Action Research for Emancipation Informed by Habermas and Hierarchy of Systems: Case Study on Environmental Education and Management of Water Resources in Brazil

Technology is used in order to emancipate. Emancipation for social and environmental justice ought to shape the way technology is designed and used. The relationships across action research, action research spiral, and the General Systems Theory was investigated. The case study refers to environmental education activities as part of a participative management approach to water resources on the Hydrographic Basin of the Upper Maranhão River (Brazil). By introducing action research spiral as a search of rationality in social practices, and describing the nature of lower and higher hierarchical level in General Systems Theory, the higher hierarchical level was associated with Habermasian emancipatory interest, whereas lower hierarchic levels were associated with the specific instrumental concern. To conclude, it is said that the articulation between action research spiral and General System Theory can be the means to strengthen the dialectical potential of the action research spiral in order to achieve both individual and collective empowerment.     

Strategies for the Study of Complex Socio-Economic Systems: an Approach Using Agent-Based Simulation

The present paper proposes a research strategy that integrates top-down and bottom-up approaches, aimed at the study of complex socio-economic systems. Through a theoretical analysis, it is demonstrated throughout the text a strategy that allows the articulation between agent-based simulation approaches and methods of deductive and phenomenological basis capable of providing social sciences with unprecedented accuracy due to ethical and methodological limitations imposed by the study object until then. This is because this type of hybrid approach allows the construction of a deep systemic articulation between the micro and the macro, as advocated by the General Theory of Systems, at the same time as it is supported by systematic experiments that give new light to the study of the socio-economic complexity.     

Systemic Evaluation Methodology: The Emergence of Social Learning From Environmental ICT Prototypes

This paper investigates why and how systems approaches can help in evaluating the design of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as social learning platforms. It focuses on the prototypes created by the research project Virtualis, whose objective is to promote social learning on environmental concepts and practices amongst a variety of stakeholders. The paper presents the principles of systems thinking and practice that did help in formulating such evaluation processes. It illustrates how both a peer systemic evaluation process (within the research team) and a participatory evaluation process (involving potential future users of the ICTs) were carried out.     

Soft System Dynamics Methodology (SSDM): Combining Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) and System Dynamics (SD)

Soft System Dynamics Methodology (SSDM), a systemic methodology product of the combination of two widely used systems-based methodologies from two different systems thinking paradigms, Systems Dynamics (SD) and Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), is presented. The paper argues that by combining some of SD and SSM stages, within the intellectual framework proposed by SSDM, a methodology developed by one of the authors¹ much can be gained in a systemic intervention to tackle complex social problematic situations. A framework for comparing the ontological, epistemological and methodological principles of SD, SSM and SSDM is proposed and the synthesizing and dialectical role of SSDM is advanced. The 10 stages of SSDM are outlined and illustrated by an application on a small Peruvian company; and a set of conclusions and points for further research are discussed.     

Feminist Systems Theory: Learning by Praxis

Feminist Systems Theory (FST) is an emerging theory grounded in cultural ecofeminism and critical systems theory. FST’s contribution is in a set of principles that contain implications for community development and social research. FST brings to the fore the importance of valuing and considering the voices of people at the margins of social research and community development projects and is an effort towards a new ontology and language of person and nature to adequately address environmental marginalization. The ‘systems’ theory contribution to FST enriches our repertoires of methods and tools with an emphasis on systems thinking characterised by the use of boundary analysis. FST is ideally situated to enhance systemic intervention practice, an application of action research and participatory research practices. This paper will examine ‘process philosophy’ necessary to understand the nature of boundary analysis and the implications for FST and praxis with relevant examples drawn from case studies of current applications of FST in action research settings; (1) economic analysis and transition pathways; (2) policy analysis of the Close the Gap strategy for Indigenous equality and equity in Australia; (3) a community food distribution system; and, (4) a community health and diabetes prevention program.     

The Systems Approach to the Pluralist Theory of International Relations: A Case Study of the European Union

This article aims at introducing concepts related to the systems approach applied to the international system. First, the authors describe the systems view considering General Systems Theory in order to conceptualize the international systems as well as the Pluralist Theory of International Relations. Based on General Systems Theory, the authors analyze the international systems from the perspective of the Pluralist Theory of International Relations, using a case study on the European Union. The pluralist image of international systems presents important similarities to Systems Theory, as it analyzes the international context, characterized by variety, complexity and dynamics and uses the concepts of object, attribute, inputs and outputs, environment, motivations and process, which enable a better understanding of the international system.

