Appreciating Systems: Critical Reflections on the Changing Nature of Systems as a Discipline in a Systems-Learning Society

The paper reports a reflective inquiry into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of systems-related courses developed and presented up to 1995 by the former Systems Department in the Open University, UK. The SWOT analysis is considered in the context of the "systems movement" in its broadest sense. Based on the OU experiences the institutional challenges of systems-as-discipline and interdiscipline are explored. Three strategies for the future are suggested: (i) the potential of Systems Departments to demonstrate rigorous and coherent interdisciplinarity; (ii) for systemists to work harder to bridge the divide between their espoused theory and theory in use, particularly in their own institutional settings and (iii) the need for a rigorous pedagogy for "systems practice."     

创新思维的旋转动力学理论框架

提出创新思维的旋转动力学理论框架，包括理论的矛盾和不变性两个基本原理以及场模型推理规则，进而以微分拓扑为数学工具，构造了理论框架，包括思维时空、思维拓扑、思维流形、思维代数和思维动力系统，通过它们可推演出思维的旋转性、边界性和弯曲性等性质，最后讨论了旋转动力学理论的应用法则和实例。     

"匀速论"是一切系统客观存在的共同规律

“匀速论”简而言之是系统匀速进化发展论。作为一个新概念，有其内涵和相应的结论。“匀速论”的提出有其理论依据——世界及其平衡理论、现代系统论原理、优秀传统哲学思想、马克思主义哲学、社会学和物理学、数学、化学、生物学等自然科学理论；有其实践依据——半个世纪以来人类发展观大反省和对我国经验教训的反思。“匀速论”的提出有着重要的理论和实践意义，而这种意义将在实践中逐渐被人们所认识。试图以“匀速论”概括可持续发展观暨科学发展观，或以此为其基本理论依据。     

C3I系统理论研究概况

简要回顾了 C3 I系统理论发展历史 ,详细讨论了 C3 I系统理论的主要研究内容和发展趋势 ,最后介绍了影响 C3 I系统理论的几个问题与因素以及对 C3 I系统理论的要求。     

Study on Robust Uniform Asymptotical Stability for Uncertain Linear Impulsive Delay Systems

In the area of control theory the time-delay systems have been investigated. It's well known that delays often result in instability, therefore, stability analysis of time-delay systems is an important subject in control theory. As a result, many criteria for testing the stability of linear time-delay systems have been proposed. Significant progress has been made in the theory of impulsive systems and impulsive delay systems in recent years. However, the corresponding theory     

Applications of Decision-making Model in Progress Management of Urban Development

Schedule arrangement is a key to success in urban development. In conventional practice, however, schedule arrangement in urban development is merely taken into account at the conceptual level. This study efficiently and effectively investigates and discusses the urban planning process based on the theory of systems engineering by an integral approach of quality and quantity, theory and practice, and government and market views. Support from specialist and financial model analysis also plays dominant roles in urban planning process. Furthermore, based on the outputs of models and experiences from a number of different urban planning projects, a decision-making model created by Da Yue Consulting Co., Ltd (DYCCL) has been applied in consulting project in Huainan of Anhui province. The evaluation of schedules in urban development process can be effectively settled via application of decision-making model.     

从整体与部分的辩证关系看系统论与还原论的适用范围

无论是系统论还是还原论，都是以整体与部分的关系作为客观基础的，都是整体与部分的辩证关系在方法论上的反映。还原论反映的是整体与部分的统一性，系统论反映的是整体与部分的对立性，还原论和系统论都只有局部真理性，应该将二者整合在一起，创立现代系统论，使其更好地为科学认识服务。     

A critique of hierarchy theory

In our zeal to apply models successfully, failures of the model are often overlooked. A model may be used for quite some time before its success is questioned or before the model fails to be applied successfully. Since hierarchy theory has been deemed successful in the systems field, it is necessary and appropriate to critique the development and application of hierarchy theory using the framework presented inCreative Problem Solving (Flood and Jackson, 1992). That framework proposes a critique that uses the four areas of theory, utility, ideology, and methodology in reviewing a systems theory. It is important to examine hierarchy theory through the analytical filter of critical systems thinking if we are genuinely to understand what hierarchy theory has to offer systems thinking in the exploration of complex situations.     

