Vickers’ Concept of ‘Relationship-Maintenance’ as an Alternative to ‘Goal-Seeking’ Models of Organisation: A Difference in the Notion of Control

The concept of ‘goal-seeking’ has had a powerful influence on thinking about organizations. Whilst the concept is undeniably useful it is argued that it is also a very narrow concept of organization which can limit the way in which we think about human decision making and action. Vickers’ idea of relationship-maintenance is reviewed as a richer concept to help us think about human activity systems such as organizations. The differences between goal-seeking and relationship-maintenance are explored and explained by reference to the different way in which the concept of ‘control,’ or ‘regulation,’ is incorporated within each.     

基于 Bayesian-SV-SGT 模型的原油价格‘Value at Risk’估计

从分析原油现货市场收益率的统计特征入手,为更好地刻画原油现货市场收益率的尖峰厚尾、偏态及波动集聚性和持续性的波动特性,引入 SGT 分布来描述原油市场 价格的分布特征, 利用 SV模型来度量国际原油市场的价格波动率. 同时, 基于 Bayesian 原理,利用 MCMC 方法来解决 SV 模型的参数估计难题, 建立了 Bayesian-SV-SGT模型, 并对国际原油现货价格“VaR”(Value at Risk)进行了估计和分析.研究结果表明, 相对 GARCH 类-GED 模型而言, Bayesian-SV-SGT模型更好地刻画了原油现货市场收益特征,并能更加精确地刻画原油现货市场的价格风险.     

Measuring the Performance of a Research Strategic Plan System Using the Soft Systems Methodology’s Three ‘Es’ and the Viable System Model’s Indices of Achievement

We explore problems involving the measurement of the performance of a system. We outline two systemic approaches that have come from different epistemological positions: one from the interpretivist paradigm (soft systems methodology) and the other from the cybernetic paradigm (viable systems model). These two systemic methodologies that have tackled problems involving performance measurement are considered and discussed: (a) Checkland’s systems ideas of ‘managing and controlling’ a system throughout a set of three measures of performance: efficacy, efficiency and effectiveness; and (b) Beer’s concepts of Actuality, Capability, Potentiality of the firm and his claims that the performance of a system needs to be quantifiable and resumed on ‘pure’ numbers which should reflect the survivability of the firm. A parallel is drawn between the two approaches concluding that although the paradigms underpinning them are in some way different, the practicalities of these approaches to control, measure and improve the performance of a system are very similar. A case involving the measurement of a proposed research strategic plan for a Manchester Metropolitan University Business School’s department is used to illustrate the systemic approaches.     

An Assessment of the Application of ‘Critical Systems Heuristics’ to a Policy Development Process

Through the presentation and analysis of a case study of a policymaking process for the quality assurance of higher education by an external government agency, this paper seeks to highlight the contribution of Ulrich’s critical systems heuristics as a method for enhancing the social rationality of policymaking. It is claimed that the use of CSH enabled the researcher to elicit rich qualitative data that captured different world-views, values and boundary judgments of social actors representing the different groups of stakeholders involved in or affected by the policy. The use of CSH contributed to a policy settlement that involved substantial improvement to the reformulated policies. However, it is argued that, in the context of a new democracy with a weak public sphere, CSH was unable to counter the unequal power relations between the government agency and the universities and the historical-political fractures of South African society that caused divisions within and across Ulrich’s social roles.

Using the ‘Engagement’ Model of Problem Solving to Assist Students in Capstone Learning

The engagement model for problem solving was developed as a response to soft systems methodology being difficult to implement in certain circumstances. In the years since the original paper was published, the model has developed into an iterative problem solving approach for the assessment, creation and implementation of new ideas in difficult problem situations. This case study paper exemplifies the kind of work undertaken through the use of the model and provides a practical scenario for how one might apply it. The case study takes place in a higher education environment and relates to the development of a capstone course for management majors. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research.     

