A Systemic Exploration of the Risk Factors in Zimbabwean Information Technology Projects

This paper explores the risk factors threatening Zimbabwean Information Technology (IT) projects and build a systemic model demonstrating how the identified risk factors are interconnected. Drawn on systemic thinking, a soft systems approach called Interactive Management (IM) was adopted to identify the risk factors. The Interactive Management session involved the relevant stakeholders to interactively produce the systemic model through four major phases: idea generation, idea clarification, idea structuring, and interpretation of the structured ideas. The output of the Interactive Management process is a digraph showing the causal relationships between the identified risks. Six risk drivers were identified through the Interactive Management process: limited computer literacy, poor communication, lack of executive support, complexity of design, bureaucracy, and employee turnover. The constructed model demonstrates how the identified risk factors are interconnected. It also shows that non-linear relationships exist between risk factors. The output from this exploration has the potential to be used as a starting point to mitigate the risks impacting on Zimbabwean IT projects. Different from the output of frequently used approaches, the risk drivers identified in the systemic model inform decision makers to exploit the effective strategies in preventing other risks from materializing.

     

A Systemic Inquiry into the AIDS Epidemic in the Western Cape of South Africa through Interactive Management

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Approximately 6.2 million South Africans are living with HIV/AIDS. The AIDS epidemic has impacted on its economy and plagued its vibrancy. The government of South Africa has invested significant resources to fight AIDS. However, the number of AIDS-related deaths in South Africa is the second highest in the world. Different from the common approaches used to study the AIDS problem, this paper demonstrates how Interactive Management (IM), a methodology echoing systemic thinking, can be employed to identify the drivers leading to the AIDS epidemic in the Western Cape of South Africa. The preliminary exploration is not aimed at discovering a theory, but enhancing learning and consensus among stakeholders. Through a full-day IM session, the study identified two major drivers leading to the AIDS epidemic: poverty and lack of knowledge of HIV/AIDS. The identified drivers can serve as a starting point to revisit the current governmental strategies in fighting AIDS.     

Action Research in Management—Ethical Dilemmas

This paper discusses the application of the guiding ethical principles for the conduct of research involving human subjects in an action research project in a membership-based community psychiatric disability organization. Action research is a collaborative process of critical inquiry between the researcher and the people in the situation, in this case the management executive. The relationship between the researcher and manager participants in a long-term action research project gives rise to ethical dilemmas related to participant selection and voluntary participation, informed consent, decision making, anonymity and confidentiality, conflicting and different needs. The process and strategies implemented to address them are discussed.     

分布式交互仿真应用系统输入输出模型的研究与实现

由于分布式交互仿真中输入输出设备的多样性与复杂性，给软件的设计与开发带来诸多困难。在研究分析已有原语系统的基础上，通过定义逻辑设备坐标系及其中的归一化函数强化了设备无关性，提出了一个分布式交互仿真应用系统输入输出层次模型，并基于COM技术对该模型进行了具体实现。应用效果表明，该模型体现了设备无关的要求，并具备良好的可扩展性，能满足具体的分布式交互仿真应用系统的要求。     

交互式飞行视景仿真系统的设计与实现

基于六自由度运动模型,提出了Vega环境中飞行运动的数学表示及其C 语言描述方法,构建了通用的基于C /Vega的交互式飞行视景仿真系统的驱动程序流程和模块化功能结构,并基于MFC构架利用Vega的实时仿真驱动开发了交互式的实时飞行视景仿真系统。该系统可与控制主机、光电跟踪设备一起形成控制闭环,模拟飞机对运动目标的跟踪过程,并将相应的飞行参数以仪表的显示方式输出,辅助用户测试和评估光电跟踪设备的性能。     

A Process Model of Collaborative Management Research: The Study of Collective Creativity in the Luxury Industry

This article explores collaborative management research (CMR). As one of the streams within the action research family, CMR is one approach that has been identified as a potent method for advancing scientific knowledge and bringing about change in organizations. The article proposes a hybrid model of the CMR research process in organizations. Following a brief introduction of collaborative management research, we advance an emerging, inductively derived, hybrid process model of CMR. Three critical clusters for achieving the intended outcomes of collaborative management research include: (1) contextual factors, (2) quality of the collaboration, and (3) the development of the collaborative research process itself. Within each cluster, concepts, variables, and processes were identified and linked together to form a hybrid model of CMR process. An illustration of a collaborative management research project that focused on the study of collective creativity with an Italian fashion and design company is followed by a reflective analysis. The discussion provides directions for future research and implications for practice.     

