Proceedings of the 56th Annual Meeting of the ISSS - 2012, San Jose, CA, USA

THE INFORMATION PROCESSING ASPECT OF THE DYNAMICS OF A SYSTEM AS A BASIS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ITS COMPUTER-BASED INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Roberto R Kampfner — 2013-03-09

ABSTRACT

All dynamic systems need to process information in order to function. This means that there is an information processing aspect to the dynamics of any system (Kampfner, 1998) that in fact embodies the way in which it processes information. Complex, adaptive systems such as modern organizations include natural and artificial means of information processing as part of their dynamics. Although the natural and the artificial forms of information processing are fundamentally different, they are also highly complementary of each other. One claim of this paper is that a synergistic combination of natural and artificial computing is essential to the ability of modern organizations to successfully perform their functions and persist in the face of an uncertain environment. I also argue that considering information processing as an aspect of dynamics is essential to finding the synergistic combination of natural and artificial computing that is needed for the effective support of function and adaptability in modern organizations.

The development of computer-based information systems can be thought of as a means of integrating computer-based information processing into the dynamics of modern organizations. The abstraction-synthesis methodology of information systems development, or ASM, (Kampfner, 1987, 1997) provides a conceptual framework for this integration. In the ASM, the information needs of the functions that the computer-based information system will support are determined on the basis of the information processing aspect of its dynamics. This is followed by the design and development of the computer-based processes that will help to meet these information needs in a manner consistent with the adaptability of the system as a whole. The synergy of the combination of natural and artificial computing is possible because these two fundamentally different forms of information processing can complement each other in many useful ways.

Development of an Intelligent Controller Embedded Intelligent Robust Design Using Fuzzy Neural Network-based Control

Yoshishige Sato — 2013-03-09

Recently, electric controllers that use the model-based control of modern control theory have had frequent failures and become a problem for industry. This is due to the fact that the control gain is fixed. To address this problem, we have developed the first intelligent controller incorporating intelligent robust design using next-generation fuzzy neural network-based control, which presents the only solution to the problem. This controller includes a new kind of intelligent robust gain compensator that adaptively adjusts gain to changes in target trajectory error for sufficient control against system parameter variations, sudden disturbance, and

target changes.

The Spiraling Propensities of Mind: Towards an Ecological Theory of Human Meaning Systems within a Panarchy of Adaptive Cycles of Human Consciousness

Lito Elio Porto — 2013-03-08

The initial conceptualization of the adaptive cycle of complex ecosystems (Holling, 1986) has led to the theory and analysis of adaptive cycles within social, cultural, political, and economic dimensions, beginning with the original panarchical considerations of these human dimensions (Holling & Gunderson, 2002; Berkes & Folke, 2002; Westley, Carpenter, Brock, Holling & Gunderson, 2002; Scheffer, Westley, Brock & Holmgren, 2002; Gunderson, Holling & Peterson, 2002). A decade later, however, the difficult inquiry into the complex systemics of human thought itself and of thought’s ostensible purpose – meaning – is still largely absent from the work done within panarchic frameworks. The need to include an ecological theory of meaning has begun to be understood as critical to the progression of socio-ecological systems theory (Varey 2010).

This paper proposes a truly ecological (i.e., non-metaphorical) definition of meaning and outlines a panarchic theory of human meaning systems (HMS) that includes a consideration of the original sources of difference in the universe, then obeys Jørgensen’s “Fundamental Laws in Ecology” (Jørgensen, 2009), as HMS emerge, develop, collapse, and demonstrate rigidity, resilience, and unpredictability in complete relation to the identification, acquisition, and degradation (i.e., the processing) of exergy. The present theory of HMS proposes three “energetic orders” – i) local, ii) medial, and iii) permeative – that emerge as irreducible propensities for human life and encompassing human ecologies. These orders span the entire spectrum of life for the human, from the first necessity of maintaining thermodynamic disequilibrium in the local order; to manifesting ecosystemic dynamics in the medial order, described variously as the thorough degradation of exergy gradients (Schneider & Kay, 1994), the principle of self-organization for maximum emergy use (Odum, 1988), the maintenance and optimization of exergy (Jørgensen, 1992; Nielsen, 1995), and “centripetality” (Ulanowicz, 1997); to that ineluctable aspect of the human experience that is not only to aspire beyond what we understand but indeed to be constantly drawn to the unknown/unknowable in the permeative order (Gunderson, Holling & Light, 2005; Kauffman, 2000; Deacon, 2012).

Some conclusions of this paper are: the individual’s or collective’s bias among the three energetic orders depends upon the perceptions of threat to survival (local), ecosystemic integrity (medial), or the need for greater interconnectivity beyond its perceptions (permeative); and that natural language emerges from a constant and fluid negotiation among the binary (local), communal/recurrent (medial), and the unknown/unknowable (permeative) orders that occurs simultaneously at multiple scales and in relation to the larger adaptive cycles, such that “meaning” phenomena – from basic logoi to the mythoi of individual and collective narratives, “histories,” and “identities” – are emergetic (Odum, 1983) products and recursive tools (to enable further emergetic processes) within human ecologies. Because there is a “bias” toward any one of the three orders at any given moment and scale – depending on the perceived position vis-à-vis the larger-scale adaptive cycle – what would otherwise seem to be a “linear” negotiation between the three “energetic orders” becomes cyclical and adaptive within the adaptive cycle. Gunderson and Holling’s adaptive cycle is partially renamed as “Adaptive Cycle of Human Consciousness” in order to emphasize the need for this new line of panarchic thinking that could unite “what we do” with “what we are,” as meaning-creating, meaning-acquiring, meaning-destroying homoiothermal organisms on planet Earth. Because inquiry into human systems of thought and meaning is relatively new to the field of panarchic systems ecology, some aspects of the theory are unavoidably novel. However, efforts have been made to ground individual aspects of the present theory in recent advances of systems ecology research. As with any such theoretical proposal, gaps and inconsistencies are anticipated, and possible solutions to these are invited and welcome.

Towards a vitalist holism: Deleuze's Theory of Assemblage

Jae Eon Yu — 2013-03-09

In this paper, we propose and evaluate an epistemology of systems thinking in relation to the vitalism of social systems and to develop systems approach for understanding the vitalist holism by construing the emergence and reproduction of social and organizational systems of the ‘civilizing process’ as non-linear and rhizomic events. We present and appreciate Deleuze’s theory of an assemblage in order to explore social and organizational complexities as researchers rethink the value of ‘systems thinking’ through the unfolding process of problematization in terms of virtualities and actualities. It allows participants to be ‘critical thinkers’ on the given situations. To be critical thinkers, what is important for the process of action learning and research is not so on what is true of ‘scientific knowledge’ being appreciated, but it is on our thought and learning to what the ‘practical and discursive knowledge’ produces in particular, contingent contexts. In this sense, we reappreciate the value of Deleuze theory of assemblage theory towards understanding of the ‘vitalism’ of social systems, which are evolved from the continuity and transformation of the relationships between life and (non) living bodies.

A Phenomenology of Polyrhythmic Music

Adrian Yee — 2013-03-09

The thesis I will develop in this paper is the claim that polyrhythms have a property of ‘emergence’ that is distinct from the perception associated with atomic rhythms, as aided by the philosopher G. W. F. Hegel's theory of phenomenology. I will argue that the specific qualia sensations associated with apprehending polyrhythms are distinct from both the sensations of mono-rhythmic music and polyrhythmic music taken as just the sum of atomic rhythms. Using Hegel’s text, ‘The Phenomenology of Spirit’, I will demonstrate how Hegel’s concepts of ‘Sense-Certainty’ and ‘Perception’ play a crucial role in understanding the cognition of polyrhythms at the phenomenological level. Using Hegelian concepts such as: the indexicality of ‘Here’ and “Now’ and the perception of ‘Also’ and ‘One’, I will demonstrate how polyrhythms are a specific phenomena that is greater than the sum of its parts, such as how a chair is not perceived as a bunch of wood arbitrarily constructed but as a unified whole. The key difference that I will make is that it is possible for a listener to apprehend a coherent soundscape that is perceived as a unified whole while at the same time retaining the multitude of differences contained within it; in this sense, polyrhythms have an ‘emergent’ property. In part 1 of this paper, I will discuss Hegel's phenomenology of music, as aided by the section on 'Consciousness' within the chapter on 'Perception' ; in Part 2, I will describe the Hegelian understanding of poly-rhythms as two terms of my own: 'notion-of-polyrhythm' and 'itself-of-polyrhythm'.

