International Society for the Systems Sciences: Journals ISSS
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The Challenge of Complexity in Society: Meaning Making at the Edge of Chaos
No full textThe pressing social problems we have are demanding that we build our capacity for meaning making to address them effectively. Meaning making at the edge of chaos is the type of meaning making we engage in when our current worldview is profoundly challenged by new information and experiences and, when the world is complex and chaotic, we are continually challenged and disoriented. This paper introduces the concept of meaning making at the edge of chaos and its theoretical basis in transformative learning theory, logotherapy, constructive developmental theory, complexity theory, chaos theory, and complex adaptive systems. In particular, it focuses on the concepts of disorienting dilemma, critical reflection, and the components of a meaning system derived from transformative learning theory. From logotherapy, it draws on the notions of will-to-meaning, meaning of life, and freedom of will. This paper includes the theory of the socialized, self-authoring, and self-transforming minds from constructive developmental theory. Finally, the concepts of nonlinearity, self-organization, emergence, learning, adaption, the butterfly effect, dissipative structures, and far-from-equilibrium are some key aspects from the world of complexity. These theories are integrated and form the basis for a model of meaning making at the edge of chaos
Expecting the Unexpected - Coping with Crisis
No full textIn this paper we identify the different ways of reacting to the impacts of disasters. We stress the advantage of pro-actively fighting disasters by means of appropriate preparation and intervention. Two of the most important support strategies are Anticipation and Crisis Science used in combination and supported by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). Based on the 5 phases of Disaster Management we identify essential activities to be performed before, during and after a disaster and point to the necessary application of Crisis Science
Analysis of Global Quality Indicators in the National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico
No full textThe public education of quality can mitigate educational differences between rich and poor families, according the report of United Nations about Human Development in 2014. The Human Development Index (HDI) is an index that measures the achievements of a country in three basic dimensions of human development: 1) A long and healthy Life, 2) Access to education and knowledge and 3) Dignified standard of life.The same report states that primary and secondary education worldwide remains at acceptable progress but in higher education levels there are large gaps between developed countries and those it in developing.Derived of policy national and institutional in education of Mexico, quality indicators involve various parameters within which highlighted, approval rating, the reproof rate and the desertion rate; although these rates are not the best way to measure the quality that exists in the process of educational training.It has been observed that ethics and responsibility of all stakeholders in the education system of this level have an influence unfavorably on the values presented by the mentioned parameters.This research attempts to find relation between educational performance and the behavior of the actors involved in the educational system; employing, a systemic methodology that allows us to evaluate the problem and contributing to the resolution of a holistically
"Bringing Forth" the Ecological Economy
No full textThis paper looks at aspects of the development of Ecological Economic theory through the lens of second-order cybernetics. Ecological Economics aims to integrate Ecological and Economic disciplines while maintaining their distinction. This is required for the concept of “scale” which relates the size of the ecosystem with the size of the economy. Beyond the dynamic and complicated nature of these systems; this task is also conceptually difficult. How can the ecosystem be part of the economy but also distinct from it? How can the economic system be part of the ecosystem and also distinct? Which is the correct framing? While Ecological Economics was conceived in the era of “open systems” and “sub-systems”, second order systems theory may shed light on the paradoxes which naturally arise from this perspective. As second-order systems theory would suggest, this fundamental paradox of observation results in a circularity. This circularity can be illustrated by attempts within Ecological Economics to generate definitions of sustainability; most notoriously through valuation of ecosystem services but also within alternative social and ecologically based models. It may be possible to embrace this circularity and seek an “operational closure”. In the process of considering this, I reflect on my experience in studying Ecological Economics and Second-Order Cybernetics. 
TECHNOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE COMPETENCES FOR ENTREPRENEURS: A KEY FACTOR TO BOOST THE NUMBER OF SCIENCE-BASED STARTUPS
No full textThis article explores how the development of technological surveillance competences in entrepreneurs can foster the increase in number of startups based on hard sciences and disruptive technologies rather than internet-based applications in Argentina. This analysis was done from an empirical perspective, using secondary sources of information and interviews with experts of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Argentina, academic directors of entrepreneurial programs and entrepreneurs. The article is structured as follows: initially, a startup's database analysis was performed based on the report of Tecnolatinas Research and venture capital databases. As a result, emerged the low percentage of science- based startups in Argentina and Latin America compared with the internet-based ones. A list of the most relevant science-based startups from Argentina was developed.Several factors emerged as possible contributors to the situation: i) level of interaction between Academia and entrepreneurs; ii) level of Technological Surveillance training of entrepreneurs; iii) level of Technology transference from Academia to entrepreneurial ecosystems and; iv) level of interdisciplinarity inside Academia. Among all of the surveyed factors, the level of Technology Surveillance training of entrepreneurs was considered very relevant for being considered strategic. A research of the main programs and courses about entrepreneurship in Argentina was conducted, showing the absence of the technological surveillance subject in almost all of them. Finally, a set of findings are discussed and presented together with potential areas for further considerations and implementation
Ingenieros Sin Fronteras, Colombia: Improvement of the Water Quality in the Community of Santa Isabel de Potosi
No full textSanta Isabel rural community is located between the municipalities of Guasca and La Calera in Colombia; it was composed of different stakeholders that coexist around the “El Asilo” creek. The people collect water from this water source for consumption and daily use. The water comes from Chingaza moorland, one of top three of water generation ecosystems in the country. Given the close relationship between the community and the ecological system, the environmental damage of this creek has generated big problems in health and quality of life of the inhabitants. Through joint work with the community was proposed a project called "Improvement of the quality of water in the community of Santa Isabel de Potosi". The group with the community is nowadays performing an analysis based on community-based decision-making taking into account the possible alternatives that could be implemented in order of diminishing in some percentage the impact of the issue and this way try to avoid the complete deterioration of the brook and the ecosystems in the area. Among the alternatives of intervention these are found: generation of a new method of community cooperation in behalf of the sanitation of the brook and the implementation of homemade filters in the improvement of the quality of the drinking water.This paper presents the analysis of the problem taking into account different points of view such as the environmental as well as the organizational one, highlighting the fact that this is not an isolated issue but an evidence of the possible environmental disaster that Colombia could live if nothing is done at the right time. Also this paper presents how engineering and work with the communities has been able to define the guidelines of intervention that are going to allow the next stage of the project, putting in practice the solutions proposed in behalf of a better quality of life
Complementarist Approach to Categorize different Stakeholders within Socio-technical Systems
No full textSocio-technical systems is a systems approach to understanding complex systems when interactions between humans and technology are dominant. Thus, the term socio-technical relates to the relationship between complex human activity systems and the technical infrastructure that governs the nature of the system. Socio-technical systems typically have multiple stakeholders, either in charge of systemic development, governing the system, or being affected (directly or indirectly) by it. Thus, in order to understand a socio-technical system, it is important to understand the different roles the stakeholders have within the system of interest. This research contributes in providing a complementarist and pluralist approach in recognizing the roles of stakeholders within socio-technical systems and categorizing them by introducing a formative taxonomy flexible for any socio-technical system, dependent on its context and purpose. Critical systems thinking and boundary critique are utilized as a foundation for categorizing stakeholders, while the onion model along with soft system methodology are used to delineate the stratified spheres of influence each stakeholder category has on the system. Even though, the obligations vary across the different systems context and purposes, the proposed flexible approach is expected to be beneficial to system thinkers and analysts in realization, recognition and categorization of stakeholders within socio-technical systems.
A PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF CRITICAL SYSTEMS THINKING TO IMPROVE A BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM’S BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
No full textEfficacious decision-making requires relevant, intelligible information. Organisations implement data warehousing/business intelligence systems to provide required information timeously for improved decision-making capabilities. Unfortunately, more than half of these systems fail. Data warehousing/business intelligence systems are multi-faceted and have a technical as well as social dimension. Failure to incorporate these systems’ social dimensions lead to low adoption rates and, ultimately, failure of these systems.The critical systems thinking paradigm is founded on the idea of emancipation through methodological pluralism and critical awareness. The total systems intervention strand of critical systems thinking embraces pluralism, i.e. the idea that different methodologies, from different paradigms, can be applied during different phases of interventions, to enrich the ultimate solution. This study applies an action research approach to incorporate critical systems thinking principles, operationalised by total systems intervention, to critically reflect and choose a suitable methodology whereby to elicit a richer set of business requirements.This paper starts by introducing and motivating the study. It then discusses the theoretical concepts of the study, i.e. action research, business requirements elicitation and the critical systems thinking strand that is total systems intervention. The remainder of the paper is structured according to the action research phases, i.e. diagnosis, action planning, action taking, evaluation and specification of learning
Systems Approach: Concept Proposal to Develop Saudi Arabia Low-Complexity -Defense-Spare-Parts Manufacturing Industries, Utilizing Technology Transfers and Business Incubator
No full textThe overall goal of this projects is to adopt and build on three of the Saudi vision 2030 “thriving economy” theme third-level objectives that include (1) Localize military industry, (2) Nurture and support the innovation & entrepreneurship culture, and (3) Grow SME contribution to the economy. One of the very important initiatives of the adopted “thriving economy theme to our area of concentration is planning to grow the economy by manufacturing half of the defense needs within the Kingdom, with the intention to offset the economy, keep more resources in Saudi Arabia and to create more job opportunities for its citizens”.The main research question explores how to develop a conceptual model to demonstrate how innovative technological initiatives contribute to localized military equipment manufacturing technology.The research process includes creating a conceptual model meant to assist with the development of low-complexity-defense-spare-parts manufacturing industries, utilizing technology transfer and a business incubator. The model will include (1) adopting a Systems Approach to better understand the nature and the scope of the problem statement (2) developing a Conceptual Model for high volume, low mix, low complex spare parts manufacturing industries that will contribute to the national defense industrial sector, (3) investigating the adequacy and limitations of the Innovative Concept, (4) validating the model by analyzing the alignment of the concept with the systems methodological strategy. This project utilizes an applied research (often called action research) as its methodology. This methodology applies a systems approach and related systems thinking to ensure a holistic understanding of the nature of the problem statement. The literature review bodies clustered beneath the category of “Technology and Innovation Management” and addresses classifications of the major approaches to the issue of localizing the defense manufacturing industry. Moreover, the literature review in the field of innovation, technology transfers and Systems Science have been analyzed.While this project is still ongoing, the hypothesis of this conceptual framework will address the need to develop a flexible model that contributes to the current and future challenges as there is a lack of an adequate model to guide Saudi government on how to develop the SME defence manufacturing industries in order to become aligned with their country’s vision 2030
Toward a System Type Structure
No full textA system can only be understood holistically. If our goal is to understand systems we must develop holistic descriptions. That conclusion seems inescapable. Systems occur naturally in hierarchies and interact with a context consisting mostly of other system hierarchies. Systems reside in large, highly interoperating networks, meaning that a truly holistic view of a system has no clear outer limit. The great complexity and scope of such systems present a barrier to reaching a holistic view. Surmounting this barrier should be a goal of systems thinking. Starting from a system of interest and working upward and outward is not the only possible approach. A system influences its parts as well as vice-versa. Complementary to a bottom-up approach from a system of interest is a top-down approach starting with a large encompassing system. All systems are part of the universe, about which much is now known. A top-down approach could start by examining the universe as a whole in terms of the types of systems it contains and how they are related. Indeed, the universe constitutes the ultimate whole. Starting with the whole, even a distant and immense whole, seems especially appropriate when seeking wholeness. Of course, the universe can never be described in full detail, but it could be described from a systems perspective in a way that would facilitate all other system inquiries. The universe embodies the general architecture and ground rules for the integration of all systems. Eventually top-down development and the many bottom-up inquiries would meet, enabling pieces of the puzzle to fall into place. Much valuable systems knowledge is available but it is highly fragmented. Unification is the only remedy for fragmentation. A single top-down approach would provide unification in the form of a common framework and dialect into which all other knowledge can be fit and made coherent. The universe is coherent; otherwise science could never succeed. The fact that our descriptions are not coherent must be the fault of our descriptions not of reality. Hence, in principle they can be fixed and a common coherent description developed. This paper addresses a universal holistic view through a global system type structure. The type structure is represented in the form of a Unified Modeling Language (UML) generalization-specialization hierarchy, a well-proven approach. System thinkers have repeatedly called for a comprehensive system classification, but to my knowledge none exists. The notion of a system is extremely general and so has a great many variants. Many definitions of particular system types and partial type structures exist, but no comprehensive, coherent structure. A coherent universe must allow a coherent description given the right approach; here we consider one. A global system type structure is an incomplete and insufficient holistic description but it provides a good starting point. This paper addresses both a preliminary system type structure and the kind of approach needed to develop and perfect it. It also calls for collaboration to go forward with the project