policies of the government and the interactions of TFT-LCD companies with both their technology providers and upstream and downstream companies. Based on their interactions, these factors generate a unique evolutionary pathway, manifested in both ‘incidental’ and ‘inevitable’ results. This study adopts a holistic and evolutionary perspective to present the structure of industrial development systems and the evolutionary model in Newly Industrialized Countries (NICs). The structure of industrial development systems and the evolutionary model are applied to explore the development process and structure of the Taiwanese TFT-LCD industry, and to interpret the behaviour of the self-conscious evolution. The study suggests that the Taiwanese TFT-LCD industry has experienced three stages of evolution, namely the adaptive evolution in the first two stages and changes into the still continuous self-conscious evolution stage at present to respond to the possible change of the environment in the future and to obtain the greatest competition chance. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: The being, engaging, contextualizing and managing (BECM) matrix as discussed by the authors was used in the POINT project to gain an understanding of group behaviour by observation of four segregated but linked qualities.
Abstract: In April 1999, academics from the Systems Department at the Open University in UK devised a matrix for assessing third-level systems students—the matrix was based upon systemic practitioner behaviours taught in the course. It was based upon earlier methods that sought to understand and assess student progress based upon evidence of changing behavioural traits rather than the expression of learned responses or ‘right’ answers. This was the beginning of the being, engaging, contextualizing and managing (BECM) matrix. The European Union-funded research project called Policy Influence of Indicators (POINT) made use of BECM as part of a process for exploring ways in which groups make use of indicators in several domains. This paper tells the story of how BECM was used in the POINT project to gain an understanding of group behaviour by observation of four segregated but linked qualities. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.