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.     

Total systems intervention and human inquiry: The search for a common ground

Total Systems Intervention (TSI) is an approach to intervening in problem situations which has much to offer where complex interacting issues need to be addressed by the complementary use of intervention methodologies. That such an approach has much in common with Action Research (AR) has been recognized, with much recent effort being devoted to the relationship between AR and Critical Systems Thinking (CST), the theoretical endeavor underpinning TSI. This paper further develops this line of debate and relates AR or Human Inquiry (HI) more directly to TSI, using an information systems intervention to enhance the study. The outcome is a demonstration of how TSI implicitly uses techniques informed from the field of Action Research, and how a more thorough synthesis of HI with TSI might serve to improve the overall intervention process.     

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."     

Applying process mining approach to support the verification of a multi-agent system

Using agent development tools to construct an agent-based system is a well applied approach.However,the development tools usually do not have the function to check the feasibility about the workflow of the agent system during it implementation stage.Therefore,to develop an evaluation approach to analyze the feasibility of a developing agent system such that the improper workflow of an agent system can be found in the early design stage is a necessary task to reduce the risk of implementation.In this research,a Petri Net(PN) based three-stage evaluation approach was developed.In the conceptual stage,the pitfall of the current agent system developing process was examined and an improvement analysis process was specified.Then,in the system design stage,an evaluation approach which extracted the process log file from a developing agent system into a PN model in terms of a process mining approach-α algorithm was proposed.This model was simulated in a PN simulation package.The agent system performance was evaluated in terms of analyzing the deadlock phenomena of the PN model.Finally,in the implementation stage,the proposed concept was implemented by using an agent developing tool JADE and a PN simulation tool CPN.An agent-based robotic assembly system was used to examine the possible deadlock of the agent system.     

双指数跳跃扩散模型的McMC估计

使用贝叶斯方法估计了双指数跳跃扩散模型,该方法是使用Euler方法对连续过程进行离散化,用离散过程的似然函数做为模型参数的近似后验似然函数.证明了McMC方法是分析双指数跳跃扩散模型的有效工具,由McMC方法抽样所得的后验分布可以用来进行统计推断.模拟试验表明双指数跳跃扩散模型能够体现资产收益的许多经验特征,尖峰厚尾特征和期权定价中的“波动微笑”.     

利用决策支持系统提高鱼病远程会诊效果

为了应对鱼病会诊问题的复杂性，提出利用群体决策支持技术来辅助专家会诊决策。主要分析了鱼病会诊决策支持的内容和特点，认为将群体决策支持技术应用于鱼病远程会诊，可以解决会诊决策的结构不良问题，进而提高鱼病会诊决策效果。图2，参10。     

Decision Support Systems (DSS) development using a model of user inquiry types: Methodological proposals and a case study

A study of the DSS implementation area reveals an increased emphasis on methodologies for DSS development. As the DSS field matures, a larger number of methodological options are becoming available to the DSS developer. Existing methodologies have adopted various methods for performing the important task of DSS requirements analysis and specification. In envisaging a hierarchy of requirements analysis methods, a method for improved requirements analysis is proposed to remedy observed deficiencies within it. This method is based on a view of generic types of inquiries or solicitations made by the DSS user during decision-making. This formalism constitutes the basis of a proposed DSS development methodology that offers several benefits to DSS development. The intended benefits include a sharper and more focused requirements analysis to improve the DSS development process. This paper describes the model and methodology, alongside details of a real-world example of their use in developing a Marketing Decision Support System (MKDSS) for the support of marketing decision-making.     

战技指标对武器系统效能影响程度的灰色量化

以灰色系统理论中的灰靶贡献度理论为依据,给出了一种确定性能指标对武器系统综合性能影响程度的灰色量化方法。首先以该理论为依据,构造分析方法的数学模型;以数学模型为工具,求各指标的灰靶贡献度,进而确定各指标对效能影响程度的相对大小。在对算例结果进行分析时,通过将该方法所得结果与用传统方法求解武器系统火力突击指数时,通过实验所确定的权系数值进行对比分析,验证了该方法的有效性。     

Output feedback adaptive control of multivariable nonlinear systems using Nussbaum gain method

1. INTRODUCTION Output feedback adaptive control of single input and single output (SISO) nonlinear systems with unknown constant parameters has been well developed via backstepping design[1]. In order to achieve asymptotic tracking of a known reference trajectory, a restrictive assumption is the sign of the high frequency gain to be known. Some results for relaxing this assumption have also been proposed [2]. It has been shown that if the sign of the high frequency gain is unknown, the …     

Using the Viable Systems Model to Structure a System Dynamics Mapping and Modeling Project for the Australian Taxation Office

This paper is a case study of a major System Dynamics (SD) intervention in policy design in the Australian Taxation Office. The project, which lasted two years, tested a number of hypotheses regarding the application of Stafford Beer's Viable Systems Model (VSM) to the structure and process of the project. The paper reports that the success of the VSM within the ATO was qualified by political changes in the external environment.     