On creating opportunity out of conflict: Two case studies

This paper discusses Interactive Planning and Management (Ackoff, 1981) and its value for managing creatively and effectively in conflict situations. The author compares and contrasts the approach with alternative dispute resolution (ADR) including mediation-, negotiation-, and litigation-based processes and argues that the current methods developed in the ADR field are inadequate in their design to accommodate four considerations: (1) the interrelationships of problems facing organizations in conflict, (2) the accelerating rate of change in society, (3) the purposefulness of the parts of social systems as well as of the systems themselves, and (4) the effects of organizations' actions on their environment. The paper presents two cases in which Interactive Planning and Management was used to transform organizational decision making and structure.     

Enriching Service Learning by its Diversity: Combining University Service Learning and Corporate Social Responsibility to Help the NGOs Adapt Technology to Their Needs

Community-based service learning helps students link subject matter to everyday life and developing sense of responsibility to their community. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. Both promote civic engagement but the two hardly come across each other. We explore the process that enriched service learning with its diversity by combining CSR practices of a multinational software company. It begins by exploring different forms of action research with a focus on action engagement to improve students’ involvement in marginalized communities. The article provides field-based reflections of the sustained engagement and suggests ways in which service learning experiences may create rooms for innovation and growth in the non-profit sector, local communities, businesses, and students themselves.     

Systems Pluralism in Infrastructure Decision-Making for Socially Connected Greenfield Communities

The problem in planning for relevant infrastructure in new communities is that the community doesn’t yet exist and is not engaged in the planning process. As such, planners draw on available housing and demographic information and essentially ‘best guess’ the future community’s infrastructure and social connection needs. This situation spotlights a gap in the planning literature concerning ways to ‘better determine’ a future community’s infrastructures that enable social connection between residents. In seeking to help address that knowledge gap, the purpose of this paper is to theoretically argue for the process of and illustrate the value of, pursuing a hybrid systems thinking approach to the identification and deployment of the physical infrastructures that may help better facilitate the social connectedness of a future community in new greenfield development areas. This approach combines aspects of Soft systems methodology and system dynamics. Such a process informs the development of a decision support model for Planners’ that incorporates multiple user perspectives in these local planning decisions and contributes to the structural advancement of socially connected communities.     

基于FTCPN的工作流模型简化规则与线性推理研究

分布式协同工作流系统的建模和时间性能计算是工作流的一个重要研究内容.针对传统的Petri网不能对工作流系统的不同事件和事件的时间性能进行分析和优化的问题,给出了模糊时间着色Petri网(Fuzzy-timing colored Petri Net, FTCPN)的形式化定义,并给出了基于FTCPN的工作流网四种基本组件模型的简化规则及其线性推理.最后,以汽车车身的协同概念设计流程为例,对提出的方法进行了应用和验证.研究表明:模糊时间着色Petri网能全面描述复杂工作流系统的不确定性时间信息和不同事例的工作状态,对丰富分布式工作流系统的建模理论具有一定的参考价值.     

Future search: Finding common ground in organizations and communities

This paper describes the goals and methods of the future search conference, a large group planning meeting for people seeking common ground for action in organizations and communities. Underlying assumptions and an overview of the approach are provided. Next case studies describing outcomes of future searches in various organizations and communities are discussed. Limitations of the approach are outlined as well. Distinctions between future search and traditional organization development strategies are discussed next. The authors conclude by describing the paper as a progress report on an approach with much promise.     

Enhancing Collaborative Learning in a Blended Learning Environment: Applying a Process Planning Model

The research reported here was undertaken in a blended learning environment where contact tuition is “blended” with computer-supported (online) learning. The context is a developing country (South Africa). After completion of two full cycles of an action inquiry the planning for the third cycle was undertaken according to an existing process planning model which was originally developed for the design and planning of team-based action learning and action research (ALAR) projects. The illustration of the application of the model focuses on the aspect of student collaboration in a blended learning environment and shows how the original process planning model was adapted and applied during the re-planning phase of the project. The final deliverable is a set of action plans for future collaborative learning that could strengthen student-centred learning experiences in a context which still bears the scars of an unfortunate segregated past.     

Meta-Action Research on a Leadership Development Program: A Process Model for Life-long Learning

Our purpose in this paper is to contribute to the field of systemic practice by sharing a process of professional learning based on meta-action research. The process emerged as we engaged with evaluation data from a leadership development program (LDP). The aim of this LDP had been to help leaders design their team projects on poverty reduction through action research methods in six African countries. As facilitators of the program we discuss our experiential learning based on critical reflection. We explain how meta-action research can transform understandings of ways to improve professional practice in future applications. We present three process models: (1) a model of reflection on action, (2) a meta-action research model, and (3) a model for lifelong learning through meta-action research. These models may be of benefit and interest to readers who facilitate systemic practice and action research in education, higher education, communities, industry and government.     

