The Current Version of Emery's Open Systems Theory

There are variations on the idea of an open systems theory (OST) or socioecology. This paper deals with the "current" variant developed primarily by Fred Emery, or OST(E). It is "current" because that terminology acknowledges a continuing development of knowledge. OST(E) is heir to a long line of intellectual development known as the "thin red line" and can be distinguished from other variants by its adherence to that line of development. The paper outlines the state of the art of OST(E) and its historical relation to the thin rd line.     

复杂动力系统初探

探讨传统动力系统与复杂系统之间的关系，并指出某些系统确实具有复杂系统的明显特征，首先研究切换系统，指出这种系统具有1＋1≠2的的特征，并进一步研究这种系统的一些特点，其次，考虑一类动力系统的演化模型，指出这种系统改变着自己的环境和形态，但某些性质不变，将其称为遗传性质，这是我们用严格数学理论与动力系统理论研究复杂系统的尝试。     

CONVERGENCE OF A CLASS OF MULTI-AGENT SYSTEMS IN PROBABILISTIC FRAMEWORK

Multi-agent systems arise from diverse fields in natural and artificial systems, and a basic problem is to understand how locally interacting agents lead to collective behaviors （e.g., synchronization） of the overall system. In this paper, we will consider a basic class of multi-agent systems that are described by a simplification of the well-known Vicsek model. This model looks simple, but the rigorous theoretical analysis is quite complicated, because there are strong nonlinear interactions among the agents in the model. In fact, most of the existing results on synchronization need to impose a certain connectivity condition on the global behaviors of the agents＇ trajectories （or on the closed-loop dynamic neighborhood graphs）, which are quite hard to verify in general. In this paper, by introducing a probabilistic framework to this problem, we will provide a complete and rigorous proof for the fact that the overall multi-agent system will synchronize with large probability as long as the number of agents is large enough. The proof is based on a detailed analysis of both the dynamical properties of the nonlinear system evolution and the asymptotic properties of the spectrum of random geometric graphs.     

Toward a Holistic View of Staff Development of Regional Tutorial Staff at the Open University

This paper presents a personal account of the theory and practice of staff development of Open University (OU) tutorial staff, based on nearly 30 years' experience, during which I have consciously reflected on my work, continually building on what has seemed important. It results from an extensive process of reflection in which I have tried to capture an understanding of what I do, with the aid of systems models. Some of the basic assumptions and systems models I present have more or less stood the test of time for a number of years; others are the result of my latest reflections. I show how I have used systems concepts and methods to form a coherent, holistic framework for developing tutorial staff in the East Anglian Region of the OU. Two aspects of this work are emphasized: first, the role that staff development can play in improving tutors' basic skills and understanding of their role; second, how the quality of their work is managed through using feedback and the notions of single- and double-loop learning. An important feature of this work has been the setting-up of communities of practice which enable learning by individual tutors to be shared with their peers and transformed into organizational learning for general use. Starting with some basic assumptions about staff development, a number of systemic models are presented which fit into a coherent framework, linking theory to practice and embodying Rene Dubos' (1972) well-known dictum to "Think globally, act locally."     

Opportunity Initiated Systems Design

This paper proposes a design theory of how opportunities might be used to facilitate change within a system, particularly an educational system. Opportunity Initiated Systems Design (OISD) is a system design model that retains the values and goals of Idealized Systems Design (ISD) yet incorporates other models of systemic change to form a simpler, more practical theory of systems design. Traditional barriers to ISD are discussed, used as the basis for describing suggest an alternative theory of systems design. The paper articulates the values and goals of OISD and outlines a theory of OISD. The six phases of OISD are presented, including specific guidelines for implementing OISD. Limitations of OISD and implications for further research are discussed.     

随机干扰下降阶时延混沌系统的自适应广义投影同步

研究随机干扰下降阶时延混沌系统的广义投影同步(RLGPSS).结合自适应控制方法和反馈控制技术,设计控制器和参数自适应更新律,实现混沌系统的RLGPSS问题,同时,对于系统未知参数能够有效的辨识.数值仿真结果证实了所提出控制策略的有效性.     

一类参数不确定性混沌系统的T-S模糊控制

针对一类参数不确定性混沌系统,首次提出利用区间矩阵理论描述其不确定性,进而用T-S模糊模型对其进行精确描述的新方法.在此T-S模糊模型的基础上,给出一种基于并行分布补偿(PDC)技术的状态反馈控制器设计方法,并用Lyapunov稳定性理论证明了闭环系统的鲁棒稳定性.该方法充分考虑了模糊子系统之间的相互作用.状态反馈控制器增益矩阵可以通过求解一组线性矩阵不等式(LMIs)获得.仿真结果验证了所提方法的有效性.     

