International Society for the Systems Sciences: Journals ISSS
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VARIETY DYNAMICS: A NEW BODY OF SYSTEMS METHODS AND A NEW MATHEMATICAL FIELD FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF DYNAMICALLY COMPLEX AND HYPER-COMPLEX MULTI-ACTOR SYSTEMS
No full textThis paper provides an overview of the development of Variety Dynamics.
Variety Dynamics is an extensive body of theory and a new suite of systems methods to address the management and control of complex systems.
The development of Variety Dynamics includes: the development of a new mathematical field; the basis of a new approach to managing and controlling complex and hyper-complex systems; over 45 axioms for analysis and development of successful systems management decision-making; new and improved definitions of complex systems and hyper-complex systems; a complete replacement explanation of the phenomena and theories to date referred to as ‘wicked problems’ along with new approaches to address them; a formal explanation of the limitations of existing traditional systems methods and an explanation of why they fail; and, in short, a new foundation for the international systems sciences field.
The paper will first explain limitations of exiting systems methods and the centrality of different forms of prediction in all systems management and control activities pertaining to complex and hyper-complex systems. It will then outline the above elements of the Variety Dynamics field with examples from real world complex and hyper complex systems
A critical systems approach to conference organisation
No full textThe problem this research addresses is organising an academic conference to cater for stakeholders with various worldviews participants successfully. The task of organising the conference is often placed on an academic with a specific worldview who may fail to consider the limitations they impose on the conference direction. Churchmann's systems approach widens the conference organiser's perspective to ensure all stakeholders are considered. A holistic view of components and how they interact and influence each other is taken by modelling the conference organisation as an open system. The distinction between the 'involved' and the 'affected,' as proposed by Ulrich, is central to this work, requiring a witness to represent the conditioned reality of the affected. Conference organisers are challenged to review their assumptions and those of others involved to identify limitations and opportunities that may have been overlooked. Minimising the uncertainty surrounding the dynamic changes in different conference streams can ensure a conference's survival and growth. The research is practically demonstrated by analysing the objectives and components of the SAICSIT 2023 and ISSS 2023 conferences. Overall, this research highlights the importance of adopting a systems thinking approach to conference organisation to successfully incorporate many perspectives into their conference planning activity to cater to all participants
The Application of FMA to Automation Research
No full textProcess automation is a field of study which is rapidly emerging due to it’s rate of adoption across the world. With the rapid adoption rate, more research energy is being focused within the automation space. Due to the challenges that process automation aims to solve, the use of soft systems methodology (SSM), which focuses on understanding a problem situation, is a suitable approach to understanding the environment in which automation is being researched. Along with SSM, the FMA model (which helps researchers identify area of interest, methodology and framework of ideas) can be generalised enough to be used as a methodology within any automation-orientated research
Framing Semantic Data Warehousing from a Systems Perspective
No full textThe challenge associated with data warehousing has escalated in the era of big data with masses of fast-moving heterogeneous data sources. As organisations attempt to exploit an ever-growing complex and dynamic datasphere, traditional data warehousing practices seem to produce systems that are inflexible and unable to scale. In a dynamic world of flux and change, systemic process thinking provides an alternative paradigm from which to approach the data warehousing challenge. This paper provides a framing of semantic data warehousing from such a systems perspective. Semantic data warehousing involves data semantification – enriching data with its context and meaning – to achieve higher levels of automation and adaptability. The framing elucidates the inherent systems approach of incorporating semantic technologies and automated dimensionalisation in data warehousing. It provides a case for the data management community to appreciate and accept complexity and multiple perspectives, and to incorporate systemic process thinking and semantic relativism into data management practices
DIGITAL PHRENOLOGY: ALGORITHMS AND ETHICS FROM A SYSTEMS PERSPECTIVE
