Churchman and Maturana: Enriching the Notion of Self-Organization for Social Design

C. West Churchman and Humberto Maturana share similar cultural traditions involving frustrations with applying conventional systematic methods in domains of social systems design (Churchman) and neurobiology (Maturana). They have independently of each other developed a rich systemic framework of analysis based on a constructivist epistemology. But there appears to have been little correspondence between the two traditions. This paper explores six possible areas of congruence between the critical systemic perspective associated with Churchman and Maturanas autopoiesis. This initial sketch reveals possible ways forward in applying ideas of autopoiesis to our social world through a more constructive and adaptive conversation with the works of Churchman.     

企业知识基础网络结构与技术创新绩效的关系——基于中国电子信息行业的实证分析

企业知识基础是其技术创新的起点,提高中国企业的自主创新能力已成为管理学界和企业关注的焦点问题之一。为了明确企业知识基础网络结构与技术创新绩效间的关系,以中国电子信息行业31家企业的37 108发明专利数据为样本,以专利的国际技术分类为知识基础网络的节点,同属于2个技术分类的专利数量为节点间边的权重,构建了企业的知识基础网络。通过对中国电子信息行业中企业的知识基础网络结构特征和技术创新绩效关系的实证分析,发现企业知识基础网络密度和分解性与技术创新绩效之间存在倒U型关系,而中心性与技术创新绩效之间的曲线关系未得到实证支持。     

Knowledge elicitation for systems practitioners: A constructivist application of the repertory grid technique

This paper deals with the question of knowledge elicitation from a constructivist perspective. Repertory grids are examined as a means of exploring the perspectives of actors concerned with a problem situation. The issue of how to select a method to capture expert knowledge is dealt with and a practical application is provided of how the proposed approach might serve to inform the elicitor about the organization.     

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.     

An Idea Ahead of Its Time: The History and Development of Soft Systems Methodology

This paper, part of the Festschrift for Peter Checkland, provides an outline of the history and development of soft systems methodology. It includes a personal reflection on my experiences of SSM, as well as a more objective evaluation of its achievements and limitations.     

Exploration of opportunity costs and consideration exploration of opportunity costs and consideration for future generations: Two lasting contributions to systems thinking

In his numerous writings C. West Churchman has shown how the systems approach can be used to secure improvements in the human condition. Specifically one must think holistically. Two concepts—exploration of opportunity costs and consideration for future generations—underline whole systems thinking. The author argues based on his own experience that these tools of the human intellect are among the most lasting contributions Churchman has made to systems thinking.     

Aligning Academic Activities: Implications for Teaching and Research in a New Zealand Institute of Technology

A problem situation that is at the heart of a New Zealand higher education institute applying for university status is meeting the requirement for sufficient academic staff with postgraduate qualifications. For this particular New Zealand higher education institute that was originally a teaching institution offering only sub-degree qualifications, the move to firstly offering degrees and secondly seeking university status has meant that employment conditions have shifted for many academics. In order to explore the multiple world views on the impact to the whole system of a significant number of staff upgrading qualifications whilst engaged in full-time teaching at the same time, views were sought from senior executives, heads of schools, human resource personnel and staff engaged in their own postgraduate study. Multiple conceptual models have been utilised to gain an understanding of this problem situation: Soft Systems Methodology (Checkland and Scholes, 1990, 1999) in both its original and its current form; complexity theory (McKenna, 1999; Merry, 1995; Stacey, 1996) and context-dependent cluster model (CDCM) (Fielden and London, 2001). These multiple conceptual models have all contributed to providing a basis upon which to compare multiple-perceived worlds with appropriate conceptual models upon which to base a future action plan.Outcomes discussed are both positive and negative factors including: recognition, time, stress, employment contracts, senior staff expectations, family, collegial and institutional support and the integration of own study with teaching practice and content. Implications for alignment across institutional organisational levels and also for higher education outside of the university sector are also discussed.     

Knowing Wuli,Sensing Shili,Caring for Renli: Methodology of the WSR Approach

This paper presents an outline of an Oriental systems methodology: the Wuli Shili Renli approach (WSR). The basic theme of WSR contends that wuli (regularities in objective existence), shili (ways of seeing and doing), and renli (patterns underlying human relations) constitute a differentiated whole that conditions systems projects. WSR suggests that we should design and employ appropriate methods to address and tackle wuli shili and renli elements in a theoretically informed and systemic way. The background, philosophy, process, principles, and some practical applications of the methodology are preliminarily outlined.     

Control of vehicle platoons for highway safety and efficient utility: Consensus with communications and vehicle dynamics

Platoon formation of highway vehicles is a critical foundation for autonomous or semiautonomous vehicle control for enhanced safety,improved highway utility,increased fuel economy,and reduced emission toward intelligent transportation systems.Platoon control encounters great challenges from vehicle control,communications,team coordination,and uncertainties.This paper introduces a new method for coordinated control of platoons by using integrated network consensus decisions and vehicle control.To achieve suitable coordination of the team vehicles based on terrain and environmental conditions,the emerging technology of network consensus control is modified to a weighted and constrained consensus-seeking framework.Algorithms are introduced and their convergence properties are established.The methodology employs neighborhood information through on-board sensors and V2 V or V2 I communications,but achieves global coordination of the entire platoon.The ability of the methods in terms of robustness,disturbance rejection,noise attenuation,and cyber-physical interaction is analyzed and demonstrated with simulated case studies.     

Revitalizing the Public Sphere: The Current System of Discourse and the Need for the Participative Design of Social Action

Public discourse in Western democracies, particularly in the United States, is far from the Habermasian ideal of citizens engaging in a rational discussion of public affairs. Rather than providing an arena for informed deliberation, the growing expertise of the media, lobbyists, and politicians has sub-optimized the current system of discourse to focus on emotional manipulation and the creation of polarized interests, each competing with each other for dominance. Avoiding a potentially disastrous outcome from this unbalancing of public discourse requires a revitalization of the public sphere and a return of the citizen voice in public decision making. To that end, systems thinkers have a tremendous opportunity and can play an important role. This article will explore the current challenges facing public discourse and outline that potential role.