A Teleonic Management Framework for Organizations

The hierarchical organization (HO) that has provided the prevailing model for business management for most of this century has been challenged repeatedly during the last 20 to 30 years. Matrix Management (MM), Total Quality Management (TQM), and Business Process Reengineering (BPR) are just three in the long line of approaches that have been suggested to remedy some of the problems with HO. Although these approaches have showed great promise, they either have been abandoned (MM), are on their way out (TQM), or are experiencing serious problems (BPR) in a large number of organizations that have tried to implement them. Yet many of these organizations have managed to make these approaches work. It is suggested in this paper that the main reasons for the failures do not lie in the models themselves, each of which have considerable merits, but in the absence of an overall theoretical framework, within which the various models could be validated and amalgamated. The authors are of the opinion that teleonics (proposed by Járos and Cloete, 1987) could serve as the basis for such a framework, which could thus be called the Teleonic Management Framework (TMF).     

The community general hospital as a doublet

This paper is an application of the Biomatrix approach formulated by Jaros and Cloete (World Futures 23, 203–224, 1987). This process-based systems approach is used as a conceptual framework and methodology to investigate the functioning of a community general HOSPITAL. The HOSPITAL is considered to be a doublet,viz., consisting of endoteleons and exoteleons. The way these teleons relate to one another, as well as the manner in which they should be managed, is described in some detail.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

主动道路交通安全规划体系

随着经济的高速发展．我国道路交通安全形势也日益严峻。以事故黑点改造为代表的传统“被动交通安全改善”方法虽然能有效解决道路安全中的一些问题，但也存在着明显的缺陷。本文在国内首先提出了“主动道路交通安全规划”这一概念．建立了主动道路交通安全规划框架体系，并构筑了主动交通安全规划的目标函数。其次，从城市总体规划、土地利用规划、综合交通规划和道路网规划四个方面提出了主动交通安全规划的要素和规划原则。最后，本文就主动道路交通安全规划今后的研究重点进行了讨论。     

Systems Thinking and Systems Practice: Working in the Fifth Dimension

This paper describes how a messy organizational problem was tackled using a systems approach which led to a resolution of the problem and to an improvement in the working relationships of the people involved. The example also shows how people who are not familiar with systems thinking, as such, can quickly be helped to develop a shared systemic view of a complex situation using activity modeling. At a deeper level, the paper also shows how the underlying dynamics of the problem situation was altered as a result of using a cooperative, dialogical working method, leading to an improvement in the quality of service provided by that part of the organization. The paper uses Peter Senge's five disciplines of a learning organization, together with various systems concepts, as a framework for describing how the process of change was brought about through the simultaneous management of task and social processes, leading to both individual and organizational learning.     

Promoting Metro Operation Safety by Exploring Metro Operation Accident Network

Understanding the causation of accidents is essential to promote metro operation safety.In terms of 243 reported metro operation accident cases in China, a directed weighted network was constructed based on complex network theory, where nodes and directed edges denotes factors and event chains respectively. To reveal the key causal factors, the topological characteristics of metro operation accident network(MOAN) were analyzed from both global and local views. The results show that facility-type factors are more closely related to the occurrence of the accidents from the perspectives of average path length and cascading effects. Accident types like train delay and train suspension are the great risk recipients. Key causal factors with large out-degree, out-strength, betweenness centrality and cluster coefficient, such as communication and signal failure, vehicle failure and piling into the train should be noticed. The research framework proposed in the paper is not only applicable to China's metro operation system, but also appropriate for other transportation system safety studies.     

面向复杂问题的贝叶斯网建模方法

面向复杂问题的贝叶斯网的建模是一项系统工程,必须遵循一定的流程和方法。建立了面向复杂问题的贝叶斯网建模流程,分为问题分析,模型设计与模型测试三个阶段。阐述了每个阶段所应完成的任务和解决方法,并在模型设计阶段,提出了将专家知识和数据融合的贝叶斯网构造方案。最后总结了建模过程中的简化原则。     

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.     

Re-framing Prostitution in Indonesia: A Critical Systemic Approach

This study applies critical systems thinking as a process to respond to and offer recommendations to address prostitution policy in Indonesia. The article addresses social, economic and environmental aspects of prostitution. The analysis centres on the way in which prostitution is framed by the different interest groups in Indonesia, and highlights the current crisis in policy-making praxis in Indonesia. The article develops a case for systemic policy praxis, and aims to: (1) Make a case for re-framing the issue of prostitution in the sense that it addresses the ‘capabilities’ prostituted women and children ought to have (see Sen in Development as freedom, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999 and Nussbaum in Women and human development: the capabilities approach, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2000). (2) Re-frame the policy response to prostitution to address life chances and human dignity. (3) Assert that the lack of attention to a just and fair human rights for all is due to a policy-making gap where ‘systemic intervention’ is required to restore human dignity.     

The observer's role and the process of critical review

The intention in this paper is to present a framework of critique which can be used to evaluate OR and determine (1) whether it is possible for OR to address its missing systemic, interdisciplinary components and (2) whether OR might address the practical (human) considerations often found in complex problem situations. The discussion begins with hierarchy theory and the work of C. West Churchman and moves towards incorporating those insights into a process of critical review (Wilby, 1996) as practiced within Total Systems Intervention (Flood and Jackson, 1991a, b; Food, 1995; Flood and Romm, 1996).     