THE ACCELERATION OF THE SPEED OF CHANGE – THE ULTIMATE THREAT FOR SOCIETY

Anja Reissberg

No abstract submitted.

Information Ability Process and Information System as Reality Modeling Tools.

Juan David Arango — 2013-03-09

We all agree on wanting a better world, the issue is working out the details.

This essay explores reality. It looks at reality as an impredicative (self-contained) model, where there is an observer-actor with informational ability (infoability) that creates models. Those models are information (attribution of meaning) and serve this observer-actor-with-infoability (living being) as a guide to transform reality.

As the title indicates, two basic models are used to explore reality: the system and the process. These two models seem to create circularity, but there is no circularity in reality; in reality there is simultaneity. Reality exists only at present, and the living being uses memory to save the observed events creating systems. The chain of those memorized systems, which are one process, create the past for the living being’s reality. In turn, that living being is using its infoability, pondering those events, creating probable scenarios and choosing the most meaningful outcome the living being makes a decision and creates the future.

Competition in the Darwin Economy and Living Systems

Lane Tracy — 2013-03-09

In his recent book The Darwin Economy Robert Frank predicted that Charles Darwin would replace Adam Smith as the father of modern economic theory. Darwin observed that natural selection tends to favor traits that make individual organisms successful even if those traits inhibit the success of the species. Darwin also noted that what counts is success relative to one's competitors rather than absolute numbers of progeny. Frank showed that these insights apply equally well to problems of economic competition.

In making this argument, however, Frank ignored the fact that such competition often involves interaction among multiple levels of living systems and that the loyalty of deciders can become quite compromised in these interactions. On the other hand living systems theory has ignored Darwin's insights, perhaps because it is unclear how they apply to upper levels of living systems. This paper attempts to bring together modern economic theory, living systems theory and evolution theory to see how each might contribute to an improved understanding of competition in monetary systems.

Hip-Hop street fashion, identity, and cross-Cultural appropriation in the Asian diaspora

Eric Ing — 2013-03-09

Hip hop fashion originates from black American youths in the 1990s. The style of clothing has replicated and evolved from street fashion in inner cities where ethnic American blacks are the majority, to suburbs where the white middle-class predominates. On a world scale, these fashions are evident not only in Asian-American and Asian- Canadian communities, but also on the streets of Japan, Korea, China, and other industrialized economies. This paper examines whether (i) Asian-Americans and Asian-Canadians serve as a bridge to Asians, or (ii) Asians are adopting fashion trends directly.

Ties run deep between the fashion styles in which a diasporic community dresses, and the hybrid identity in which they affiliate. This pattern of behaviour can be framed as cross-appropriation in the disclosing of new worlds. Contextual backgrounds are first provided on (i) clothing as a tool for identity, (ii) the origins of hip-hop fashion, and (iii) the origins of North America's diasporic Asian community. The phenomenon of hip-hop street fashion in the Asian diaspora is then described. Theories on identity and cross-cultural appropriation are outlined. Potential trends in the future are then projected.

Identifying Actors in Political Activism over Twitter

Kevin Kin-Chung Leung — 2013-03-09

Recently, internet social media has been championed as an important tool for political activism and democracy. Many models exist for various types of group action, with many inspired by Granovetter's threshold model of collective action, but these models don't distinguish between the effects of specific types of actions. I begin with a network model of collective action for Twitter and interpret it for cascades of retweets during recent political activism for various roles. Although identities are easiest to understand strictly by the labels we use to denote them, I will show how identities iterate over practice and labels in this community. By connecting characteristics of network models and previous analysis of retweets, I will show how a person's history influences his or her actions and how those actions dictate chosen identities.

THE VISIBLE HAND: FROM STRUGGLING SURVIVAL TO VIABLE SUSTAINABILITY

Jon Li — 2013-03-10

Building an economy based on Family Sustainability through Community Information: Most of the global economy is hidden, and in a lot of trouble. This is a mechanism to turn the global economy inside out, so that most of it is transparent, and manageable. This is a model for a computer grid of a person's local economy. It should be user friendly and provide linkage of the information structure between an individual and the larger economy: decentralization in a global context.

This is about re-conceptualizing our information world - so that the social systems work. About turning the economic information system inside out, so that instead of it being difficult for everyone, make it so intuitively useful that it is commonly practical and easy to obtain whatever information you need. Anatomically, a fig fruit is surrounded by its skin, all covered; if you invert it, and expose the fruit with the skin at the bottom, it is a strawberry. This idea is to invert the global economic information system so that it is easy to use. For everybody. Turn the global economic information system from a mystery that you spend your life losing out to (the "fig" that you cannot see into) into a transparent information structure that is designed for the user (the "strawberry" that you can see all the good parts whenever you need them).

The main purpose of this model is for the INDIVIDUAL to be able to have a standard grid for her to put all of the important information in her life in an organized way. It needs to be supportive of different scales of data, for unique people, to help her organize her way out of her problems and challenges, social, organizational, and economic - both as a consumer and as a producer.

Most current policy emphasizes nation, then state, maybe region. This model shifts the focus to the village and the community, so that neighborhoods and families get their needs met. The idea is that the model should be useful to individuals and families, and all business people as well as municipal bureaucrats and citizens investigating the government.

The Power of Eudemony: Eudemony is an idea that Aristotle talked about. It means something like well-being. At its most human root, it is about a sense of self, in balance with the social and all around, in tune with the Universe. Pretty tough nut to crack, and the reason why most people need to seek religion or some other strategy to cope with the slings and arrows of the human condition.

The power equation in eudemony is to balance the material, the technical, the physical, with the social, the nutritional, the cognitive, the spiritual and the natural environment. That equation is different for each person. Money emerged as the medium of exchange to balance all those values, but it was always seen as a way to have power over other people, or compared to other people.

In Stafford Beer's introduction of eudemony in Platform for Change, he says "Money is terribly important, both to those paying and to those paid. But money is nonetheless an epiphenomenon of a system which actually runs on eudemony. It is for this reason that I have come to see money as a constraint on the behavior of eudemonic systems, rather than to see eudemony as a by-product of monetary systems."

The new metric must be dynamic, and include money and technology in it, but it also must factor in how damaging a bias towards money and technology has been in the 20th century in terms of social, natural and cognitive costs for the 99%. It should be useful for families and communities to be self-sufficient.

Notes on Education and Working Together as Art; The Power of Eudemony; Evolving Contemporary Thought; American Social Evolution; Ernest Callenbach's last public words; The Visible Hand: From Struggling Survival to Viable Sustainability; Do your own Viable System Model analysis; Housing Laws of Supply and Demand; References

Acephalous groups and their dynamics from a complex systems perspective

Victor Ronald David MacGill — 2013-03-09

Human dominance-based hierarchies perceiving the world as separate parts open for exploitation have led to crises in areas such as ecology, economics, and politics. One response by many activist and other groups is the growing use of distributed, loosely structured groupings I will call “acephalous”. While they may have nested levels just like a dominance hierarchy, group members have equal power and responsibility, giving members a stronger sense of ownership within the group. This also shifts the focus from goal seeking to maintaining group relationships.

A variety of acephalous groups at differing scales are investigated from a complex systems perspective. From small support groups we look at larger worker co-operatives, alternative spirituality groups and terrorist networks.

Digital technologies have opened new possibilities for social activist groups. Groups such as the Arab Spring and the Occupy Wall Street movement have found that combining the power of the internet with a loose acephalous structure has been very effective at breaking down old dominance-based hierarchies, but they have not yet developed the ability to create and maintain effective alternatives. We explore acephalous groups to assess their strengths and weaknesses and seek ways for them to become more effective.

Cyber Adverse Selection Phenomenon in the Internet Market in China: Model and Case Study

Yong Pan — 2013-03-09

Adverse selection means the selection by the consumer when faced with the circumstance of asymmetric information. The ‘cyber adverse selection’ phenomenon in Internet market hinders the healthy development of Internet market. Based on the adverse selection model put forward by American economist George Akerlof , who is one of Nobel Economics Prize laureates in 2001, this paper set up a cyber adverse selection model in Internet market . This paper takes data from Taobao.com in China as samples and demonstratively analyzes the characteristics of cyber adverse selection problems in Chinese Internet market. The results showed that reputation mechanism can effectively reduce the appearance of adverse selection, as well as electronic intermediaries and business alliance can offset adverse selection problems. The results also reveal that the cyber adverse selection in Internet market not only exists but also occurs more serious, which affects the function of Internet market. Finally, this paper offers some strategic thought and encourages sellers and buyers to trade credibly.

