International Society for the Systems Sciences: Journals ISSS
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Performance Evaluation System in Engineering Matters: Systematic and Theoretical Approach to Humanity
No full textAs the systematic approach to engineering matters, the performance evaluation system is proposed and examined theoretically by using the mathematical model. The systematic andtheoretical approach to humanity is described. In the long history of human activity, engineering, culture, tradition, customs, life style, language have been formed gradually based upon politics, economics, natural and social environments. In usual, facility (F) behaves and performs a certain interaction (I) under some environments (E). This general phenomenon (physics/chemistry) is due to nature law and also applied to general social phenomenon and human activity. Above F,E,I are considered to be primary elements of the basic system V(F,E,I).The performance of V(F,E,I) is evaluated as a result of phenomenon. As the rating index (p), five elements are defined: time(t), space(x),money(m), humanity(h), quality(q).The basic system V(F,E,I) is expressed in form of V(t,x,m,h,q) because of having the rating index built-in. The performance evaluation system is formulated by the mathematical model (partial differentiation form )of δV(F,E,I)/ δp.By using a model of the existing bridge, the basic systemV(F,E,I) of steel bridge and theirperformance evaluation are simulated by the mathematical model. Facility F, environment E and interaction I elements of the basic system V(F,E,I) of the steel bridge are organized and each hierarchy is built in detail. They are closely related to the description/articles of the specification in edit and design use. The methodology of constitution and systematization of the specification is proposed. The sample bridge has been awarded as one of the best bridge of the year by JSCE in 2012. The performance evaluation clarifies why it is worthwhile and selected. Systematic approach to engineering matters and humanity are discussed. As the two-dimensional（X,Y）problem, the expression method of block diagram is described. The X-Y axes should be orthogonally designated by independent phenomenon each other. Based upon the nature law, Pareto distribution and the potential energy reserved theory, three problems are examined; 1)Risk management, regional disasters control, 2)Fracture/fatigue problems of the shear panel dampers and 3) The PM (performance/maintenance) theory of human activity.Keywords: performance evaluation system, rating index, primary/secondary evaluation, bridge system, nature law, potential energy reserved theor
Systemic Complementarity in Tourist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Considering the Socio-Ecological System
No full textIn Mexican context, the tourism sector has prioritized the income generation, without consider social and ecological dimensions and the impact on ecosystems and social inequality. Characterizing tourist Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), some aspects are identified such as heterogeneity, absence of international standards as well as the inability to cope the disruption of the environment.This paper proposes to implement the systemic complementarity concept as an alternative to bring closer the tourist MSMEs to the exelixis considering the socio-ecological system, in which it operates. The methodological approach is carried out through the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), given that this methodology allows considering the subjectivity and complexity in problematic situations integrating relevant actors.Regarding the findings a conceptual model is proposed based on a associative transformation among MSMEs emphasizing the use of variety, considering its integration. Also, this model seeks to provide emergent properties to the whole system that determine internal functioning and amplify capacities to transcend in its current context. <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Col
Foregrounding Critical Systemic and Indigenous Ways of Collective Knowing towards (Re)Directing the Anthropocene
No full textThis paper begins with the understanding that the global commons is under threat. In the light hereof I consider why it is important to appreciate Indigenous styles of collectively-oriented knowing, where selves are understood as “selves-in-relation” to one another and to all living and non-living things, as part of the web of life. I suggest that often accounts of the Anthropocene (as proposed by various authors postulating this concept) do not accentuate how the forcefulness of human impact on the world (by virtue of humans manipulating and extracting resources) can be regarded as rooted in Western-oriented supposedly rational styles of knowing and calculating, which to date have been historically dominant. This approach to knowing and being-in-the-world is ill-equipped to incorporate a conception of our existing as humans in relation to others, including to all that exists. Indigenous thinking as expounded by various Indigenous authors across the globe (which I define as I proceed with the paper) starts with the premise of connectivity of life forces, and therefore with the assumption that we, as humans, are called upon to play a responsible role in our caring for each other and for the earth. Working in terms of the notion of care does not mean that we are less rational, but on the contrary that we recognize that our existence