A Systemic Approach to Eliciting and Gathering the Expertise of a ‘Knowledge Guardian’: an Application of the Appreciative Inquiry Method to the Study of Classical Dressage

This paper reports on a study in which an interpretive systems-based approach to knowledge elicitation, the Appreciative Inquiry Method (AIM), is used to elicit and record the expertise of what is referred to as a ??knowledge guardian??. A ??knowledge guardian?? is an individual who is a current repository and representative of some culturally-embedded knowledge which, for generations, has been passed on through teaching and apprenticeship, and continues to be so. Such knowledge is rich, complex and precious and merits protection. The knowledge guardian in this study is a Portuguese rider and teacher of Classical Dressage. His expertise relies heavily upon the ability to ??feel?? and explain such feeling in his teaching. The view of Classical Dressage that emerges from the study emphasises the importance of the individual??s psychological development and motivation to participate in the art due to a desire to experience ??brilliance??. The paper describes the process undertaken during the elicitation sessions and provides the models developed and used to facilitate the discussion. These models (Root Definition and Conceptual Model) are of the type commonly associated with Soft Systems Methodology. The paper also provides comments on the use of AIM, the knowledge recorded about Classical Dressage and the reflections of the two collaborators involved in the study.     

‘Who’s in the Network?’ When Stakeholders Influence Data Analysis

Environmental applications of social network analysis (SNA) are just beginning to emerge, and so far have focussed on understanding the characteristics of social networks that increase the likelihood of collective action and successful natural resource management. We move beyond this discussion to demonstrate how knowledge gained from analysing the social networks of stakeholders can be harnessed for selecting stakeholders, and further, how these analyses can be influenced by the expressed wishes and concerns of stakeholders. Although we began our SNA using concepts derived from the resource-management literature, stakeholder involvement in the interpretation of the results led to the use of SNA techniques that had not previously been applied in the context of resource management. We thus re-analysed our data and modified our selection of research participants. Re-analysis led to the selection of research participants who (1) had unique positions in the network, thus occupying non-redundant communication roles in the network, (2) came from different stakeholder categories and (3) were relatively well-connected to others and tended to broker across different segments of the network. By combining insights from researchers and stakeholders in this way, it was possible to use SNA in an innovative and sensitive way to better meet the needs of the stakeholders and the research project.

The Relationship of ‘Systems Thinking’ to Action Research

This article investigates the relationship of systems thinking to action research by reviewing the main developments in systems thinking and relating these to action research. There are two main lines of thought in systems thinking that lead to wholly different conceptions about action research. The first (systems thinking) advocates thinking about real social systems that it assumes exist in the world. The second (systemic thinking) supposes only that the social construction of the world is systemic. Greater emphasis is placed on systemic thinking consistent with its greater importance to contemporary action research. The article concludes that systemic thinking when taken to its practical conclusion from a critical perspective offers to action research a somewhat unique liberating praxis. Concern that any liberating praxis could remain hollow is addressed through a certain kind of ‘spiritual’ awareness that is suggested by wholeness.     

Efficient Calculation of the Radar Cross Section at the Interior Resonance by the Inverse Power Method

It is well known that the incorrect results will be given using either the electric or magnetic field integral equation to calculate the radar cross section (RCS) of a closed body at the interior resonance. In this paper, an effective iterative technique is used to correct the calculated surface current density from the electric field integral equation. The radar cross section is computed for an infinite conducting circular cylinder at the interior resonance, and the obtained results are     

EcoLiteracy and MetaResponsibility: ‘Steps to an Ecology of Mind’

For 25 years the Monash Graduate School of Environmental Science has attempted to teach a critical epistemology as core to its graduate programs. The idea is to provide a complement to the Cartesian world view its students bring with them. It provides a capacity to analyse for the interpretive models upon which phenomena of concern are based and with these models in mind to propose strategies for acting “metaresponsibly” in environment. The intellectual basis of this approach is developed and then applied to a range of current issues. An unusual and liberating set of responses is generated.The title of the seminal work by Gregory Bateson (Bantam, 1973). In the early years of the Monash program in systems thinking, this work and his last, Mind & Nature: A Necessary Unity (Bantam, 1980), were primary references.     

Heilbronn’s Problem of Eight Points in the Square

Journal of Systems Science and Complexity - In this work the authors consider the problem of optimally distributing 8 points inside a unit square so that the smallest area of the...     

Complete monotonicity of the probability of ruin and de Finetti’s dividend problem

This paper studies the complete monotonicity of the probability of ruinψin the the classical risk model and the classical risk model that is perturbed by a diffusion.As a byproduct,the authors give an alternative proof to a result on the optimal dividend problem due to LoefFen(2008).     