A Performative-Extended Mind and a Law of Optimal Emergence

Peter Robertson — 2013-03-09

This paper introduces a performative-extended model of the mind; adds time as a new element to previous accounts; proposes a law of optimum emergence then uses the present financial crisis as an example to show that this new model of the brain has profound practical implications, since psychologically reified concepts (like values) can be understood better using this new model of the mind.

This model based on “deep simplicity creating surface complexity” underpins a model of a “performative extended emergent mind” that is not “under the skull”.

Psychology’s set of so-called “intangibles”, like human values can be redefined as “emergent properties”. Values are attractors created by messy patterns of behavior over time without logical cause-effect relationships, stabilized by memory.

The performative-extended mind where movement (time), diversity and tangibles (feedback loops) create emergence can be linked to a law of optimal emergence in order to explain fundamental psycho-social processes, like values. The mind becomes an eco-system within a larger eco-system.

Growth can be seen as an S-curve shaped shift from feed-forward-steering to feedback-control. In this process, conditions for stable emergence shift from conditions that are “non-favorable” (no-tangibles) to “favorable” (a dynamic balance between tangibles and no-tangibles) to “non-favorable” (too many tangibles). Growth creates, then destroys emergent properties in a time-dependent process. Stable emergent characteristics can only exist for a while in the middle part of an S-curve.

A real life example might be that leaders who focus on financial growth and administrative rules often create corrupt organizations. This might be a falsifiable general systems law with implications for organizational and leadership practice. This is an example of how the “performative-extended mind/ law of optimal emergence” combination can lead to relevant implications for the future of sustainable society, governance and business.

The justification of utilizing the collective wisdom into politics -after Fukushima-

Kazuyuki Ikko Takahashi — 2013-03-09

The proposal that we should use the collection of twitters into politics has been made recently. It is thought of as the collective wisdom, which has been explained with mathematical models and simulations. We would like to justify the utilization of the collective wisdom with standing ovation game, where preferences are modified and transformed through interacting with each other and these changes can be perceived. Feedback effect can be seen: that is, both the effect from individuals’ preferences into the whole and the adverse effect grow increasingly. Then some property of wholeness emerges. Those process exactly justify using the collective wisdom into politics. We can make a decision whether to make a nuclear-free society or not through using the collection of twitters.

Deliberative democracy has been proposed for a couple of decades. It is an alternative to the aggregate democracy or the interest group democracy which are based only on the mere aggregations of people’s preferences and interests. We can see in the deliberative democracy that preferences are changed locally and these changes are made to be visible. Feedback effect between individuals’ preferences and the whole can be seen. The results of authentic deliberation among ordinary people could be legitimate.

We see no difference between the collective wisdom of twitters and the deliberative democracy. Both are based on people’s preferences and interests, but both make them change into public through interacting locally. Then new property emerges. The deliberative democracy has been said to be intrinsically democracy itself, so is the collective wisdom democracy.

SYSTEMIC INTERVENTION WITH COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE (COP): A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Ricardo Barros — 2013-03-09

Systemic intervention focuses on both methodological pluralism and boundary critique which makes explicit the need to explore issues and people included, excluded, or marginalised in the systemic analysis. This research perspective also concerns about the agent identities. Within a systemic intervention there is a need to surface different interpretations of agent identities. Although some attempts to analyse agent identities have been proposed, there is still a need to generate analytical frameworks about identity within a systemic intervention, taking into account the social learning process of those agents involved in the intervention. This paper thus presents a conceptual framework that includes the social aspects of learning, in particular the Communities of Practice - CoP analytical framework - within a systemic intervention approach. In doing so, the paper aims to enrich the systemic intervention perspective considering the CoP perspective about participants’ identities and the constitutive elements of social learning. The CoP view of identity is that formed by the negotiation of experience, community membership, learning trajectory, the nexus of multimembership, the process of participation between and within communities, and the acknowledgement that non-participation can take many forms and these forms also define identity. Hence, the CoP analytical framework is proposed to help with the boundary and issue reflections regarding agent identities. This could be seen as a synergy for systemic interventions. To describe this synergy first, the paper presents the bases of the systemic intervention framework and previous proposals about managing identity issues. Then, it presents the conceptual framework of CoP. Finally, there is an explanation of how to work with this framework, and some reflections about this proposal.

STRETCHING THE CONCEPT OF BOUNDARY IN BOUNDARY CRITIQUE

Jorge Ivan Velez-Castiblanco — 2013-03-09

The way in which boundary is marked around an issue, determines the way in which we understand, approach and intervene in such an issue. Stretching the way in which we understand the concept of boundary can expand our understanding of how to approach interventions in themselves. This paper proposes to contribute to understanding of boundary in Boundary Critique in two ways. First, by showing that those bounds can be understood as flexible and changing with every interaction of the actors. Second by showing that what is left outside of the limit defines the meaning of what is inside. The arguments draw from philosophy and pragmatics of language.

Value driven approach for Services Design

Anand Kumar — 2013-03-09

A service is a time-perishable, intangible experience performed for a customer acting in the role of a co-producer. It involves application of specialized competences (knowledge and skills) through deeds, processes, and performances for the benefit of another entity or the entity itself in real world. In economics, service is an intangible and insubstantial commodity and the value of service is expected to be self-evident. We can see that as providers of services, there is difficulty in understanding value experienced by consumers and as consumers of services we need to bank on our experience; use trial and errors to find a high quality service provider. There is even lesser clarity on service delivery process that assures value and various aspects of service that creates value to users.

We propose a value driven approach for services design based on value creation system that exists amongst service providers and customers as a way to address this situation. We propose a theoretical framework based on value co-creation by cluster of stakeholders who are involved in the service delivery and consumption process as an approach to design services. We illustrate our approach and theoretical framework that we adopt in this paper

Value Orchestration Platform for ICT security services

Takafumi Nakamura — 2013-03-10

This paper explains the service science approach to ICT security. The first half of 2011 should prove to be the “year of the breaches.” We saw numerous security breaches targeting high-profile organizations such as, Sony PlayStation, Lockheed Martin, and a dozen of other companies and government organizations. Mitsubishi heavy industries have suffered security attack from anonymous group. The attack, which involved several types of data-stealing malware on Mitsubishi computers, occurred in August 2011. The impacts of the security breach are quite sever for enormous number of people’s private information and top secret information in corporations (or governments) were disclosed in those cases. The damage of the corporate in terms of reliability and economy are enormous. However the security is a non-functional requirement therefore it tends to be ignored at ICT design phase to implement security requirement. The service science approach to ICT security shed a light to the ICT security area to maximize ICT security measures and investments. This paper provides the concept of value orchestration platform for ICT security services. Firstly we survey the current ICT security market, and we conceptualized this situation as two parties’ model between customers and providers. Then we use ICT security standard as security service platform. This enables us to visualize current ICT security venerability or inappropriate investments. Lastly we conceptualize this solution as three parties’ model (i.e. value orchestration platform) between customers, providers and security service platform providers. We conclude that the three parties’ model contribute maximizing ICT security measures and investments as value orchestration platform.

Rethinking Project Management Goals and Methods to Suit Service Systems

Shankar Sankaran — 2013-03-10

Industrial economies of the past are now moving towards becoming service-intensive, creative and knowledge-based economies that incorporate human creativity and social capital as the basis of value creation and productivity improvements. Moreover, they are radically transforming the manner in which they design, deliver and operate, thereby creating new services and market opportunities. Further, the fact that services are varied, have unique attributes — such as intangibility, heterogeneity, perishability, and inseparability (simultaneous consumption and delivery) — with the customer as a provider of input, make them complex in nature and difficult to understand and analyse. This has inspired a flurry of activity in government, industry and universities. There is now a growing recognition of the need for transdisciplinary research and new business models to propel innovation in services, commonly referred to as Services Science — an interdisciplinary cross-functional stream that brings together engineering, social sciences and management. In addition, business success is becoming less associated with tangible outcomes, embedded value and physical transactions, but more reliant on intangible resources, relationships, networks and co-creation of value. In the unfolding global economy, supply chains and value networks play a crucial role, and service organisations have to find innovative ways for attaining sustainable competitive advantage. Beyond this direct economic contribution, service industries have an ongoing role to deliver considerable indirect embodied value to goods production.