<Emphasis Type="Bold">An Engineering View for Social Systems: Agency as an Operational Principle for Designing Higher Education Access Policies</Emphasis>

Access to higher education (HE) has been a persistent concern for governments, practitioners and researchers. Access to HE has been widely studied from scientific perspectives that have focussed on the factors that contribute to the problem; however, authors have highlighted the need for systemic and design perspectives on education systems. The need to connect research with policy remains one of the most challenging issues for education researchers. In view of this gap, this paper argues that engineering thinking and methods represent an opportunity for the design of HE access policies because engineering rationality (distinct from scientific rationalities) matches the concerns and goals of any policymaking attempt. Engineers design artefacts to meet particular goals. These artefacts are artificial systems, tangible or intangible, such as hammers, bridges or whole organizations, which are designed in particular contexts to meet precise goals. Policies for access to HE are good examples of artefacts that seek to fulfil specific needs under concrete constraints inherent to a country or region. More specifically, HE systems are social systems; in other words, they are created and recreated by the interactions and decisions of diverse actors. Hence, to change, redesign or improve such types of systems involves engineering their very interactions that are the outcomes of institutional and human actions. In particular, engineering design requires operational principles. Thus, we propose agency as a fundamental design concept for the improvement of HE systems, which opens new possibilities for a distinct type of policy-making that takes excellent advantage of what engineering can offer, while at the same time expanding on traditional expectations for engineering.     

Corporate Social Responsibility as a Messy Problem: Linking Systems and Sensemaking Perspectives

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an essential topic with regard to the relationship between business and the wider society. It is a complex and controversial phenomenon that can best be addressed via systems theory and the sensemaking perspective. This paper proposes a way to link a dialectical systems perspective with communications that includes the sensemaking and dialogic collective approaches, which help to build systems of organised activities that aim to find solutions to complex problems from a holistic perspective. Companies are increasingly aware that if they wish to be successful actors in their business and societal relationships, the traditional sole focus on maximising profit is counterproductive, especially in terms of sustaining their value chains. A holistic approach to CSR and the value chain involves companies integrating their stakeholders along their value chains, especially at the downstream and upstream extremes (their customers and suppliers). This paper illustrates its theoretical perspectives with a case study of JYSK, a multinational company based in Denmark, which demonstrates how the company based its actual management of CSR on its willingness to learn from its own actions and from the actions of others.     

俄罗斯系统理论研究

俄罗斯国内的系统理论研究有着不可忽视的历史地位,是推动世界范围内系统理论发展的一股重要力量,然而却没有得到我国学术界足够的重视。本文通过对原始材料的梳理,分析得出俄罗斯系统理论研究的思想发端,发展潮流中主要代表人物及其思想,最新动向等等,以期能起到抛砖引玉的作用。     

Toward a Buddhist Systems Methodology 2: An Exploratory,Questioning Approach

This paper presents a Buddhist systems methodology (BSM) designed for problem prevention and problem solving in Taiwanese Buddhist organisations. Three sets of twelve questions based on Buddhist concepts are offered to (i) support explorations of boundaries and values in problematic situations; (ii) guide the choice of methods for intervention; and (iii) support the evaluation of recommendations for change. The paper argues that the BSM has advantages in Taiwanese contexts compared with Western systems approaches. The latter can appear threatening to organizational harmony and can therefore be regarded negatively. In contrast, the BSM uses Buddhist concepts that are closely associated with the practice of harmonious living. Thus, it reframes systems thinking as the exercise of Buddhist discipline applied to organizational life, and is likely to be viewed as a co-operative and culturally valued endeavour.

Toward Fostering Systems Learning in Organizational Contexts

This article explores the ways in which the process of systems learning can be nurtured in organizational contexts. I posit that in order to mobilize systems learning at the individual, group, and organizational levels, an integrated, holistic approach must be pursued. It is suggested that the challenge of not only teaching the systems thinking concepts but also using their actual applications in practice is more than just an issue of pedagogical improvement. The cultural and material issues integral to the use of systems thinking must be taken into consideration as well. I argue that our efforts to improve our pedagogical practices to foster systems learning in organizational contexts can benefit from the social constructivist perspective, which represents a system of ideas about learning. The qualities of systems pedagogy resided in social constructivism are proposed as a framework to think with in designing the meaningful systems learning activities. This article also discusses how to create the cultural and material environments in which the process of systems learning can be nurtured.     

线性离散时滞系统的鲁棒稳定性分析

依据稳定性理论和矩阵范数理论推导了线性离散时滞系统鲁棒稳定的充分条件,在此基础上得到了不确定时滞离散系统扰动矩阵的范数界,根据不确定离散系统的鲁棒D-稳定的定义,给出了确保不确定离散时滞系统所有极点均位于给定圆形区域系统扰动矩阵的范数界,这些条件形式简单,易于实现,是用于初步检验系统稳定性的有用工具.     