A Conceptual Framework Based on Maturana’s Ontology of the Observer to Explore the Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology

This paper explores Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) through the lenses of a theoretical framework that incorporates key concepts from Maturana’s Ontology of the Observer (OoO) with the view of complementing Checkland’s SSM application process. We outline and examine paradigmatic compatibility between: Checkland’s ontological position (reality is problematic/chaotic) together with his interpretivist epistemology (multiple perceptions enrich the ever-changing reality); and Maturana’s OoO (we are immersed in the praxis of living in an ontological multi-universe). We argue that OoO resonates with key SSM theoretical underpinnings. After establishing compatibility between these two influential systems thinkers, we advance a conceptual framework in which Checkland’s SSM learning process is re-visited through a the framework grounded on Maturana’s OoO. The proposed framework illustrates how key ideas drawn from Maturana’s OoO can shed light into the way in which some of the main SSM devices (i.e.: Root definitions, Conceptual model) are used in the SSM process. By doing that, SSM is enriched and becomes more flexible as the stakeholders involved are placed within the domain of constitutive ontologies from which, a deeper dialogue can be promoted in a domain of coexistence in mutual acceptance. We argue that this is a suitable way to have more flexible and holistic views for a SSM intervention in particular to promote the learning process and debating proposed changes amongst the stakeholders involved. The proposed framework, when applied, may enhance the power of SSM learning process and when adopted can have substantial implications to complement the SSM process.

     

Evaluating the Impacts of Universal Two-Child Policy on Beijing’s Population

This paper explores the impacts of the universal two-child policy on Beijing's population in the long term. It gives a detail estimation of Beijing population considering the latest fertility and immigration policy and can help related government department management population. The cohortcomponent method based on a net migration was applied to project population by age for Beijing from2020 to 2050 in four fertility scenarios. The innovation is the estimation method of the mortality rate with the life table linked with life expectancy. The results show that, though the basic development trend of Beijing's population will not change essentially under the universal two-child policy, low birth rate and aging problems will be improved. Compared with the partial policy relaxation, the total population will be 876,478 persons more than that in 2050, the share of population aged 0–14 will increase 1.1 percentage points, and the aged dependency ratio will decrease 1.96 percentage points.Some measures should be taken to encourage more couples to have a second child and introduce more young talents to promote Beijing's prosperity.     

Chover’s law of the iterated logarithm for negatively associated sequences

<正> Consider a sequence of negatively associated and identically distributed random variableswith the underlying distribution in the domain of attraction of a stable distribution with an exponentin(0,2).A Chover's law of the iterated logarithm is established for negatively associated randomvariables.Our results generalize and improve those on Chover's law of the iterated logarithm(LIL)type behavior previously obtained by Mikosch(1984),Vasudeva(1984),and Qi and Cheng(1996)fromthe i.i.d,case to NA sequences.     

A Model of Vary in Distance Leslie Matrix of the Giant Panda's Population at Wu-YiPeng,Wolong

ＡＭｏｄｅｌｏｆＶａｒｙｉｎＤｉｓｔａｎｃｅＬｅｓｌｉｅＭａｔｒｉｘｏｆｔｈｅＧｉａｎｔＰａｎｄａ’ｓＰｏｐｕｌａｔｉｏｎａｔＷｕＹｉＰｅｎｇ，ＷｏｌｏｎｇＸＵＥＪｕｅｍｉｎＨＡＮＣｈｕｎｌｉａｎＳｈａｎｘｉＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙ，０３０００６Ｓ...     

Characteristics and realization of the second generation surface acoustic wave’s wavelet device

1.INTRODUCTIONDue to the process and characteristics of the non-stationary signals both in ti me and frequency do-mains,wavelet technology has been widely em-ployedin scientific research and engineering appli-cation fields[1~3].To date,wavelet algorithmthatneeds a larger number of mathematic operationsand complicated program is mainly realized bycomputer,whichis quite difficult and expensive toapplyit to engineeringfields and portable electron-ic systems.To solve these problems,we proposed…     

To Escape the ‘Finishing the Biology Syllabus Syndrome’: An Action Research Exploratory Study in Explicit Modelling for Malaysian Biology Teacher Training

In this paper an exploratory two phase action research of one teacher educator’s attempt at explicit modelling is portrayed. The first phase elicited opinions of pre-service Biology teachers at the end of a semester. Based on the findings of the first phase, the second phase facilitated the pre-service Biology teacher sample to alleviate their ‘finishing the syllabus syndrome’ which they had picked up from their school days. The explicit modelling planned for the second phase was based upon the modelling theory of Albert Bandura. The study indicates that the explicit modelling endeavoured appeared to have some effect upon the motivation and the symbolising, vicarious, forethought, self-regulation and self-reflection capabilities of the pre-service Biology teachers. The ‘finishing the syllabus mentality’ where the presentation of content was significant, showed signs of weakening at the end of the second phase.