Transformations in organisational structures and relations can imply changes in some or all of the mechanisms used to govern projects. Moreover, there is a growing consensus that project managers have to be more strategically instrumental than before in transforming organisational practices and processes when accomplishing project objectives. Underpinned by changing dynamics, project management objectives are becoming difficult to understand. The old norms of the triple constraint of time-cost-quality in managing competing project requirements in order to deliver products, services or infrastructure are not sufficient. Projects are becoming increasingly subject to unparalleled risks, uncertainty and complexity, thus making it difficult for project managers to govern projects in line with changing strategic objectives and imperatives.

Recent trends in project management research and practice is driving organisations and their project managers to take a holistic approach to managing projects. The development of program and portfolio management standards by professional project management associations such as the Project Management Institute (PMI) and the Association for Project Managers (APM) has pushed project management beyond the sphere of just implementing what was authorised by the organisation. There is also increased emphasis on project governance and organisations are setting up Project Management Offices (PMO) and steering committees to ensure that projects deliver the intended benefits to the organisations and stakeholders. Project managers of megaprojects are now being trained to deal with complexity in such projects. Recently, the International Council on Systems Engineering(INCOSE), the PMI and the International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) have agreed to work together to develop competencies required by project and program managers to deal with complex projects.

While project managers are being taught to look at projects holistically through systems approaches such as systems dynamics, soft systems thinking and viable systems in postgraduate programs (such as the one taught at the University of Technology Sydney), they are not being taught about the emerging science of service systems. It is for this reason that in this paper we conceptualise the service science ecosystem as seen through a project manager’s lens.

Additionally, there is a push to compete through new services and service innovation, creation of knowledge, products and services enabled through technological advancements, online communities of companies and consumers, and adoption of distributed co-creation; all of which are still in their infancy — and so is their project management. Thus, a major challenge faced by contemporary project managers is to develop knowledge and understanding of complex service ecosystems and their functions. In other words, why are the new breed of project managers disconcerted about service science ecosystems, and what do they need to know and why? This paper enables us to disburden project management from its longstanding theoretical heritage, discusses recent research challenges in this field and proposes a new framework for project management.

The Fifth Annual Workshop and Open Symposium on Service Systems Science at Tokyo Institute of Technology: Applications for the U.S. Healthcare System

Mara Zabari — 2013-03-09

The Integration Challenge for the Systems Sciences: Highlighting Internal and External Interconnections

Andreas Hieronymi — 2013-03-09

Systems science is concerned, among other things, with functional wholes, interactive parts and exchange with the systems environment. What does it mean to observe systems science itself with respect to these aspects? What function does systems science have within the landscape of sciences? What do the various systemic sub-disciplines contribute to a united systems science?

In this paper the following will be attempted:

- Indicating a set of interrelated system principles. Using this set to clarify the special characteristics and contributions of the sub-disciplines of systems science.

- Localizing systems science within the landscape of sciences and indicating relevant connections.

Yes, there is a general system principle, No it is not a theory

Thomas M Mandel — 2013-03-08

ABSTRACT This and That in a Loving Relationship is Something Else. C = L( A, P)

General Theory: the Problems of Construction

Serge Patlavskiy — 2013-04-02

The author holds that a scientific theory of consciousness can be constructed only within the conceptual framework of a suitable meta-theory. In the paper the key problems of constructing a General Theory (as a kind of meta-theory) are discussed. It is suggested that if we aim to explain Reality in all its complexity, the conceptual framework we construct should take into account three factors – informational, material, and energetic – simultaneously. It is shown how the intellectual products of the different levels, like a theory and meta-theory, relate to each other, and the ways in which they differ. Also, the basic elements of the process of cognition are defined, some fundamental laws and principles are formulated, a non-statistical method of study is presented, and a specific systemic modeling is exemplified. All this enables the author to propound an applied theory of consciousness, and articulate an idea of a new scientific discipline – Interdisciplinary Investigations. The author hopes that the paper will inspire a wide-ranging discussion among the theorists who work in the fields of consciousness studies, artificial intelligence, psychology, psychiatry, and among all those who would like to see a comprehensive paradigm be achieved in these fields in the future.

ABSOLUTE RELATIVITY: THE 5TH DIMENSION.

Luis Sancho — 2013-05-16

General Systems is a theory of absolute relativity. Its aim is to describe all the isomorphisms, invariances and conservation laws of the Universe – 3 concepts that mean the same: an immortal reality that keeps reproducing self similar forms in space and self similar events/cycles in time.

Relativity showed all systems are invariant to motions in space. But physical invariance is only one of the 5 invariances of the Universe. When we widen the concept of invariance to ‘self-similarity’ - a more general term - the Universe remains invariant to motion but also becomes:

- Invariant to changes of ‘in/form/ation’ (topological invariance), shown in the existence of only 3 topologies in a 4-dimensional Universe, which correspond to the 3 formal functions of all systems, the energetic membrane or sphere, the toroid body that exchanges energy and information with the hyperbolic, informative, central zero point of the system.

And derived from the invariance of those essential parameters of reality, motion and form, its complex combinations:

- Invariance of the 4 actions that combine energy (e) and in/form/ation (i): energy feeding, information processing, reproduction of both (exi) and social evolution, of parts into wholes, origin of the 4^th invariance:

- Invariance of scale which define a 5^th, fractal, scalar dimension made of growing scales of size and self-organization that evolve reality from the smallest particles into the complex organisms and galaxies of the upper scales.

- And invariance of time frequencies, which determine the causality laws of the Universe and life-death cycles of all systems of the Universe, among them the invariance of 3 time ages of life and the parallel 3 states of matter in physical systems.

Formalism of absolute relativity.

Topology, Fractal, non-Euclidean Geometries, and ternary logic, further evolved by this author (definition of the first four non-Euclidean postulates and the paradoxical logic of information) become the formal tools to study those invariances represented by a feed-back, fractal generator equation.

The 5 invariances of the Universe, motion & energy (E), form or information (i), its combined actions, its cyclical time frequency or quantization, ∑E, ∏I, and their self-similarity through discontinuous space-time scales (i can be formalized with a feed-back equation, the Fractal Generator of the Universe - Max. ∑ Ei-1 ∏ Ti - which maximizes them, under the restrictions of the Non-Euclidean, Non- Aristotelian mathematical and logic laws that describe each invariance.

The fractal generator represents many things: the principle of conservation of energy and information; the complementary structure of all systems made of energy fields/bodies and informative heads/particles, the actions all systems enact to improve their chances of survival by maximizing their invariances; while its maximal points become the topological forms, ages and allowed states of all biological and physical systems: Max. E (sphere, energetic youth, gas); Max. ExI -> E=I, (toroid, reproductive age, liquid) and Max. I (zero point, 3^rd informative age, solid).

Since all stable systems are a combination of the 3 topologies that maximize the fractal generator and all existences a motion in time through its 3 maximal points, while all failed mutations and unstable particles are incomplete sets or ‘vibrational modes’ created around them.

Reason why I call the Fractal Generator, the Equation of Exi=stence - an algorithm, constantly run by the Universe that generates all its living and non-living systems in space and its ages/states of time and matter.

In this conference we introduce the 5 invariances and the fractal generator, showing how they create in its maximal points the species of all sciences across the 5^th dimension of fractal scales of space-time.

TRUE, GOOD AND GENERAL SYSTEM THEORIES: How to Develop and Evaluate Them

Carl Slawski — 2013-03-08

See prior submission.

From Bertalanffy to Discipline-Independent-Transdisciplinarity

Vincent Vesterby — 2013-03-09

When Bertalanffy advocated a new scientific discipline called general system theory, this generalist mode of understanding was to be based on the isomorphism of laws, principles, and models in the different sciences, and on structural uniformities (isomorphies) in the subject matters of those sciences. There is a conceptual shift in Bertalanffy’s work from the logico-mathematical mode to a deeper more complex understanding. There is a corresponding shift in the understanding of isomorphies from the isomorphy of laws and principles to the isomorphy of qualities of real systems. The recognition of isomorphies in real situations and systems has resulted in the creation of the modern generalist mode of understanding and from there the development of discipline-independent-transdisciplinarity. This paper gives an introduction to this form of transdisciplinarity, and explains how this mode of understanding naturally develops a universal transdisciplinary language.