A Family of Reliable H_∞ State-Feedback Controllers for Nonlinear Systems with Strictly Redundant Actuators: the Full Information Case

1　 IntroductionInherited from state space linear H∞ control theory,a number of nonlinear H∞ solutionshave been presented in terms of various formulations.The nonlinear H∞ control problemcan be stated as follows:find a compensator,either state feedback ormore general outputfeedback such that( 1 ) the internal state of the closed-loop system is stable and( 2 ) the L2 -gain of the mapping from the exogenous input disturbance to the controlled output liketracking error or cost variables is mi…     

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.     

网络化控制系统的故障诊断

网络化控制系统与传统结构的控制系统相比具有许多优点,但经网络传输的控制信号所带来的随机时延、丢包、异步等问题会影响闭环控制系统的性能,因此需要发展可在网络环境工作的系统的控制理论和技术。故障诊断与容错控制对于控制工程实践特别是对安全性有严格要求的控制系统是十分重要的。近年来,我们较为系统地开展了网络化控制系统故障诊断与容错控制的研究工作从而可对故障诊断的主要研究结果进行概述。     

Systems thinking for information systems development

Although many information systems development methods (ISDMs) are available, past experience indicates that none of them completely supports the design process. One of the major problems is that the traditional ISDMs represents a poor match for some subsystems or dimensions involved in the information systems design (ISD). This paper presents an integration and interpretation of recent research on the mismatch of the ISDMs with the ISD process and suggests that systems ideas can be used to learn about and clarify our perceptions of the ISD processes. First, some important systems concepts such as systems, subsystem, dimensionality, system types, and characteristics are introduced. Second, some lessons of mismatch learned in the past that are related to those systems concepts are discussed. The discussion includes experiences learned through the ISD process such as communication problems, inadequate analysis of systems maintenance, lack of understanding of the relationship between the nature of the subsystem/dimension to be represented and the selection of tools, difficulties in integrating subsystems and dimensions, as well as Brooks' Law along with others. Third, some recommendations are given concerning how to avoid mismatch with a systems concept phase. Fourth, some guidelines are provided for implementing the tasks of the systems concept phase. Finally, a number of areas where research appears needed are mentioned.     

Structuration Theory and Self-Organization

Social systems theory is dominated by a reductionistic individualism and a dualistic functionalism. Especially the latter does not, adequately integrate the human being. In order to avoid dualism, mechanistic determinism, and reductionism, a dialectical concept of social systems that is based on the notion of self-organization seems necessary. In order to establish a dialectical theory of social self-organization it is appropriate to integrate aspects of Anthony Giddens' structuration theory. Giddens acknowledges the importance of knowledgeable human actors in society and argues that structures are the medium and outcome of actions (theorem of the duality of structure). Structures both enable and constrain social actions. This idea corresponds to saying that social systems are re-creative, i.e., self-organizing social systems. Re-creativity is based on the creative activities of human beings. Social structures exist in and through the productive practices and relationships of human actors. The term evolution can be employed in a nonfunctionalist way that acknowledges the importance of knowledgeable human actors in social systems by conceiving the historical development of society based on a dialectic of chance and necessity and theprinciple of order through fluctuation in situations of instability and bifurcation. All self-organizing systems are information-generating systems. Giddens' concept of storage mechanisms that allow time–space distanciation of social relationships helps to describe the relationship of information and self-organization in social systems.     