智能化时代国防科技体系工程初探

随着智能化时代的到来,国防科技的研究与发展面临新的机遇与挑战。本文从体系视角出发,对智能化时代国防科技体系工程开展了初步的探索。首先,介绍了智能化时代国防科技体系工程的相关概念,辨析了其内涵,明确了其研究范畴,构建了国防科技体系工程的研究框架。其次,系统总结了国防科技体系工程研究重点关注的3个科学问题,分别是建模问题、评估问题及预测问题,并对解决这3大类问题的相关理论方法和技术手段进行了梳理介绍。最后,对国防科技大学复杂系统与体系工程团队自主研发的国防科技体系工程软件支撑工具集进行了简要介绍。通过研究与实践,为国防科技的发展战略制定、规划计划、项目管理等实际工作提供了理论、方法和技术支撑,促进了科技创新能力提升和战斗力生成。     

Afterword: Toward an Emery Model of Management: Implications and Prospects of Emery Open Systems Theory

The afterword considers some possible implications of the ideas raised in the four papers in this special issue. Implications for three questions of current debate in systemic thinking are discussed—system ontology, the system-environment relation and the meaning of adaptation, and the role of action research within social science practice. The concept of an Emery model of management as suggested by Fred Emery in the 1960s is revisited and its contemporary relevance discussed in the light of these new contributions and the current state of management, and the possible basis of Emery Open Systems Theory in C.S. Pierce's philosophy of pragmaticism is canvassed. Finally, some questions are posed concerning the future of OST.     

Systemic Design for Applying the Combined Use of SSM and CDA to Social Practices

In this paper, we propose a framework for applying the combined use of soft systems methodology (SSM) and critical discourse analysis (CDA) based on social semiotic systemic functional linguistics to social practices. In the social practice, ‘participation’ mode of Checkland’s SSM is used for ‘problem-solving’ whilst CDA is used to problematize ‘problem-solving’ processes within the practice. During the meta-process of problematization of our research, we used Churchman’s systems approach and its theory of ‘boundary critique’ in order to explore issues such as governance, inequality of power, and social values within the organization examined for this study. In other words, the process-oriented methodology proposed in this paper consists of two processes: that of ‘problem-solving’ based on SSM and of problematization of naturalized discourse from the perspective of CDA and two phases of boundary critique in social practice. A detailed account of a case study of Korean social enterprise is given to demonstrate how our proposed framework of the combined use of SSM and CDA is applied into practice. Reflecting the outcome of the case study, this paper argues that critical social research from systemic inquiry using what we call ‘process-oriented methodology’ is useful to address some of the social and complex issues related to understanding dynamic relation between power and discourse amongst participants in the social enterprise in Korean contexts.     

智慧制造系统的基础理论与技术体系

智慧制造作为一种新兴制造模式,其研究和实践需要理论与技术体系的支持.从系统科学的角度出发,探讨了智慧制造系统组成、子系统的相互作用以及其特征等基础理论问题,并提出了由总体与基础技术、面向人际网的社会化制造技术、面向知识网的智能化制造技术、面向务联网的服务化制造技术以及面向物联网的制造物联技术组成的智慧制造系统技术体系.     

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.     

Design for availability: A holistic approach to create value for manufacturers and customers of capital goods

This research introduces a holistic framework called Design for Availability that uses the principles of Lean Sigma and Design for X to cost-effectively optimize the availability of capital goods(i.e., technical systems used in the production of end-products or -services such as medical systems, airplanes,and manufacturing equipment) throughout their entire lifetime.Manufacturers require such a framework because users of capital goods increasingly insist on high system availability levels against reduced lifetime costs.The Design for Availability framework allows manufacturers to determine the current status of system availability and associated lifetime costs,and to identify opportunities to create additional value for themselves and their customers.A case study at a global manufacturer of capital goods in the food processing industry illustrates how the framework can be used in practice and to what extent the manufacturer and customers may profit from applying Design for Availability.     

自治主体建模在海军战术仿真中的应用

多主体系统是分布人工智能和分布计算的交叉研究领域,也是普遍公认的研究和解决复杂自适应系统问题的一种有效途径,而武器装备体系对抗就是一类典型的复杂自适应系统问题.从分析实体模型层次和类型入手,利用作战主体刻画具有复杂作战行为的实体,提出一个作战主体模型框架,阐述作战单元、作战平台和装备的(装配或指挥控制)关联关系.     

A Design View on Research in Social Sciences

Research in social sciences has not had the same impact as research in natural sciences and several authors are critical of social science research methods. In order to elucidate this problem, the author analyzes the purpose of research in general and in social sciences in particular. The author makes reference to various research methods that are suggested and used in social sciences. Social science research differs from research in natural sciences. It differs not only in being dependent on actions of human individuals but also because systems in social sciences are a complex mixture of Hard and Soft systems. The paper argues that research in Human Activity Systems should focus on design. This view changes the research perspective and the demands on the research methods to be used. The author suggests a method based on focusing decision settings combined with Action Research.     