Existing and Emerging Methods for Integrating Theories Within and Between Disciplines

Steve Wallis — 2013-03-10

For natural systems or service systems most research may be categorized as inductive or deductive. While these are good for “normal” science, more interesting revolutions in science may occur when a deep thinker considers two theories and seeks to compare, contrast, and combine them. Galileo and Einstein both began with this kind of approach. Because of the paradigmatic revolutions they triggered, we all lead much richer lives. Were they unique in their ability to seek and find new insights from existing theories? Or, is this an approach that we all may use? In this paper, we will investigate multiple methods for integrating theories to determine which ones might be more useful. The results suggest that more rigorous methods provide a more useful and more systemic approach to integrating theories.

OBSERVING MANAGERIAL DECISION-MAKING AND INFORMATION FLOW FROM WITHIN THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AN EMERGING ORGANIZATION: A LIVING SYSTEMS ACTION-RESEARCH PROJECT

Sean William Coutts — 2013-03-09

The investigation looked at a not-for-profit (NFP) organization referred to as SELF, which consisted of three for-profit, socially involved corporations, each serving on the Board. The problem was conceived of as an information overload situation which impacts the quality of decision-making at the highest organizational level, given the variety of information that must be processed by the Board of Directors, for example, financial, social, technological, and qualitative. The research used Living Systems Theory (LST) to take an organismic point of view in order to capture multiple forms of information as the organization evolves and adapts. The LST frame provided categories to tag and map information flows at a cross-level analysis at the “Decider” level. The research study is based on action-research, which takes place in iterative cycles of action and reflection. The research subjects were active participants in the research design and execution.

USING VIABLE SYSTEMS MODEL AS A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL OF THE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

Abraham Briones-Jaurez — 2013-03-09

The ethical awareness of sustainability has originated new ways to integrate the resources of natural systems with economic development, reducing the negative impacts caused by the traditional production systems of goods and services. In the current scenario there are few forms of sustainable management using appropriate diagnostic tools to support the management of the complexity of tourism systems. In this paper we propose: 1 diagnose sustainable tourism systems by mean of The Viable Systems Model considering international standards in sustainability. 2 Integrate the role of all involved, including tourism businesses, local governments, and the recipient population, among others. 3 Consider the design and implementation of public policies to control of ecological impact activities.

Developing Resilience in Project Teams: A Path to Enabling Organizations for Thrivability

Mary C Edson — 2013-03-09

ABSTRACT

This paper relates to an ongoing systems research conversation, “Enabling organizations for thrivability: New perspectives on form, structure, and process in favor of human and societal prosperity.” It focuses on the question, “What could we possibly achieve if we co-create radical innovative patterns together, learning from other practitioners who are experienced in biology, technology, sociology, management, development, design, and ...?” Based on project team research viewed through a lens of complex adaptive systems and an adaptive model used in ecology, I will address “thrivability” in terms of collaboration, innovation, and learning. Specifically, my objective is to explore how project teams collaborate to co-create value as complex adaptive social systems in a multidisciplinary environment. In addition, innovation is explored as the impetus of creative destruction and its outcomes. Further, organizational resilience, specifically through development of adaptive capacity, is revealed as an outcome of learning through leveraging multidisciplinary experience.

When one “thrives”, it means one is “to grow vigorously (flourish), to gain in wealth or possessions (prosper), and to progress toward or realize a goal (succeed). It may be understood as a step beyond sustaining, which implies nourishment, support, preservation, and maintenance. Organizationally, thriving can mean expanding resources, expertise, productivity, and profitability. Beyond maintaining an operational model, our organizational objective, in this discussion, is not to merely sustain but thrive. In other words, humanistic values are not only the baseline for ethical decision making, but inform how an organization operates in time and space (i.e. daily, locally, and globally).

When goals are not specifically defined, but are questions of “what could we possibly achieve,” there is inherent risk in not knowing what to expect. A systems perspective can be valuable in defining systems boundaries - context, stakeholders, and impacts, through useful tools such as feedback. For example, the mission set out in the question of “what is possible” can be framed within a context of ethical and social responsibility, given the nature of the mission’s objectives. Such an open-ended mission is challenging, especially to project managers, who often have an aversion to committing to amorphous goals, much less in terms of co-creation of radical innovative patterns across disciplines. As a former project manager, I take a practical approach to most issues with which I am confronted. As a result, my question is, “In practical terms, how can we achieve this mission?”

One reason this mission is challenging per se, is that the introduction of “radical” ideas provokes resistance in most organizations, especially those that are change adverse. It also requires dialogue across disciplines for exploration of models that may provide insight into issues that have not traditionally embraced concepts outside the confines of one discipline. This requires impartiality to a practical application of theoretical pluralism for the purposes of learning different approaches to problem solving. It also requires establishment of trust in the process of emergence of new ideas, concepts, and models of design, problem solving, and delivery.

Research exploring the dynamics of group development and ecological adaptation has shown that resilient organizations encourage development of adaptive capacity. Practically, adaptive capacity is operational flexibility that allows for risk taking, questioning standard operating processes, and learning from experience. The lessons learned are then incorporated into future projects and reorganization of resources. Project leadership plays an essential role in shifting group norms and processes to promote adaptive capacity. Embracing change (incremental and transformational) and trust in the emergence of innovation are hallmarks of organizational resilience. Project teams that have developed adaptive capacity become leverage points as sources for organizational resilience and, subsequently, a path toward thrivability.

The concept of resilience in community and engineered systems - a cross sectoral feeding of ideas

Timothy LJ Ferris — 2013-03-10

Apithological Systems Theory: Learnings from Ecology

Will Varey — 2013-03-09

Apithology is the field of study that considers the generative dynamics of living systems. A distinguishing feature of apithological praxis is the inclusion of the effects of the system dynamics of human thought. This involves the depiction of systems of thought as complex inter-linked hierarchies in multi-spatial arrangements. This generates distinctive questions for the framing of its observations.

One field which has considered the problems of epistemological choices in formulating similar observations is the discipline of systems ecology. The proposition of this paper is that the learnings gained from the field of systems ecology may inform a theory of praxis for apithological systems inquiries.

Bateson (1972) proposed that deutero-learning (i.e. Learning II) occurs when there is a progressive change in the rate of proto-learning (i.e. Learning I) by adaptation of learning to different contexts. The presence of proto-learning within one field of thinking (i.e. ecological systems) provides the opportunity for deutero-learning in the field of thought (i.e. apithological systems).

Extending from the study of ecological systems, five questions are noted as junctures for the selection of framing choices in the observation of complex systems. Using a criteria for philosophical coherence, a conjunction of natural and service systems is proposed. From this base, five category errors of thinking that change the quality of the results of those framing choices are identified.

Within this premise, specific learnings gained from the study of ecological systems are applied as deutero-learning opportunities and adapted for the study of thought-ecologies. To conclude, apithological principles applying those learnings are proposed for the observation of systems of thought.

From this analysis, five observational protocols are derived as requirements for the praxis of apithology. Reflections are provided on the systemic effect of coherency in the presence or absence of these five considerations on the human capacity for knowing and unknowing. This leads to a third-order insight in practice for the enablement of generativity in the ecology of human thought.

SOCIAL ADAPTABILITY OF COMMUNITIES OF PRACTICE CASE STUDIES: A review of indicators and developments for economic sustainability

Susu Nousala — 2013-03-10

Complex Adaptive Systems have been of interest to academic observers for approximately 60 years as a specialised area within complexity. Whilst some attention has been given specifically to Social Complex Adaptive Systems (SCAS), this area is not as well understood, with less attention and focus on both the adaptability of communities within SCAS and how they establish sustainable communities. Using case studies and paying attention to Communities of Practice (CoP) this paper will investigate specifically the use of CoPs to enhance an understanding of organisational dynamics and economic indicators for sustainable community development.

This paper summarises some key elements regarding social complex systems and poses question for discussion; what are the fundamental relationship elements for socially adaptability of communities within social complex adaptive systems? To understand this question, elements from several case studies were highlighted and discussed, as a basis for identifying instances and their methodological approach that resulted in exposing interesting emergent properties that displayed through the following:

1. A CoP developing sustainable areas of importance through mutual mixtures of interest and consensus on several levels, individual, group and external interaction with the group.