Awareness of Residents Regarding the Construction of a Sustainable Urban Community: A Case Study of Action Research in Taiwan

Chung-Sheng Community in Taoyuan City, Taiwan is a typical urban community. By adopting participatory action research, this study examines resident awareness regarding the feasibility of transforming Chung-Sheng Community into a sustainable community. Action research can help avoid constant “trial and error” in constructing sustainable communities and enhance process efficiency. Meanwhile, an active research approach can help communities better achieve sustainable development. Constructing a sustainable urban community requires energy, effective frameworks, and professional assistance. Achieving these requires a continuous and participatory action research process, and careful exploration of the awareness of community residents, which is the focus of this investigation.     

基于消费者信任关系的在线口碑信息传播模型

在社会化媒体环境下，研究信任关系对在线口碑传播过程的影响，有助于企业制定合理的营销策略控制口碑传播。以社会关系强度刻画消费者之间的信任度，考虑社会强化现象及消费者兴趣转移现象；以SIR传染病模型为基础，构建基于信任关系的连续时间马尔科夫在线口碑传播模型。通过数值实验，分析了不同网络结构下信任关系对在线口碑传播的影响。实验结果显示：信任度的提升可显著促进在线口碑传播，当社区存在交叠时，社区信任度的促进作用增强，而社会信任度作用则减弱；另外，相比于社区内部信任，提升陌生人之间的信任促进作用更强，尤其是当网络社区结构一般或较弱时，且此时高影响力用户可在控制口碑传播过程中发挥更大作用。     

敏捷决策体系——基于Internet和虚拟组织的网络化决策支持体系

在高速动态变化的企业生存环境条件下 ,为了实现快速而准确的决策 ,提出了一种基于 Internet和虚拟组织的网络化决策支持模式——敏捷决策体系 ,即针对某一个复杂的决策问题 ,利用信息高速公路 ,将分散在各地的智力资源和信息资源通过虚拟组织的组织形态与运行机制加以动态集成 ,并通过一定的控制规则来实现该决策系统的动态组合以及对决策结果的评价与合成 ,最终快速而有效地完成决策目标 .提出了敏捷决策的过程模型、体系结构和功能框架 ,给出了一种基于协同建模的系统软件构架和通讯流程 ,提出了实现敏捷决策体系的关键问题和支撑技术 .     

分布仿真实验管理系统中运行控制工具的设计

传统上,组织一次HLA仿真系统的运行是一件十分耗费精力的事情,其执行过程中存在诸多的由主观因素带来的不合理性,而且这种精力耗费和不合理性出现机率随系统的复杂程度的增加而急剧增长。分布仿真实验管理(Distributed Simulation Experiment Management,DSEM)系统的推出,不仅实现了对仿真实验的合理规划,同时也实现了对仿真系统中程序,联邦,成员和数据的运行全过程有效管理控制。实验运行控制工具是该系统的一个重要组成部分,在仿真运行过程中完成对程序,联邦,成员和数据的运行全过程有效管理控制。     

电动汽车感应电机的时变模型与计算机仿真

电动汽车感应电机运行工况复杂多变，电机模型和参数的精度对整车控制性能影响较大。在对电机参数时变性分析研究的基础上，建立了考虑电机参数时变性的感应电动机动态模型，研究了电机参数的估计方法，给出了电机参数与运行条件之间的匹配关系。利用MATLAB／SIMULINK软件构造了电动汽车感应电机的动态仿真模型，以电动轿车电机为例，给出了仿真结果，验证了所建模型的有效性。     

WfMS系统建模和内部协调

通过对工作流和工作流管理系统相关定义和功能的分析,建立了基于关系和模型分解的工作流和工作流管理系统的数学模型。根据建立的参考模型、针对工作流管理系统的协调重点,从任务序列的执行和模型对象的扩展两个方面,对工作流管理系统提出两种协调模式,并对协调方式的机理和内容进行了研究,为了满足系统扩展的需要,本文还对工作流管理系统的开放性进行了探讨。     

Facilitation as Midwifery: Facilitation and Praxis in Group Learning

This paper is an inquiry into practice for the purpose of reflection and theory proposal. We discuss the way in which we, as facilitators of action research/learning groups in diverse contexts, confront the challenge of assisting people to work and learn together in authentically collaborative ways. We each describe our very different respective practice examples (Eileen's based on productive and defensive routines; Judith's on sociodramatic exploration) and then collectively discern some substantial similarities in the way that we work. We have likened these similarities to the midwifery process, i.e., "colaboring" or facilitating the birth of whole and healthy group process in which honest and bilateral interactions of action and reflection occur. Finally, we present a meta-reflective account of the way that we have confronted the challenges of working together to write this article. We present this account as a model of a series of five deepening levels of challenge in collaborative learning. These levels reflect the challenge associated with a growth in awareness of both our own process of working together, and that of every other group with which we work.