Action Research and the Management and Systems Sciences

In this paper I explore the possibility of a complementary relationship between action research and the management and systems sciences. A range of purposes that action researchers and management and systems scientists pursue is initially set out. The paper then explores whether this diversity of purposes and the ways they recommend people to proceed may come together in a new whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. A potentially useful realization of this for practice is a reflexive process of critique, choice, and action, which is elaborated on. The paper then investigates what view of holism arises from the preceeding discussions.     

Information systems with partially unknown purposes

In “traditional” information systems design theory it is usually assumed that the information system to be designed has, at least in principle, a well-defined purpose, that is, a purpose from which it is possible to derive, among other things, the information needs to be satisfied by the information system. However, there is a category of information systems of growing practical significance, where the purposes are partially unknown. Some examples of types of information systems which typically belong to this category are decision support systems, executive information systems, statistical information systems, scientific information systems, and metainformation systems. When an information system belonging to this category is going to be designed, it is usually impossible to specify its usage with great precision. The business decisions, research problems, or whatever kind of activity it is that the information system is going to support may not yet even have been thought of; they may lie a long time ahead, and by then many things may have changed within the area of interest and its environment, as well as in the focus of interest of the information system users. This paper discusses some of the methodological challenges posed by information systems with partially unknown purposes.     

Systems practice in several communities in Philadelphia

Several volunteer community groups in inner-city Philadelphia have been working to improve their blighted neighborhoods. This article describes how they applied Ackoff's interactive planning and Forrester's system dynamics and then details two programs that were implemented as a result. Examples of government efforts and “community development” funding structures are included for contrast. Local and federal government efforts tend to address the symptoms, but not the producers of problems, and are short-sighted because they tend to ignore the context that creates the problem situation. The structures for allocating resources appear to serve the purposes of decision makers who allocate funds, at the expense of the communities that desperately need services. A major point of this article is that such systems approaches as interactive management and system dynamics offer hope for solving seemingly intractable problems that threaten many communities and societies today.     

Constructive Scaffolding or a Procrustean Bed? Exploring the Influence of a Facilitated,Structured Group Process in a Climate Action Group

In this paper we present a case of a structured, facilitated group process with a climate action group engaged in a local Transition initiative. We explore how the interacting contexts between action researchers and the group acted as a constraint for the trajectory of the group process, by looking at the mismatches between the group’s and the researchers’ purposes and differences in expectations about methods of engagement. A methodological framework was used for evaluating the outcomes. The primary aim of this article was to investigate and point out dynamics that may be a hindrance to the effectiveness of a facilitated local climate initiative, with the view to inform facilitation practices and improve future action research processes.     

Designing a Management System for a Rural Community Development Organization Using a Systemic Action Research Process

This paper describes the first phase, 'finding out', of a systemic participatory action research intervention in the management systems of a rural community development organization in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The aims of the intervention were to (a) improve the management system of this organization, and (b) evaluate the usefulness of particular systems methodologies for the improvement of management systems of organizations involved in community development in under-resourced rural contexts. The second phase, "implementation," needs to be completed and thoroughly evaluated before any final conclusions can be drawn about the suitability of the chosen systems framework for Third World type rural contexts. However, the second phase is, at the time of writing, underway and all indications are that an interpretive ('Soft') Systems Methodology, combined with insights from a more functionalist ('hard') approach (with methods chosen through a Critical Systems Thinking framework) holds much promise for participatory systemic interventions in these contexts.     

An Holistic Approach to the Management of Information Systems Development—A View Using a Soft Systems Approach and Multiple Viewpoints

This paper argues that only a systems-based approach to information systems development is likely to cover all the recognized problem issues reported in the literature. It is then shown that software development can be characterized by the structure of the Soft Systems Methodology, so that this methodology acts as a metaphor for the process of information systems development. The structure of this methodology can be seen at lower levels of the development process, and so the model generated here is seen as recursive. Further, information systems development is seen as an unstructured business problem that can be characterized by the Multiple Viewpoint approach. The connections between this approach and the methodology are identified. Finally, the unifying link between these approaches and all forms of action research is identified.     

Application of Hierarchical Optimal Control Theory to Coordinative Management for Water Resources Utilization and Regional Economic Development

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管理信息大系统分析与设计的一个新方法

本文将ＣｈｅｃｋｌａｎｄＰ．Ｂ．的软系统方法论与ＨａｌＡ．Ｄ．的硬系统方法论有机结合起来，提出一种管理信息大系统的“软系统分析／硬系统设计”方法，同时通过一个地方政府宏观经济管理信息系统的实践说明方法的应用．     

Problem contexts—A consultant's perspective

This paper is an attempt at building on the idea of a “system of systems methodologies” to introduce a dynamic element in its use and thereby increase its effectiveness. The author, a practicing management consultant, has perceived the advantages of classifying various systems methodologies on the basis of problem contexts. Additional benefit, assesses the author, will be obtained by recognizing the dynamic nature of these contexts. Some insights have been developed on this theme. Areas needing further theoretical enhancement and action research are also identified.     

The Holistic Sense of Prison Phenomena in Venezuela. III. The Unity of the Research

In this paper the underlying systemic unity of the research reported in the two previous articles is sought. The research journey is examined in order to draw lessons concerning our systemic practice. In addition, an effort is made to relate Interpretive Systemology to some strands of systems, management and action research sciences. In so doing, we expect to draw some links that could be established between interpretive systemologists and the community of researchers who compose the select audience of SPAR.     