2. Learning of the dynamics of interest and consensus interactive layers via a case of SME interacting with a larger organization for mutual sustainable business and economic development

SPT I.: IDENTIFYING FUNDAMENTAL SYSTEMS PROCESSES FOR A GENERAL THEORY OF SYSTEMS

Len Troncale — 2014-02-02

This paper is one of a series that further develops the System of Systems Processes Theory (SoSPT) which is an attempt at unification of the results of a wide range of systems theories and natural science experiments to enable development of a true “science” of systems. The central purpose of the SoSPT is to achieve a very detailed description of “how systems work.” In this paper we explain our work of identifying fundamental systems processes found in some form in many systems. We explain why we focus on isomorphic processes as a practical and useful framework for unifying diverse systems theories at the necessary abstraction level for a general theory. We begin with a definition of “process” in general and distinguish this from a “systems-level” process. We present arguments and evidence that support the position that systems-level processes are fundamental to the origin and maintenance of systems of all kinds and thus important for synthesizing the very fragmented systems literature. We argue that the natural science literature (e.g. astronomy, physics, chemistry, geology, biology, mathematics, computer science) constitutes studies of real, successful systems by the scientific method and so also are a key source that must be integrated with the synthesized systems literature to achieve a unified “science” of systems. Earlier versions of SoSPT presented ~110 systems processes. Here we introduce some of arguments used to determine if a candidate system process remained on the list or not to reduce the list to a more manageable 55 candidate systems processes. As examples of this procedure, we cover sixteen specific, individual, surviving candidate systems processes to illustrate the arguments used to decide whether or not to include each on the list. This is a work in progress and the list will continue to change as the concept of system processes is further examined and understood and new SPs are discovered and elucidated. It is important to note that this is a recursive process because puzzling over the candidate systems-level processes will discipline our definitions and criteria for recognizing new and judging current candidate systems processes. The paper concludes with insights gained from this effort and with a projection of work yet to be completed for a true “science” of systems to emerge.

SPT II.: HOW TO FIND & MAP LINKAGE PROPOSITIONS FOR A GTS FROM THE NATURAL SCIENCES LITERATURE

Curt McNamara — 2014-03-10

This paper continues a series that further develops the Systems Processes Theory (SPT) – as a candidate general theory of systems (GTS) that is tightly coupled to the experimental results of the several natural sciences and a half-century of systems research in an attempt to produce a true “science” of systems. This paper focuses on the discovery and documentation of mutual, causal “influences” between 55 systems processes (SPs) that were critically selected in a previous paper (Friendshuh & Troncale, 2012). We call these mutual, non-linear, causal influences, or other impacts or relations, Linkage Propositions (LPs). LPs create a “net” of interacting systems processes that we claim explains, “how many systems work” in a more detailed and experimentally verified manner than many previous systems theories. This paper begins by defining LPs and suggests criteria for determining what is and is not an LP. It continues with 30 case studies of finding possible LPs in the peer-reviewed literature of the natural sciences from quantum physics to astronomy to chemistry to geology to biology to ecology to network theory, even to human systems. We emphasize the steps that could be used by any informed investigator to find their own LPs between systems processes in personal scans of the available scientific literature. The paper continues by comparing several available computer tools that could be used to graphically portray the SP-LP network. Each is evaluated for usability, simplicity, and breadth of applicability. The tools are compared by applying them to making an overview map of the defining characteristics of Linkage Propositions. Then one of them, CMAP, is used to show how the new LPs suggested in this paper can be graphically related to previous CMAPs of the SPT. The paper closes with an image of future work that would further contribute to building, testing, and applying the SPT to complex systems of systems problems facing humanity today.

REMOVING THE CHASM WITH COMMUNICATION

Katri-Liisa Pulkkinen — 2013-03-09

In developing a global eco-community, communication is a key lever, as people adopt new ideas for different reasons and in different ways. Just like early markets and mainstream markets are different from each other in adopting products, also innovative and visionary actors in the field of sustainable lifestyles are different from the mainstream actors, who should also be involved in change. This difference creates a risk of a chasm in the flow of adoption of new ideas. To build a global eco-community, a more sustainable lifestyle should become mainstream. In striving toward this, it is important to see that most people act as pragmatists in adopting new ideas and that communication between different actors influences how panarchic systems change.

Modeling Organizational Ethics as Nonlinear Dynamic Systems (a modest proposal)

E John Vodonick — 2013-03-10

This paper explores the methods by which human values are expressed in the decision making process that is called ethics. In this paper I argue that modeling human ethical structures, particularly in these times of rapid social and environmental change is helpful if not necessary to understand why some decision making processes do not result in an outcome that coincides with fundamental values.

This paper begins with an exploration of the methodology of modeling and the use of models as sense making tools. The structure and theory of modeling is presented from the viewpoints of Woofram, Bateson and Miller and Page. The selection of the model of nonlinear complex adaptive systems as a model for organizational ethics systems is justified by drawing on the use of that model in other human systems.

Next, the ethical landscape is presented to illustrate the breadth of human value structure and ethical systems. The serious nature of the disconnect between fundamental human values and the ethical systems that drive the decision making processes in human organizations is discussed and a model of nonlinear complex adaptive systems built from the structure of those ethical processes with regard to the elements of phase space, attractors, emergent properties and self-organization. Finally some possible applications for this model in the organizational environment are discussed.

Causal Loops in Automotive Recycling

Ezzat El Halabi — 2013-03-08

Each year in Australia, more than 610,000 cars reach the end of their use cycle; termed End of Life Vehicles (ELVs). The market-driven recycling of ELVs in Australia is done by operators in the automotive industry with no ELV-specific policies governing their operations. System Dynamics is applied to the automotive recycling sector. Across three Australian states, thirteen stakeholder interviews were conducted to identify the flows of materials in the system and the influencing factors driving these flows. This paper presents a discussion of the causal loops and scenarios identified from interview data and field observations around the dynamics of ELV Sourcing, Workforce, and Premises relating to the automotive recycling business.

TECHNOLOGY POLICIES FOR EDUCATION SYSTEMS

Elvira Avalos-Villareal — 2013-03-09

Knowledge is the main interest in universities, enterprises and research institutes. National systems of innovation and production are also related to technology and knowledge. Unfortunately technology policies and management knowledge policies in both levels seem to be inexistent in most cases or disconnected in few cases which are more or less defined.

National Systems of Innovation may be viewed as a way of encompassing the many relationships between technology, economic development , trade, education quality and social improvement .

Technological learning and its application across sectors of a country require of an education system strong, up dated and efficient to guarantee competitiveness in terms of production

The links between national science, technology, industry, education, economic development systems are many and each of them receives the effect of the others- So the policies on each of them need to be defined as an integral whole-. Strategic orientation, formulation and integration is the support and a good way to have good results in the market competence.

Public management In almost all countries is not enough systemic nor integral to make possible a design of a set of policies in the mentioned fields.

Particularly in emergent countries it is necessary to make an effort to assure a better congruence between policies. This paper tries to help achieve this purpose.

Research on Fourth Grade Classroom RoundTables: Steps to a Tool for Systemic School Renewal and Advances in Service Science

Susan Farr Gabriele — 2013-03-08

Weekly “30/30 RoundTables” (30 minutes, 30 students) were implemented in two Fourth Grade classrooms year-long to determine their potential as tools for systemic school renewal--whether RoundTables were 1- sustainable: engaging and ongoing; 2- inclusive: democratically participatory; and 3- emancipatory: accelerating positive learning. These three criteria are proposed as necessary and sufficient conditions of an innovation within in an educational service system, in order to best enhance development of school participants as natural systems. Students took turns leading using a one-page RoundTable script which allots five minutes for the leader’s guide, readings/reviews, and teacher-suggested topic and 25 minutes for student responses--time distributed equally among all. Time-and-task analyses and questionnaire/interviews yielded promising results. RoundTables increased learning opportunities in reliable, measurable ways. Students liked equal turns, being leader, and hearing classmates’ comments. Future studies will: 1- add Faculty-, PTA-, and District-RoundTables to investigate systemic school renewal; and 2- correlate 30+ random RoundTable-using classrooms with STAR scores, predicting measurable group quality and statistical significance.