A Systemic Framework to Develop Sustainable Engineering Solutions in Rural Communities in Colombia

In several rural areas in Colombia there is a serious lack of water quality supply. Thereby the problematic situation is understood as complex one that involves stakeholders with pluralistic interests, multiple variables and requires the development of sustainable and suitable solutions. In order to address this issue, this paper proposes an integration of engineering design framework (CDIO) with a systemic approach. Particularly the approach emphasizes on systemic elements such as autonomy, systems within systems, cooperation between stakeholders and cause effect relations; it also proposes a previous observing phase for engineering design framework. Thus the proposed systemic framework aims to generate projects that improve living conditions in rural communities and promote the production of knowledge between the stakeholders to ensure sustainability in the long term. To illustrate the proposal, this work contains a case study that discusses a project carried out by a research team—Ingenieros Sin Fronteras Colombia—in a rural district near to Colombia’s capital. The experience, which involved and benefited 16 families in the community, provided strong evidence to support the proposed framework. The paper concludes with a discussion about the replication of this proposal in other contexts.     

Expert discovery and knowledge mining in complex multi-agent systems

Complex problem solving requires diverse expertise and multiple techniques. In order to solve such problems, complex multi-agent systems that include both of human experts and autonomous agents are required in many application domains. Most complex multi-agent systems work in open domains and include various heterogeneous agents. Due to the heterogeneity of agents and dynamic features of working environments, expertise and capabilities of agents might not be well estimated and presented in these systems. Therefore, how to discover useful knowledge from human and autonomous experts, make more accurate estimation for experts＇ capabilities and find out suitable expert（s） to solve incoming problems （＂Expert Mining＂） are important research issues in the area of multi-agent system. In this paper, we introduce an ontology-based approach for knowledge and expert mining in hybrid multi-agent systems. In this research, ontologies are hired to describe knowledge of the system. Knowledge and expert mining processes are executed as the system handles incoming problems. In this approach, we embed more self-learning and self-adjusting abilities in multi-agent systems, so as to help in discovering knowledge of heterogeneous experts of multi-agent systems.     

Formation Principles of Similar Systems

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“EII META—MODEL” ON INTEGRATION FRAMEWORK FOR VIABLE ENTERPRISE SYSTEMS——CITY PLANNING METAPHOR BASED ON STRUCTURAL SIMILARITY

Enterprise systems must have the structure to adapt the change of business environment.When rebuilding enterprise system to meet the extended operational boundaries,the concept of IT city planning is applicable and effective.The aim of this paper is to describe the architectural approach from the integrated imformation infrastructure(In3) standpoint and to propose for applying the “City Planning” concept for rebuilding “inter-application spaghetti” enterprise systems.This is mainly because the portion of infrastructure has increased with the change of information systems from centralized systems to distributed and open systems.As enterprise systems have involved heterogeneity or architectural black box in them,it may be required the integration framework (meta-architecture)as a discipline based on heterogeneity that can provide comprehensive view of the enterprise systems.This paper proposes “EII Meta-model” as the integration framework that can optimize the overall enterprise systems from the IT city planning point of view.EII Meta-model consists of “Integrated Information Infrastructure Map(In3-Map)”,“Service·Framework” and “IT Scenario”.It would be applicable and effective for the viable enterprise,because it has the mechanism to adapt the change.Finally,we illustrate a case of information system in an online securities company and demonstrate spplicability and effectiveness of EII Meta-model to meet their business goals.     

增强系统辩证论的认同感

系统辩证论的提出和阐述，引起了人们的关注、兴趣和重视。它与唯物辩证论在本质上是一致的，既坚持了唯物主义，又是立意更高的唯物辩证论的另一种表达形式；它有马克思主义哲学和系统科学两个理论来源，出自实践并接受实践的检验，是哲学“走出书斋”的重大理论成果，用它来认识事物已越来越成为一种趋势；它不是对唯物辩证论的否定，而是对马克思主义哲学的丰富和发展，是对系统科学的超越，是哲学领域思想解放的生动体现。     

Participatory Design and Technologies for Sustainable Development: an Approach from Action Research

This paper explores the relevance of the action research for design of technological solutions that lead to both systemic sustainable development and active involvement of the community. The paper shows how this idea was implemented in a project for water resource conservation with educational institutions of rural areas in Colombia. Through the use of technology, a reduction in water consumption increases in awareness about the use of this natural resource, and the active involvement of the community were sought. Additionally, social processes related to the conservation of natural resources were addressed through a socio-technical approach for analysis and design. During the application of the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), the participants and researchers created technological prototypes that allowed to: 1) give visibility to the community’s initiatives, and 2) save water in the households. This paper focuses on the importance of the design process of innovative solutions for social and environmental issues through the participative approach of action research.