基于系统论的STAMP模型在煤矿事故分析中的应用

为应对大量使用数字组件和构建复杂系统所带来的安全挑战,将系统工程的思想融入事故预防被认为是有效的应对方法.Systems-theoretic accident model and processes(STAMP)正是一种基于系统论的事故分析模型,目前已在航空航天、化工、医疗、交通安全等领域取得良好的应用.本文首次尝试使用STAMP模型详细分析一起煤矿事故,分别从物理过程、基层操作、直接监管、矿级监管和系统设计、省级监管及事故的动态过程等方面对导致事故发生的控制缺陷进行剖析,发现除技术原因和工人违章操作外,自下而上有12个组织机构存在控制错误,导致这些错误的关键原因是该系统分层控制结构中各层之间的反馈回路在系统外部环境改变后发生了变化.总之,煤矿事故是我国第一大生产事故,本文希望能提供一个更系统、广泛的视角,以帮助发现日益复杂的煤矿系统存在的安全隐患,减少类似事故发生的可能性.     

尾矿库风险演化复杂网络模型及关键隐患分析

针对尾矿库隐患及事故风险演化问题,面向尾矿库生命周期阶段,对事故影响因素包括技术,人为,环境与管理等因素和尾矿库隐患进行了辨识,进而构建了尾矿库事故风险演化的复杂网络模型.通过分析尾矿库复杂网络模型的特征参数和指数,得到了有关尾矿库隐患及风险演化的整体网络和事故子网的一些特性和规律;通过进行网络干扰和测试全网效率指数,找出了尾矿库风险演化复杂网络的关键节点(隐患),对预防和控制尾矿库隐患及事故风险演化具有指导意义.研究结果表明,尾矿库风险演化网络具有小世界网络特征,体现为局部空间或特定时间上的因素变化或干扰即可引发尾矿库系统的灾变,中间中心度较高的节点(隐患)是尾矿库风险演化过程中的关键节点(隐患),优先处置关键节点(隐患)有助于预防尾矿库事故的发生.     

EXTENDED CLUSTERING COEFFICIENTS：GENERALIZATION OF CLUSTERING COEFFICIENTS IN SMALL-WORLD NETWORKS

The clustering coefficient C of a network, which is a measure of direct connectivity between neighbors of the various nodes, ranges from 0 （for no connectivity） to 1 （for full connectivity）. We define extended clustering coefficients C（h） of a small-world network based on nodes that are at distance h from a source node, thus generalizing distance-1 neighborhoods employed in computing the ordinary clustering coefficient C = C（1）. Based on known results about the distance distribution Pδ（h） in a network, that is, the probability that a randomly chosen pair of vertices have distance h, we derive and experimentally validate the law Pδ（h）C（h） ≤ c log N / N, where c is a small constant that seldom exceeds 1. This result is significant because it shows that the product Pδ（h）C（h） is upper-bounded by a value that is considerably smaller than the product of maximum values for Pδ（h） and C（h）. Extended clustering coefficients and laws that govern them offer new insights into the structure of small-world networks and open up avenues for further exploration of their properties.     

Rhetorics and Realities in Public Service Organizations: Systemic Practice and Organizational Learning as Critically Reflexive Action Research (CRAR)

This article sets out to develop an argument and theory-in-practice related to organizational learning and systemic practice as critically reflexive action research (CRAR). It explores principles and concepts associated with CRAR, in the context of different emphases in understandings of and approaches to managing or working with change. The notion of epistemologies of practice is developed, as the basis for introducing on-site and off-site CRAR as interweaving cycles of managerial and organizational learning. A multilayered illustration of an improvisational CRAR environment, using principles of dialectical enquiry and critical learning theater, is offered. A diagrammatic analysis provides the framework for describing and reflecting critically on key CRAR processes. This is expanded with a consideration of possibilities for documentation that can assist with the validation of quality in CRAR processes and outcomes. This has relevance in the context of postpositivist action research at postgraduate levels or within project-based CRAR partnerships. This leads to a further discussion of principles and concepts, in the context of other literature and pressures on public services.     

Rapid Institutional Appraisal

A week-long intensive process of staff development and induction called Rapid Institutional Appraisal (RIA) was conducted in November 2000 in the Systems Discipline, Centre for Complexity and Change (CCC), at the Open University. We report the systemic roots and characteristics of the RIA as designed from traditions of soft systems methodology and rapid rural appraisal. Our experiences arising from our own use of RIA are described and the wider implications for organizational learning in a complex organization discussed. While acknowledging limitations with this RIA event, we argue that RIA offers a potential model for staff development for adaptive use in different contexts and on varying scales. The process builds on principles of "conversation" and "multiple perspectives" as the touchstone for establishing a purposeful community of practice.     

Simulating the supply disruption for the coordinated supply chain

There are many disruptive accidents in the supply chain operations system and achieving the coordination of supply chain is main objective for supply chain research. While disruptive accidents have increasingly influenced the coordinated operation of the supply chain, existing research literature on the supply chain coordination is setting in a stationary environment. The answer for how the disruptive accidents affect the coordinated supply chain is given in this paper. Based on the benchmark supply chain which is coordinated by the negative incentive mechanism, we study the impacts of supply disruption on the supply chain system by using simulation approach in which two different distribution function of random variable are used to express the supply disruption. Comparison between these two simulation results and possible coordination mechanism under the supply disruption are proposed. From the perspective of supply chain risk management, we provide the inspiration for the manager.     

Experience in the Practice of One Tradition of Multimethodology

This paper explores issues arising from the growing experience in the practice of just one of the traditions of multimethodology, namely that associated with a set of theoretical principles labeled pragmatic pluralism, and a methodological framework which is being developed to put these into action, namely, PANDA (participatory appraisal of needs and the development of action). The paper begins with a short historical introduction to the tradition of multimethodology under consideration; Section 2 then briefly describes some of the main features and principles involved in the PANDA framework. We then present three short case studies to illustrate different features of PANDA in action. The concluding section reflects on the issues that arise from the use of PANDA and discusses our future agenda for its development.