TEACHING LIVING SYSTEMS AWARENESS AS A CHANGE AGENT SKILL FOR A VIBRANT SUSTAINABLE WORLD

Barbara Widhalm — 2013-03-09

How can we design learning experiences so that they mimic an ecological, living system? How can learners fully experience the group as a living, vibrant, organic whole and unleash its creative? The process of stimulating “living systems awareness” and self-organizing creativity in learning communities, such as any courses, workshops, or conferences, is a truly integrative challenge that involves multiple dimensions of learning experience design: how we set up the visible and  invisible learning space (structural-spatial dimension), how we pace and allow for flow according to nature’s rhythms (rhythmic-temporal dimension), how we allow for creative expression from the whole person (expressive-extrarational dimension), how we encourage the mind to understand and utilize systems analysis and systems design across disciplines (cognitive-rational dimension), and how we integrate this awareness in our practice (practical dimension). If all these aspects mimic and stimulate living systems dynamics, learners are more likely to co-create life-sustaining ideas, designs and structures. Particularly, there is value in nurturing autopoiesis in the classroom, which is a process of self-organizing, self-renewing development in living systems. When a system has a semi-permeable boundary, when there is rich information and resource exchange within that boundary, and when the system draws inspiration from its environment outside the boundary, something new arises that is greater than any participant could have come up with on their own. In order to revert the downward spiral of the industrial growth society, we urgently need to develop a multitude of life-sustaining innovations and regenerative design ideas in education. Because of the fragile state of the planet, an autopoietic approach to teaching is very timely. By integrating living systems awareness through multiple ways of knowing, learners can internalize the principles and processes that sustain all life on earth more fully and are therefore better prepared to take action in an increasingly unpredictable world.

This paper explores how to utilize the principles of living systems as metapatterns to guide instructional design. It summarizes key insights from the author’s recently published dissertation Nature as Guide to Vibrant Learning. The author then introduces a series of guiding questions and instructional design examples that allow for the integration of living systems awareness in any project or group process, across multiple dimensions of learning experience design. Particular emphasis is placed on the structural-spatial, rhythmic-temporal, and expressive-extrarational dimension, which deserve much greater attention in education for a healthier world.

THE ROLE OF SYNERGY IN THE EVOLUTION OF LIVING SYSTEMS

Peter Andrew Corning — 2013-03-10

Living Systems Theory (LST), as well as System of Systems Processes Theory (SSP), Relational Biology and other theory and research in the systems sciences and complexity science have illuminated many aspects of how living systems work – their mechanisms, processes and relationships. The Synergism Hypothesis, originally proposed in 1983, addresses the evolution of “cooperation” in nature and why there has been a secular trend over time toward increased complexity in living systems. The theory highlights the role of functional synergy – adaptively significant combined effects that are interdependent and otherwise unattainable – in shaping the “progressive” emergence of complex living systems, an approach that is entirely consistent with modern evolutionary biology and natural selection theory. It is thus radically opposed to various orthogenetic/deterministic theories of complexity that have been proposed over the years. This theory has recently gained scientific support, and there is growing appreciation for the role of various kinds of synergy as an influence in the evolutionary process.

A Systems Science Perspective for Supply Chain Management

Isaias Badillo-Piña — 2012-11-05

The Supply Chain Management (SCM) is a socio-technical system designed and managed to deliver products and services from raw materials to end customers through a logistic network of physical, information, financial and human resources.

The physical components of a typical supply chain include several production facilities, inventory warehouses, modes of transportation and distribution channels.

In order to synchronize demand of end products or services with supply of raw materials cash flow and human resources, it is necessary to have an information system like the popular Enterprise Resources Planning System (ERP) improved with some additional specific modules to strategic planning and corporate management of the Supply Chain.

Of course the Supply Chain Management requires an especial organization different from the traditional hierarchy. The paper will describe a recursive special organization for the Supply Chains Management based on the Viable Systems Model (VSM). This model of organization takes in consideration several feedback cycles of the production systems the local future and vital interaction between the market and the supply chain.

Incidentally, the inventory system in a supply chain has a special attribute that needs too much attention. It is called bullwhip effect (quite similar to the butterfly effect) because small changes in the demand downstream the supply chain; generate extreme changes in the supply positions upstream. It means that the inventories can quickly move from being backordered to being in excess.

DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A BUSINESS GAME FOR THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN POOR COMMUNITIES IN BRAZILDEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A BUSINESS GAME FOR THE TRAINING OF SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS IN POOR COMMUNITIES IN BRAZIL

Luiz Cesar Barçante — 2013-04-02

This paper presents the Game of Social Entrepreneurship, which is used in the training of entrepreneurs in Brazilian needy communities. The methodology adopted follows the approach of learning through a process in which students act as the main actors of learning. The final result is not the most important one, but the exercise of planning and decision making, which allows participants to learn through a sequential process of decisions and feedback. At the end of the game participants should re-evaluate all decisions and try to tell poor decisions apart of right decisions.

The social entrepreneur is an agent of process transformation in the social sector where the main result of this process is neither a commodity nor a service (as in business) or a regulation (as in government), but a human being transformed. He actually produces a change in circumstances and in human lives.

The social entrepreneur has some specific characteristics like the valuation of human being (cooperation, solidarity, fairness, competence, accountability and economic stringency), the historical and geographical knowledge of the community and of the evolution of mankind (he understands the cultural differences that exist in Brazilian society, which allow him to experience the effects of social exclusion, such as urban violence, child exploitation, marginalization of the elderly, prejudices and drug trafficking), and needs to have managerial ability (values both operational routine and organizational innovation). That is, he is able to reconcile operational part with projects, which constitute the core activity of social institutions, justifying its existence.

The Game of Social Entrepreneurship is an eight week-game, with a three hour-class per week. The subjects covered in the first four classes are Vision and Mission, Principles of Excellence; Costs and Pricing, Revenue and Expenditure, Income Statement, Assets, Liabilities and Balance Accounting. It is during the four last weeks that what we call plays occur, that is, all the recreational activities of purchasing, production, sales, completion of reports. The game ends with two moves and their respective feedbacks. After each move, a comparative analysis of a business session is made during an assembly.

Small businesses. Great businessmen. A different look to review their problems

Ricardo Barrera — 2013-03-09

During last three years, in four cities of Argentine (Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Bariloche and Trelew) management´s students of University of Buenos Aires, National University of Córdoba, National University of Río Negro and National University of Patagonia S.J.B., under direction of Eugenio Zwarycz & Eduardo Fuks in Buenos Aires, Ana Leal in Córdoba and Adriana Fantini, Eduardo Scagnetti & Marta Dans in Patagonia, 474 interviews and a survey about SMES. In Ushuaia, informatics’ students under supervision of Jorge Ontiveros & José Artaza processed surveys. The research was conducted by Enrique Herrscher and Ricardo Barrera.

We analyzed categories of SMES by size, activity under complexity paradigm, another surveys and bibliography, established to test hypothesis and theoretical framework, designed the survey and set operational standards for students to ensure high quality and homogeneity in that surveys.

We investigated possible correlations and causal relationships, changed assumptions. We found “other” complexity: a step up in the category.

It also emerged a new factor on the complexity: difference between level and trend. It also has challenged widespread views, in that many of those interviewed (40%) consider their size advantage over the competition.

Understanding Systems Thinking: An Agenda for Applied Research in Industry

Pamela Buckle Henning — 2012-11-05

Why systems thinking is valuable is relatively easy to explain. However, in the authors’ work as university educators, teaching a student processes of enquiry that are themselves systemic is a difficult undertaking. The capacity to view the world in systemic ways seems an innate characteristic that some individuals possess. Might it be the case that being a systems thinker is dependent on holding a particular worldview? Systems theorists have evolved tools and methodologies to help people do systems thinking. Is being a user of systems methods the same as being a systems thinker? Are certain cognitive competencies, styles, or preferences required for people to make effective use of such tools and methodologies?

Identifying Great Places to Work: A Systems Framework

Mary E. Henderson — 2013-03-09

Everyday life in the United States of America is infused with contact with organizations and a majority of adult citizens spend a large percentage of their working lives associated with them. With this much time invested, the working environment can have a significant influence on an individual’s well-being. Therefore, it is important that organizations provide fulfilling work environments for their employees. An analysis of Fortune magazine’s 100 Great Places to Work For listing provided clues that working environments are more satisfactory if the organization encouraged closeness, camaraderie, and trust among its employees. Closeness, camaraderie, and trust are attributes of effective groups, yet great places to work were identified largely through an aggregate of individual responses. This paper concentrated on the group dynamics inherent in organizations and their effect on how an organization was perceived as a great place to work by its employees. Using living systems theory combined with a systems approach to understanding organizations, nine characteristics common to both groups and organizations were identified. It was shown that the common attributes are expressed in a limited range in groups while organizations can tolerate a much wider expression of the factors. A framework was developed combining the nine characteristics common to both groups and organizations to provide insights into group dynamics present in organizations. Organizations that encourage group processes appeared to be considered superior places to work. Unlocking the secrets to aligning the interest of corporations and employees has primarily focused on individual responses. This study concentrated on organizations themselves as units of analyses and showed that group characteristics within organizations have a strong influence on how the organization is perceived by its employees.