System–Environment Relations in the Theories of Open and Autopoietic Systems: Implications for Critical Systems Thinking

This short paper revisits Bertalanffy??s open systems theory and Luhmann??s theory of autopoietic social systems in order to highlight the linkage between systemic complexity and the carrying capacity of the environment. Being paradigmatically focused on biological complexity, Bertalanffy??s work shows this linkage to be relatively unproblematic. In contrast, Luhmann argued that autopoietic social systems are likely to develop excessive complexity which overstrains the environment??s carrying capacity. The paper synthesizes these conceptions into a framework of discretionary social decision-making aimed at preventing systemic complexity from becoming excessive. Rooted in the idea of balancing the system and the environment, this framework determines the optimal level of systemic complexity as that level which systems can maximally attain without incurring the risk of self-destruction. The system?Cenvironment balance is shown to be the general systems theory core of Ulrich??s critical systems heuristics and critical systems thinking more generally.     

The Dark Side of the Moon—Unilluminated Dimensions of Systems Practice

This paper explores some of the unilluminated or less explicit aspects of issues faced by those using systems approaches in real-world problem situations. The paper contends that discourse on systems approaches tends to be dominated by rational logical aspects of methodology, though other aspects of the intervention process, such as political dimensions of legitimacy, have become more important in the last 10–15 years. Unsurprisingly the discourse has been different for different methods. Method has been largely invisible in the hard systems area (or at least relatively little discussed), and although it has been the subject of much debate in the soft systems area, the debate has been nonetheless narrowly defined. It is narrowly defined in its relative neglect of process aspects for conducting a systems study. Since the nature of these processes (for example, the client/consultant relation) changes from hard systems to soft systems to critical systems in a way that makes social process progressively a more important dimension of each approach, this aspect has featured more in discourse on critical systems, but in general it remains a curious area of neglect. There is increasing interest in this area, and some signs that relevant theory and practice from closely related domains is being accessed to strengthen these approaches. This paper attempts to make a contribution by outlining and discussing some areas that could usefully complement existing systems approaches. The paper considers the following areas: (a) client relations, (b) analyst role, (c) language and communication, (d) group processes, (e) culture (and rationalities), (f) information gathering techniques and processes, and (g) change management or implementation. The paper draws on experiences of systems practices in the literature, interviews with systems practitioners, and writings in related areas. The paper ends by discussing some of the implications of these issues for the development of well-rounded systems approaches.     

Systemic Thinking in China: A Meta-Decision-Making Bridge to Western Concepts

We use a meta-decision-making approach to show that parallels can be drawn between an Oriental systems methodology, wuli, shili, renli (WSR), and the adjusting, convincing, and committing dimensions in nomology, a generic metamodel that is based in decision science. We then use the match between them to propose a metalinguistic bridge between China and the West that could aid in the communication and sharing of systems experiences. We use the bridge to consider some of the interpretations of Chinese systems experiences in terms of Western models in a special issue of Systemic Practice and Action Research (Vol. 13, No. 1, 2000) on systemic thinking in China. We show how WSR could help to relate these interpretations in terms of Chinese concepts. We explore proposals in a paper in the special issue by Midgley et al. (2000) about how to operationalize human relations in Chinese systems practice. We show that these correspond to a suggestion that developing commitment within a systems project should be done in a convincing manner. Hence, in WSR terms, we would say that their advice could be interpreted as meaning that shili should be used to operationalize renli. Finally, we propose as a research agenda that the bridge be used to explore how Chinese insights could help to illuminate Western systems experience.     

Attributional Bias as a Source of Conflict Between Users and Analysts in an Information Systems Development Context—Hypotheses Development

One potential obstacle to effective information systems development involves the conflict between users and developers. It has been argued that information systems development personnel have different perceptions of what constitutes systems effectiveness than do users. System objectives are accomplished from the developer's viewpoint when a system has technical validity. System objectives are accomplished from the user's viewpoint when the system has organizational validity. Differences in the assessment of information systems project success are accentuated when users perceive the project as a failure. Attribution theory, a social psychology theory, is employed here to explain the source and outcome of such conflict. Also discussed are alternative ways of resolving those differences.     

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。     

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。