No full textDecisions made by machine learning algorithms have societal impacts, both good and bad. This study acknowledges the great good that machine learning algorithms contribute to society while also pointing out that there are negative im-pacts such as bias, discrimination and misrepresentation of data, etc. Algorithms often use either irrelevant or incomplete data to make life-changing determinations about certain groups of society. The algorithmic use of data that does not repre-sent the true or actual ability of individuals or groups of people leads to digital phrenology. When algorithms are designed and tested outside the real world, it may not be obvious that digital phrenology may be caused. The ethical conse-quences of this problem can be mitigated if algorithms are not viewed as separate from the world it is eventually deployed into. Therefore, a more holistic systems view of algorithms, including their ethical consequences, should be taken. The purpose of this paper is to show that digital phrenology exists and that, once de-ployed, algorithms become part of a societal system where ethical values cannot be ignored. Various efforts and approaches to mitigate the ethical concerns related to unethical algorithmic behaviour have either done well in raising awareness or produced promising results. However, very little attention has been given to the explicit use of ethical theories as a possible approach to alleviating the problem. Therefore, two major ethical theories are proposed to assess the ethicality of hypothetical machine learning scenarios. A critical analysis of related literature and case studies is central in this study's inquiry method. Results show the existence of digital phrenology. It also reveals how viewing algorithms as a single compo-nent of a larger societal system can give a better perspective on the possible ethi-cal consequences that arise from their use. This research contends that the use of ethical theories can contribute to addressing digital phrenology by viewing algo-rithms as one of many components in a larger system
EXPLORING THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF VISUAL ART: A PRACTITIONER-RESEARCHER'S JOURNEY TOWARDS SELF-REFLECTION
No full textThis paper explores how visual art can be utilised as a tool for reflection in the transformative learning process of the practitioner-researcher in chemistry education. It aims to explore the use of visual art as a means of self-reflection and self-transformation by the practitioner-researcher. The goal of this study was to explore the potential use of visual art as a complementary tool for facilitating personal growth and transformation, with a focus on a practitioner-researcher’s self-reflection and self-transformation in the context of chemistry education. The researcher used imaginative teaching practices in chemistry as a means of driving self-transformative learning. The study was guided by critical social theory, interpretivism, and a living theory approach within an action research methodology. As part of the reflective process, the researcher made use of pen and ink sketching as a means of self-reflection in her reflective visual diary. By conceptualising emotions and feelings in the form of detailed pen and ink artwork, the researcher was able to express, and visually represent thoughts and emotions in a more tangible and meaningful way. The process of sketching allowed the researcher to explore her inner world and to externalise inner dialogue in a way that traditional writing or verbal expression may not have allowed. Through this process, the researcher was able to better understand her own emotions and thought patterns, and in doing so, was able to drive her self-transformation. The detailed artwork in the reflective visual diary served as a visual reminder of the researcher’s growth and transformation throughout the study, providing a tangible representation of progress and a source of motivation to continue the journey towards self-improvement. Data was collected through two main action cycles, with sub-cycles addressing imaginative teaching, transformative learning, and personal reflection. The study highlights the potential of visual art as a complementary tool for facilitating personal growth and transformation, specifically in terms of the transformative learning theory as proposed by Jack Mezirow
Foreword for the 2023 Proceedings by Professor Roelien Goede
No full textThis file presents the content of these Proceedings and the aims and objectives of the 67th Meeting of the ISSS in South Africa.
There is a full description of our actiivities and presentations, and a list of the Editorial Committee who reviewed all papers
STORY TELLING TO FOSTER EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE , DISTRIBUTIVE LEADERSHSHIP AND MULTISPECIES RELATIONSHIPS
No full textMcIntyre-Mills J.J.[i] with Makaulule, M[ii]., Lethole, P[iii]., Pitsoane, E[iv]., Mabunda, B[v], Romm, N. [vi]
[i] Adjunct Prof Extraordinarius, University of South Africa and Adjunct Visiting Researcher, Adelaide University [email protected]
[ii] Univen (M.A) student, Leader: Dzomo ḽa Mupo Makaulule Mphaṱheleni <[email protected]>
[iii] "Lethole, Pat" <[email protected]> University of South Africa
[iv] "Pitsoane, Enid" <[email protected]>
[v] "Butshabelo Mabunda" <[email protected]>PGSA PGS body is PGS SAhttps://www.pgssa.org.za/
[vi] University of South Africa, Prof. Extraordinarius. [email protected]
The paper addresses a multispecies systemic approach to uniting indigenous knowledge systems with earth jurisprudence and wild law using a systemic approach to storytelling and a range of mixed methods to develop rapport and relationships with participants who are members of an ongoing community of practice. The focus of this paper is on process and the space we have co-created through relationality. Our members pool diverse ways of knowing and being to focus on social, economic and environmental praxis to support multiple species. Ontologically and epistemologically we apply co-leaning to our praxis, and axiologically we assume that all transformative interventions should enhance fairness, transparency, and accountability as a basis for our case studies on risk reduction and the enhancement of wellbeing. The problem we are exploring in a forthcoming volume is whether pilot projects that put in place the principles of earth jurisprudence and organic