Satellite System Problems in Mexico

Cirilo Gabino León Vega — 2013-03-12

The Mexican government managed its satellite system from 1985 to 1996. After that Satmex, a private company was contracted. For financial and administrative problems it has not been possible to replace the satellites that go out of service in 2011 (Solidaridad II) and 2013 (Satmex 5) For this reason the Mexican government, at the end of 2011, announced through the Secretaria de Comunicaciones y transportes (SCT) that the Mexsat system would commence under the control of pubic administration. However is not possible in such a short time to solve this problem due to the risk that Mexico could lose a geo-stationary orbit. The goal of this work is to avoid situations like this, promote public and private investment, provide an efficient, fast, safe and cheap service that meets the demands of users. To achieve this, we need technology management, which allows making new proposals according to the needs of the country. This management involves: political, social and economic fields.

A planning model will be proposed with a systemic approach based on planning models including those of George Stainer, Russell Ackoff in order to detect system problems, causes and propose strategies and solutions for the technological management of the Mexican Satellite System. This will be based on the standards, conventions and national regulations of international satellite communication systems, to rationalize the system of knowledge to make an impact on this country's technological development

Fractal Organization Theory

Janna Raye — 2013-03-10

Paper number: 001 (Assigned by Journal editor)

Fractal Organization Theory

Janna Raye

8 Halsey Ave., Petaluma, CA 94952, JRaye@StrateGems.com

Fractal Organization Theory proposes that human institutions with natural hierarchy systems focus upon shared purpose and values for accomplishing their endeavors, allow universal participation in ideas and solutions, and devote leadership to inspiring, guiding, and mentoring members. In fractal organizations, relationship development is key to utilizing information effectively and competing externally as a group for resources in the marketplace.

For centuries humans have used top-down hierarchy systems in social institutions. These hierarchies are shaped like triangles or pyramids, which are non-scalable limiting shapes according to Benoit Mandlebrot, the father of fractal geometry. The mathematics of fractal geometry illustrates repeating patterns in flora, fauna, geography, and galaxies. The constants in the equations of Nature's living systems are both scalable and self-similar, which ensures pattern integrity during adaptations to changing conditions.

Top-down hierarchies are typically characterized by command-and-control systems of authority that create harmful stress and internal competition for advancement within the organization. The pervading perception is of limited room at the top, where positions of authority become scarce resources for which members compete. When competition energy is focused internally rather than externally, members withhold or hoard information and limit an organization's ability to be creative, adaptive, healthy, and evolutionary. In Nature, species cooperate internally in order to compete externally for resources, ensuring the survival of the group.

Fractal patterns illustrate the expansion and flow of information within hierarchies of matter/energy, including human bodies. Social institutions are also living systems; in order to be healthy and regenerative, they require a constant to maintain their integrity. Alignment with shared purpose and core values is the constant in a fractal organization: as members align with this constant while expressing their individuality, their creativity curves toward best outcomes for the collective purpose.

Start-up organizations and established institutions with collaborative intentions, such as the ISSS, often operate as fractal organizations. Members willingly share information in an open atmosphere with values such as honesty and respect for individual perspectives. Some members are more inclined to be leaders of people, while others prefer to manage things and processes (including customer and vendor relationships). An expansive attitude prevails and each member is encouraged to grow to his or her potential. Leadership is focused upon developing this potential by inspiring shared purpose and values, guiding members toward the collective goals, and mentoring members for advancement.

In fractal organizations information flows from the edges, where front-line and functional members interact with the environment of customers, partners, vendors, and competitors, to the center of the organization where core leaders focus upon strategy and resource allocation. In a continuous feedback loop, information flows toward the center of the organization where core leaders formulate and refine perspectives about their organization's interaction with the environment and align constrained resources with the organization's shared purpose and values.

Leaders throughout are intermediaries for information exchanges between the edges and the center and are enabled by technology systems. Leaders at all levels are focused upon relationships-on the teams they lead, with fellow leaders, and between functional teams and the external environment. The importance of unrestricted information flows requires devoting time and mental resources to enabling these flows between the edges and the center.

The quality of communication is essential; negative harmonics and noise such as fear, misalignment of intentions, and diction errors can lead to speed loss and entropy, resulting in poor decision making and uncalculated risk taking. Every situation has all the information necessary for making good decisions and taking measured risks; members of fractal organizations spend more time in conversations so that all the information available in their varied perspectives is collectively shared and considered.

problem solving and systems science

Janos Korn — 2013-03-08

The structure of problem solving inclusive that of design thinking is outlined. The generality of change of physical or mental states of chosen empirical objects is stated. Any one of such states may be identified subjectively by an observer as a problematic initial state. This kind of state can then be reverted either into a satisfactory previous state from which it has arisen, or turned into a final state which is regarded as its resolution. Changes of state are caused to occur as a result of chance or by the action of purposive systems. The structure of such systems consists of interacting components of related elements. The components perform specific functions the performance of which may be subject to will, feelings, emotions or instinct in case of living in particular human components. The components are arranged in specific topology, all this is a matter for systems science.

Static and dynamic linguistic modelling is regarded to form the analytical basis of systems science and that of a design methodology. This methodology acts as a guide in creating symbolic models of purposive systems or prototypes which perform so as to transform a problematic initial state of a chosen object either into a satisfactory previous state or a final state. Problem solving and systems science are thus form a unique whole.

SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF SEISMIC ACTIVITY OCCURRED IN THE COCOS PLATE, MEXICO

Julian Patino-Ortiz — 2013-03-09

Currently, it has not been fully understand the process that generates seismic activity and under what laws it operates, which has led to analysis from different perspectives and approaches to understand the phenomenon, that is why, in this research, the goal is to analyze the spatial distribution of seismic activity occurred in the Cocos Plate, located in Mexico with various techniques and methods among which are Fractal mechanics, some seismic scaling laws and the spatial distances of seismic events occurred in the said plate. That, in order to find some parameters that let define whether there is any relationship between the places of occurrence of the next event with previous events. This would help in moving towards earthquake prediction.

Within the large number of seismic events, it can be observed that even though big events have little statistical weight (10-bM), the radiating energy (10^{3M / 2}) that they release grows faster than what it decays and although large earthquakes are rare events, they are the ones that determine the energy dissipation in the system, and are therefore those with the greatest destructive potential for populations that are located in seismic areas and therefore are certainly of interest to science.

THE SYSTEMS SCIENCE APPROACH FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF RAINFALL IN THE MEXICO´S VALLEY

Miguel Patino-Ortiz — 2013-03-09

The Mexico City population has grown significantly in recent years; the concentration of population in the city has brought greater demand for water for their daily requirements. The natural aquifers basin of Mexico Valley has been overexploited. There is a considerable imbalance in the amount of water needed for natural recharge of the aquifers of the City; the problem arose because the natural recharging system was obstructed by the construction of infrastructure, roads, buildings and unsustainable policies, until the limits of resilience of the water system.

Based on statistics of the area, it shows that the annual rainfall over the basin is far more than needed to meet consumption of the population. However, most of this water is not utilized efficiently, which is not only a serious error, but also helps in increasing the problems of drainage and water extraction from the subsoil of the city.

This paper shows the development of a study to characterize the rainfall in the Valley of Mexico, the results would contribute to comprehensively manage the recharge of groundwater with the use of rainwater and the design of a model of behavior recharge and water extraction.

The development of this project is funded by the Institute of Science and Technology of the Federal District (ICyTDF), Mexico.

Contested Modelling

Mike Yearworth — 2012-11-05

We suggest that the role and function of expert computational modelling in real-world decision-making needs scrutiny and practices need to change. We discuss some empirical and theory-based improvements to the coupling of the modelling process and the real world, including social and behavioural processes, which we have expressed as a set of questions that we believe need to be answered by all projects engaged in such modelling. These are based on a systems analysis of four research initiatives, covering different scales and timeframes, and addressing the complexity of intervention in a sustainability context. Our proposed improvements require new approaches for analysing the relationship between a project’s models and its publics. They reflect what we believe is a necessary and beneficial dialogue between the realms of expert scientific modelling and systems thinking. This paper is an attempt to start that process, itself reflecting a robust dialogue between two practitioners sat within differing traditions, puzzling how to integrate perspectives and achieve wider participation in researching this problem space.