HLA联邦运行管理的分析与设计

联邦运行管理是实现HLA仿真系统的一项重要任务 ,它完成联邦执行的创建 /删除、动态控制、修改和状态保存、重演等功能。其中 ,创建MOM是实现上述功能的关键。首先介绍了MOM和联邦管理的内容 ,然后给出了FRMC的设计和实现方案 ,最后简要叙述了我们未来的工作方向。     

当前我国管理科学与社会经济系统工程领域的热点和焦点

近几年我国经济／管理科学界正以承先启后、推陈出新的时代特征向经济／管理系统工程的特定领域发展。了解我国当前在发展经济／管理科学与工程中的若干热点有助于进一步开拓社会经济／管理系统工程的广阔空间。如果能在此基础上探讨我国当前在社会经济和管理中一些值得系统科学工作者为之苦心孤诣出谋划策的焦点，也许更能体现联系实际。本文拟对此综合地、提纲挈领地加以讨论。     

Action Research: Its History and Relationship to Scientific Methodology

Scientific Methodology (SM) has long suited those who favour analytical and quantitative research in management. Thus the dilemma between the rigour and relevance of contemporary management research methods is fuelled by action researchers who keep wanting to contrast Action Research (AR) with SM. This paper presents a Western philosophical view on the development of belief systems and theory-based methods over time. It thus links the progressive and cumulative development of SM with the contemporary AR methodology. In doing this it presents a different point of view—that the traditions of SM and AR have much closer relationships than people often give them credit for.     

Science as Systemic Intervention: Some Implications of Systems Thinking and Complexity for the Philosophy of Science

This paper sidesteps the usual starting points for debate about complexity and the philosophy of science, which tend to assume that science is primarily about observation. Instead, the starting point is intervention, defined as purposeful action by an agent to create change. While some authors suggest that intervention and observation are opposites, it is argued here that observation (as undertaken in science) should be viewed as just one type of intervention. We should therefore welcome scientific techniques of observation into a pluralistic set of intervention methods, alongside methods for exploring values, reflecting on subjective understandings, planning future activities, etc. However, there is a need to explicitly counter a possible pernicious interpretation of this argument: intervention could (erroneously) be viewed as flawlessly preplanned change based on accurate predictions of the consequences of action. This is the mechanistic worldview that systems thinking and complexity science seek to challenge. Therefore, having redefined scientific observation as intervention, the paper revisits insights from systems thinking and complexity to propose a methodology of systemic intervention. Some brief reflections are then provided on the wider social implications of this methodology.     

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.     

The institution as an “Ideological system”: How morals maketh organization

A dominant current view of institutions sees them as task-performing entities and hence views improvements and change as functional in nature. Systems views of managing change in institutions are particularly guilty of adopting this view. Recommendations for change take the form of improving the task and organization structures to make the functions more efficient and effective in performance. This paper argues that such a functionalist view of an institution is limited and can be dangerous when considering recommendations for change. A different view of an institution is proposed. This view is interpretivist and uses the notion of organizational culture to show how institutions may be usefully viewed through the notion of “ideological system.” The theoretical framework for this notion is that of institutional members sharing and developing a common interpretive schema and exploiting this in their making of judgments about appropriate and inappropriate actions and change. This framework is then developed into the view that ideologies express the morals of institutional life and that so-called functional activities can be seen as essentially moral in action and intention. It is the symbolic nature of such moralities that allows the institutional life to be understood by its members and decisions to be made about what is appropriate and inappropriate behavior. The argument is made that this view of organizations is fundamentally important in analysis so that prioritization decisions can be understood and appropriate recommendations for change can be made. This paper shows how systems approaches can be used from this framework but that a different notion of institution, and hence change, needs to be adopted. An interpretative approach to organizational analysis is then developed and presented. Reference is made to various cases to illustrate the argument.     

Plurality revisited: Diversity management and triple loop learning

This paper suggests one way of managing plurality of theories and methodologies and ways of operationalising them. It suggests that the management of options needs to be linked to a process of reflexive consciousness. Reflexive consciousness operates by recognising that choices of theoretical and methodological commitment have to be made for the purposes of action. Awareness of the provisional and partial nature of choices is key to the management of options. Choice-making is marked by an awareness of the way in which the facility for judgement has been exercised. This includes considering how judgements may be accounted for in the light of alternative choices. Informed awareness means taking into accounttheoretical debates that may be brought to bear in facilitating an appreciation of methodologies and possible operationalisations of them. It also means taking into account matters ofcontemporary concern (specialist or popular) raised in the process of social debate. Our argument is detailed through an explication of what we call diversity management and triple loop learning.     

一类具输入时滞的分布参数系统移动控制

基于移动传感器/执行器网络,研究了一类具有输入时滞的分布参数系统稳定性控制问题。利用抽象发展方程理论、算子半群理论和Lyapunov稳定性定理,设计系统的反馈控制器;再结合移动传感器/执行器的动力学行为,设计其控制力。证明了在反馈控制器和控制力的作用下,分布参数系统在具输入时滞情况下是渐近稳定的。通过数值仿真实验表明,不同的输入时滞,对系统的稳定效果有一定的影响,但在控制力的作用下,系统都能趋于稳态,说明本文中对于具有输入时滞的分布参数系统的控制策略是有效的。     

多传感器系统量化管理研究

对多传感器系统的量化管理进行了初步探讨,给出了一种多传感器系统的量化管理框架,建立了多传感器对目标的配对函数和效能函数,提出了按综合"效能值”最大准则进行传感器分配的方法,并通过对4个传感器探测系统探测10个目标的情况进行了计算机仿真,验证了该方法的有效性.