farming (in partnership with members of PGS and the Wild Law institute) can make a difference to social and environmental justice. Our multidisciplinary and cross cultural team draws on indigenous knowledge systems as well as many other ways of learning and knowing through respectful dialogue to address our area of concern. Success is bench marked in terms of establishing a co-operative, the growing number of social enterprises striving to comply with organic farming principles, tree planting, seed collections for an organic seed bank and the perceived social, economic and environmental indicators of wellbeing. Our relational methodology applies participatory action research and storytelling to draw out themes which are mapped to assess progress towards re-generative living . Turning points for the better are indicated by a revised version of the UNSDG with a focus not on growth but on creating a cyclical economy that protects people and their shared multispecies habitat. To date our community of practice has managed to grow the number of participants and partners and our next goal is to set up two seed banks, one at the coast and one inland in South Africa in two case study areas in the Cape and Limpopo. This paper reflects on the process and methodology
The 2 FEEDBACK LOOP AXIOM: WHY PARTICIPATORY SYSTEMS METHODS FAIL AND ARE INAPPROPRIATE FOR COMPLEX SYSTEM PROBLEMS
No full textIt has been widely assumed in systems disciplines and systems professional practices that there are no intrinsic limits on individuals’ abilities to mentally understand and address complex systems situations. This paper describes how this assumption is mistaken and the implication for systems research, systems science science, theories, methods, and practices
This paper identifies an explicit, biologically based cognitive bound on individuals’ abilities to mentally predict system behaviours and outcomes. It identifies this bound applies when system behaviours are shaped by two or more feedback loops.
The analysis develops through exploring the central and essential role of prediction in addressing system problems, understanding system behaviour, and managing complex systems situations. As part of this exploration, the author draws attention to the existence of a widely held individual subjective delusion that such a bound on predicting systems outcomes does not exist, and does not limit the ability of individuals to understand and predict behaviours and outcomes of such systems regardless of the evidence otherwise.
The author suggests the above faulty assumption and concurrent delusion has led to systems professionals and others mistakenly claiming to be able understand and make valid decisions about complex systems when they are physically unable to do so.
The implications of this 2-feedback loop limitation on human mental abilities to understand and managed impact several traditional assumptions of systems theories and practices. Firstly, this limitation on individuals’ abilities to mentally understand complex systems, and correctly predict systems behaviours when they derive from 2 or more feedback loops, means it is obviously of no advantage to ask multiple people, who are all incapable of understanding such system and predicting their behaviours if these are shaped by feedback loops beyond the 2-feedback loop boundary.
This, then, obviously defines a boundary on the validity and applicability of participatory and consultative systems methods that ask individuals or groups about their understandings and suggestions for interventions because participants biologically-based lack of ability to correctly predict means such methods are invalid beyond the 2-feedback loop boundary.
Secondly, for the above reason, it is suggested the two-feedback loop boundary provides a more appropriate basis for the definition of complex system and defines the boundary and difference between complex and merely complicated systems
Listening to the affected: Security in a Home Area Network
No full textWith the advent of smart appliances and objects, a smart home has never been this complex. Today’s homes are equipped with all kinds of smart objects capable of internet connectivity. Just a few years ago, a Home Area Network (HAN) only had personal computers and mobile devices making up the network. Today the picture is different, fridges, televisions, coffee machines, aircon, thermostats, and gate motors, just to name a few, are all now capable of communicating with each other and to the internet. This interconnectivity of various systems introduces a level of complexity to a HAN. For instance, these smart appliances and objects might be using different communication protocols, each manufacturer may implement security differently. With the lack of standardization when it comes to Internet of Things (IoT), this complexity opens up loopholes in the security of the smart home.
By looking at a smart home as a complex system made up of sub-systems that may impact the security of the whole network, systems thinking will be a suitable approach to address this problem. Systems thinking was developed as a means to address the complexity created by the interdependency of various systems, both existing and new ones.
In this paper, we propose addressing the data privacy issues of smart homes by looking at the problem from a systems thinking perspective. With this perspective in mind, we can address the security problems in a smart by looking at it as a complex system. We relate the smart home as a system to Churchman’s definition of a system as a set of parts coordinated to accomplish a set of goals. In this research, Critical Systems Thinking has been adopted as the preferred methodology for this research