USING THE ANALYTICAL HIERARCHY PROCESS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE USE OF GEO-RESOURCES IN METROPOLITAN AREAS

1. Introduction Geo-resources like sand and gravel are important raw materials which are mainly needed for concrete production in civil engineering projects. This makes them valuable, especially in metropolitan areas where construction activities are frequent. In spite of their usefulness for construction purposes, their economic value is relatively low so that transporting them over greater distances is normally not profitable in most cases. To be run economically, sand and gravel pits are th…     

Granularity as a determinant of system architecture

The size of unit components in general systems is claimed to be the major determinant of architecture. Three generations of systems are characterized in terms of their component size. Architectural issues in information systems, production management, and organizational structure are identified and related to the size of their unit components. Historical debates on classification of information systems, production systems, and organizational structures are reviewed, analyzed, and explained in terms of three general architectural classes based on a selection of a unit component and the size of that unit component.     

The Systemic Approach of SSM: The Case of a Brazilian Company

This paper aims to describe the application of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to the reality of a Brazilian enterprise. Systemic practices are ways of putting to use systemic thought in the real world, using the precepts of the systemic approach, which is very important for knowledge management and globalization. The systemic practice SSM is used in the resolution of ill-defined problems, which often involve behavioral variables and, thus, cannot be addressed by the so-called hard methodologies. In this paper, SSM is applied to the problematic of a middle-market business, an auto supply distributor, whose managers consulted the authors of this paper as regards proposing improvements of its performance. As a result of this work, the authors were able to propose core changes in attitudes, leading to changes in structure and process.     

复杂性问题研究实践与认识论、方法论反思

概述笔者从事两项复杂性问题研究的认识与实践 :一是辩证唯物论认识论的指导作用与系统科学的中介作用 ,不容忽视 ;二是在预测和控制某些复杂系统行为的研究中 ,还原论与整体论结合的一个切入点和一种有效形式 ,是典型信息法。     

A Model for Design of Human Activity Systems

A background is given to the common failures of management information systems and the authors' view of the causes behind these failures. There seems to be a lack of effective methods for analyzing information requirements. Different scientific methods are discussed as to their propensity for analyzing the information requirements. The importance of the systems design approach instead of the system improvement approach is emphasized. The concept of Human Activity Systems is discussed and an analysis of the interdependence of the soft and hard parts of these systems indicates that an integrated view is necessary. A methodology based on a systemic and systematic analysis of the information requirements in an organization is proposed. This methodology focuses the settings of the decisions on all levels in organizations and also indicates organizational discrepancies and information imbalances. The methodology can be regarded as a dynamic, learning system.     

基于广义Fuzzy偏好关系的决策方法探讨

提出了广义模糊偏好关系的概念.设计了互补化排序和加性一致化排序两种排序方法,讨论了两种排序方法的相关性质.基于这两种排序方法,定义了冗余一致性指标和加性一致性指标,并讨论了采用加权算术平均算子(WAA 算子)或有序加权平均算子(OWA 算子)对广义模糊偏好关系进行集结,其群体偏好一致性(包括冗余一致性和加性一致性)的相关性质.对进一步完善基于模糊偏好关系的群决策模型具有理论和现实意义.     

The Viable Systems Model Applied to a National System of Innovation to Inform Policy Development

This paper outlines how the viable systems model (VSM) can provide insights into a National System of Innovation by focussing on the necessary variety needed to match the system's changing external environment. Because an innovation system is more diffuse than a firm, the VSM needs to be described within an ‘ecological’ metaphor. This approach gives insights into the system's learning processes, showing that there can be a trade-off between variety and control for the system to maintain a fixed level of viability. Furthermore, for many innovation systemsthe coordination is ‘soft’; taking place through markets, through Government directions, and through relationships embodied in clusters, unions or industry groups, etc.Governments generally can only manage the system indirectly by facilitating the generation of the necessary variety, influencing strategic directions, filling gaps in the system and encouraging coordination. Societal or cultural innovations, such as new forms of citizen participation in decision-making, may well improve the viability of an innovation system. However, if these innovations are pursued for societal rather than economic purposes, they fall outside the usual definition of innovation within an NSI.     

企业规划与信息系统规划目标统一建模

目标统一性是企业规划和信息系统规划关系研究的核心内容之一。通过规划活动目标的一致性，企业可以整合有效资源，节约成本，实现高效运营。论文研究了面向目标的建模技术和思想，利用企业知识开发建模思路给出了目标统一的规划框架模型，并且在实现途径、方法等方面提供了解决方案。     

用平均法实现瞬态信号接收中的直达波抑制

在瞬态信号接收中,收发天线耦合(直达波)构成了主要干扰形式.去除直达波对表层穿透雷达(sur-face penetrating radar,SPR)系统的信号处理起着重要的作用.根据具体的SPR系统及其工作条件、信号处理的特定要求,采用平均抵消法去除直达波.理论分析与试验证明了该方法的有效性,同时对该方法在工程应用中的局限性进行了分析.     

不确定Liu混沌系统的动态面跟踪控制

针对一类含有常参数不确定性及外部干扰的Liu混沌系统的跟踪控制问题,采用动态面控制方法设计了一个新颖的非线性自适应鲁棒跟踪控制器。该方法由于在逆推设计过程中结合使用了一阶低通滤波器,从而避免了因“微分项的膨胀”而引起的算法复杂性。理论分析及仿真结果均表明所得到的控制器能够保证闭环系统的半全局渐近稳定,使得输出渐近期望跟踪轨迹,且对不确定性具有良好的适应性及鲁棒性。