Fostering Design Culture Through Cultivating the User-Designers' Design Thinking and Systems Thinking

In this paper, the essence of design thinking and systems thinking is reviewed, analyzed, and synthesized. Although there are many valuable schools of systems thinking, I focus on both Banathy's and Senge's since there are design spirit embedded in their systems thinking. I attempt to grasp the spirit of Banathy's systems models and the essence of Senge's systems thinking, incorporating them into my design inquiry. I propose adopting an enlightened, transformative design approach in order to enhance the revolution of the public's inner and outer systems through collaborative design engagement. It is expected that by utilizing the transformative design approach, the public or user–designers could gain the necessary skills to envision their own learning, assume responsibility for designing their own learning environments, and systematically reflect upon their habitual thinking and actions. Ultimately, the user-designers would be able to transform their model-driven or theory-driven approaches to systems application into a cultural approach to the cultivation of systems thinking and design thinking. Indeed, design thinking, as well as contemporary systems thinking are two powerful wings to make us fly in the capacious learning world of the 21st century.     

Refocusing Systems Analysis of Organizations Through a Semiotic Lens: Interpretive Framework and Method

Recent advances in systems theory have significantly raised its utility for supporting problem-structuring activity in organizations. However, this approach has been inadequately developed for representing and evaluating the nature and outcomes of organizational functioning. Toward that end this paper introduces a new method, called interpretive systems analysis, which incorporates ideas from semiotic theory. Using this method, the complex web of agents, actions, means, and circumstances in organizational functioning may be analytically discriminated into multiple courses of action that are emphasized on dimensions of legitimacy, motivation, and power. An integrative appraisal of key elements and factors shaping organizational performance may then be achieved through the formulation of “systems of significance,” formed of oppositional and associative relations. Organizations can thus be illuminated in terms of principle inconsistencies and tensions shaping their operations. The application and utility of this method is illustrated through a case study of customer service operations.     

多输入多输出非线性系统的多面滑模控制

针对多输入多输出非线性系统 ,提出一种基于模糊小脑关联结构模型 (CMAC)神经网络的多面滑模变结构控制算法 ,特点是无需已知不确定性函数及其各阶导数的上界 ,证明了系统的状态及权值误差有界。与经典设计方法相比 ,所提出的方案允许非参数化不确定性。仿真实例显示了方法的有效性。     

非线性系统的模糊滑动模态控制

针对未建模的动态非线性系统,根据滑动模态控制原理,导出了基于Ｌｙａｐｕｎｏｖ稳定性的一种模糊控制器设计方法;避免了以往非线性滑模控制中控制信号的不连续造成系统“颤动”问题;显示出模糊推理的作用。     

Systems Thinking and Systems Practice: Working in the Fifth Dimension

This paper describes how a messy organizational problem was tackled using a systems approach which led to a resolution of the problem and to an improvement in the working relationships of the people involved. The example also shows how people who are not familiar with systems thinking, as such, can quickly be helped to develop a shared systemic view of a complex situation using activity modeling. At a deeper level, the paper also shows how the underlying dynamics of the problem situation was altered as a result of using a cooperative, dialogical working method, leading to an improvement in the quality of service provided by that part of the organization. The paper uses Peter Senge's five disciplines of a learning organization, together with various systems concepts, as a framework for describing how the process of change was brought about through the simultaneous management of task and social processes, leading to both individual and organizational learning.     

The Corporate Social Responsibility of Ukrainian Agroholdings: the Stakeholder Approach Revisited

The agricultural sector in Ukraine and other transitional and developing countries is distinguished by the prominence of agroholdings, i.e., large-scale industrialized corporations, that offer extensive support to their stakeholders through the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. The stakeholder approach as a part of business ethics scholarship explains stakeholder salience in terms of the turbulence of the business environment. Drawing on the Luhmannian theory of complex social systems, the present paper shows this turbulence to be a relative concept that makes sense primarily in relation to the limited ability of dominant formal institutions, such as the function systems, to process the complexity of the societal environment. In line with this argument, the Ukrainian agroholdings are shown to direct their CSR efforts to stakeholders whose salience arises out of the transition-specific institutional shortcomings, such as the imperfections of land and labor markets. Paradoxically, the Ukrainian institutional environment has been conducive not only to the rise of agroholdings but also to the emergence of societal expectations which the agroholdings must face. The broader business ethics implication of the argument is the functional equivalence of the discretionary CSR activities and the quality of the dominant formal institutions, such as the function systems.     

C~3I系统理论评述

本文综述了C~3I系统研究中的主要问题与现状,讨论了该系统的建模、效能分析以及影响理论研究的几个因素,并对未来C~3I系统理论的主要问题、难点以及解决手段等进行了探讨。