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.     

Total systems intervention: A practitioner's critique

An earlier paper in this journal described an intervention in North Yorkshire Police using the TSI meta-methodology. This Research Note draws upon the experience gained from that intervention to provide a critique of TSI. The critique is informed by Flood and Jackson's foundational work but is intended to be pitched more at the practical, rather than the theoretical, level.     

The application of autopoiesis to social organizations: A comment on John Mingers' reply

I am grateful to our Editor for this opportunity of making a reply.I hope, in these few lines, not to have converted John Mingers, and those like-minded, to a belief in autopoietic social systems but to have raisedjust the possibility that there is a problem area here and that, because of the anticipated outcomes of such a possibility, this area is worth our attention.     

Criticizing the phenomenological critique—Autopoiesis and critical realism

There has been, and still is, an important debate between critical systems and soft (interpretive) systems concerning epistemology and ontology. Flood and Ulrich argued for a position they termed “critical idealism,” but this has been contested by Fuenmayor, who proposed that critical systems was unnecessary since phenomenology provided the necessary and sufficient form of critique. This paper, in turn, argues for critical systems, providing a critique of phenomenology which shows that at least three of its own presuppositions are invalid. It is further suggested that an adequate philosophy for critical systems has not yet emerged and that the cognitive autopoietic theories of Maturana and the critical realism of Bhaskar will be important strands in its development.     

Conceptions of ideology: An exegesis and critique

Conceptions of ideology exhibit an awesome diversity. From an exegesis of nine different conceptions, this paper argues that it is the historical materialist view of ideology that reflects its specificity as a critical concept. From exegesis, the paper moves to diagnosis, using the critical idea that it is the systematic concealment of social contradictions that defines the ideological dis-ease. Thus, the positivist hard systems approach is found to suffer from the ideology of economic individualism. The structuralist hard systems approach suffers from the ideology of sociological unitarism. The soft systems approach suffers from the ideology of naturalism, thereby laying itself open, by default, to ideological penetration, especially of the sociological unitarist type. In programmatic terms, this unmasking of ideologies in the interest of enlightenment is one of the necessary functions for the liberation of systems theory.     

Towards a critique of Critical Systems Thinking within a foucauldian framework: A “demystification process” or an “instrumental use” of Critical Theory

Critical Systems Thinking is an approach which aims at providing a coherent platform to guide systems practitioners through the numerous systems paradigms and systems methodologies currently available. However, it claims not only that it can provide an efficient way for choosing the appropriate methodology based on proper understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, but also that it is grounded within a commitment to critique, complementarism, and emancipation. Furthermore, it has claimed to be deeply rooted in the ideas of Habermas and Foucault. Considering recent research in Foucault's philosophy, this paper attempts to provide of CST a critical examination which can be extended to other areas of the management and systems sciences. In the context of this examination, the conclusion has been reached that CST has at least two options. The first is to redefine itself as a demystification process (of cherished concepts such as emancipation, complementarism, intervention and so on), if it wants to remain somehow ‘inspired’ by Critical Theory. The second one is to redefine its ‘critical’ claims so as to become aligned with managerial activities such as business consultancy and intervention, openly acknowledging an application of Critical Theory that is instrumental, if such an influence indeed exists.     

关系契合对知识迁移与突破性创新绩效的影响研究

企业内外部关系产生的知识对突破性创新绩效具有十分重要的影响, 本文通过文献研究提出相关理论假设, 运用结构方程模型对关系契合、知识迁移与突破新绩效之间的关系进行实证研究. 结果表明, 社会资本契合和关系资本契合对知识迁移均有显著正向影响; 而人力资本相关度与结构资本相关度对知识迁移的影响不显著, 但关系资本契合与人力资本相关度交互作用对知识迁移却有显著正向影响; 知识迁移对突破性创新绩效的两个维度均有不同程度地正向影响, 其中对过程创新绩效维影响更显著. 研究结论可为企业有效实施知识管理, 进而提升突破性创新绩效提供借鉴和启示.     

可持续发展的系统探析

实现社会可持续发展的战略,离不开系统观的指导。持续性本身就体现了客观事物系统的联系、系统的作用、系统的整体性等不可违背的客观规律。因此,必须探索、概括可持续发展的系统观,认识其重要的意义和作用。     

区间算法简介

近年来 ,国际上区间算法运用于计算科学和工程取得了一些显著成果 ,国内也开始了这方面的研究 .区间算法提出初衷是为了提高计算结果的可靠性 ,但是人们很快发现区间算法可以有更广泛的应用 ,如工程 ,金融等多方面 .区间算法对传统浮点算法进行了一个根本改革 ,它把计算的数存储为区间 ,并对这些区间进行运算 ,使避免浮点算法所产生的计算误差成为可能 .另外 ,区间算法使得区间参数能被直接包含在计算之中 ,这在实际应用里具有重要的意义 .区间算法是对浮点算法的一个有益补充 ,值得从事科技计算研究的工作者了解和应用.     

基于TAL系统的城市化综合水平测度模型的研究

传统的关于城市化综合水平分析的目标主要是为了研究城市发展程度，以人口密度及城市规模作为重要依据。本文则以城市现实实力、城市潜在实力以及城市发展环境等指标作为度量城市化综合指标的依据．即采取TAL(Ternate Analysis Law)系统分析法，并建立模型对我国城市化综合水平进行分析．其结果是我国的城市化综合水平与人均GDP存在着正向相关的关系。     

一种求解NASH均衡解的遗传算法

将现代生物遗传基因理论引入到对策问题的均衡解计算中来,本文设计了求解有限n人非合作对策的Nash均衡解的遗传算法模型,并通过双矩阵对策的例题验证了算法的有效性。     

A Simulation Approach to the Stable Marriages Problem

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A Systemic Approach to Addressing the Complexity of Energy Problems

This paper presents a conceptual framework for using energy as a vehicle for holistic development to address: poverty, gender discrimination, community involvement in decision making on social, economic, and environmental issues. The approach is systemic and participatory ironically, energy is always seen or considered in fragmentation from other areas and as a technical subject, without considering it in less literal and more metaphorical terms as an end and means of communication. Energy should be seen holistically. Holism is based on a profound understanding of the interconnectedness of the various parts and their relationship to the whole. The point made in this paper is that, by adding energy to the development plan, we solve nothing unless we also consider community mobilization, participatory approaches, and the role of gender in development. Pradhan's research in Nepal has demonstrated that if one thinks of energy only in technical terms and development projects strive to provide more electricity, the interventions can paradoxically just add more drudgery to the lives of women, unless policies consider energy within the context of the whole social, political, economic, and environmental system. Energy provision is more than merely a technical intervention. Participation uses human energy and the creative energy of human beings in a different way. The heart of participatory development is co-creating (in the sense used by Reason, 1988, 2002) understanding based on communication that is generative in the sense used by Paulo Freire. Generative understanding provides a different kind of energy, based on resonance. So this is a play on words when we place energy in a technical sense and energy in a human sense at the center of development. Also, physicists would argue that energy needs to be considered far wore widely as a basis for communication and life. Some also argue that energy is the basis of all organic and inorganic matter in the universe; it is the communication across subatomic matter.     

灰区间可靠度的确定方法

灰区间可靠度直接影响建立在灰区间基础上的有关研究结果 .本文提出了一种确定灰区间的方法 ,建立了一个确定灰区间可靠度的数学模型 .