is contingent on our supporting, and being supported by others (including non-living entities). This in turn implies an attitude of respecting how “individual” well-being is a function of the well-being of the whole. Based on these considerations, I propound in the paper that planetary stewardship should not be envisaged as applicable only now that we have entered the epoch named by some as the Anthropocene, where the human power to manipulate the environment has become a global geological force in its own right. Instead, we need to question the way in which this power has hitherto been used, and the (dominant) worldview that enabled the use of such power as a manipulative enterprise. Such questioning allows us to reconsider the values in terms of which the Anthropocene can be approached, by taking on board—and indeed foregrounding—Indigenous views, and bases, of stewardship. The paper concludes with some considerations of how diverse knowledge systems can be brought into communication/integrated towards enhanced ecosystem governance
Using Critical Systems Thinking in Emancipatory Postgraduate Supervision
No full textPostgraduate study is a partnership between supervisor and student. The nature of this relationship is mainly guided by the supervision approach followed by the supervisor. Identified approaches include: Functional supervision, enculturation, critical thinking, emancipation, and developing a quality relationship. It is argued in this paper that this list is not mutually exclusive but rather distinctive goals of supervision of postgraduate students. The aim of this paper is to present the structure of an action research project aimed at creating guidelines for emancipatory supervision. The participatory action research (AR) method used in this study has five phases: diagnosis; action planning; action taking; evaluation of success; and specifying learning. This paper focusses on the diagnosis and action planning phases of the action research project. Critical systems heuristics developed by Werner Ulrich is used to guide the diagnosis process. Critical systems heuristics is used as a tool for participants to articulate their views on how supervision should be done and what the goals thereof should be. The paper presents findings from the diagnosis process representative of the student and supervisor views on their experiences of supervision. A total of ten students and supervisors took part in interpretive interviews. Interview questions were guided by critical systems heuristics and literature on constructivism. The qualitative data collected was analysed using interpretive content analysis. From the findings of the interviews and results of a literature review a plan for taking action is developed to develop a flexible process described by guidelines for supervision of postgraduate students. Although the implementation and evaluation of the guidelines and resulting process are outside the scope of the paper, reflection is done on the applicability of the chosen framework of understanding for the development of a methodology to achieve the desired goals of postgraduate supervision
The Anthropocene Problem as an Axiological Desequilibrium
No full textWhat does it mean that we have an anthropocene problem in the world?. It means that the value of “Conservation of Nature” or the “ecological problem”, is underperformed in relation with other goals of society. But the real problem is that an adequate conservation of nature depend of the rest of the universal human values that inevitable are associated with it. Which are these values?. According with a certain Reference Pattern of Universal Values (RPUV) are the following nine: Health, Wealth, Security, Knowledge, Freedom, Distributive Justice, Conservation of Nature; Quality of Activities, and Moral Prestige. Among these goals of society there is always a dialectical relationship where a better performance of the value “Conservation of Nature” may lead to a decrease of Freedom, Wealth and other values. That is why to imagine any kind of solution for the anthropocene problem can be only seen as related to the other values
Knowledge Transfer as a Rational Choice: A Decision Theoretic Characterization
No full textThis paper presents a game theoretical framework to analyze the possibility of knowledge transfer about a game structure. We study, under asymmetric awareness of two agents in a game, what kind of knowledge can, or cannot, be transferred from one agent who has more knowledge to the other agent with restricted knowledge prior to playing the game. Such situations are generally characterized as a particular class of a recently developed framework of extensive-form games with unawareness and analyzed with the solution concept called rationalizability. We show some properties of such games and example analysis. Also we discuss some ideas to incorporate, in a more general way, inferences of the agents about knowledge transfer under asymmetric awareness
Emancipating Transformations: from Anthropocene control to culturing systems
No full textCurrent global environmental governance reverberates with talk of a new 'Anthropocene epoch' defined by 'human domination', in which a 'perfect storm' of catastrophic threats is seen to force a singular 'great transition' towards 'Earth systems management'. The advent of this new discourse raises particular questions for how systems-based understandings can best inform policy making. A key theme in this new governance movement, is the emphasis on 'control'. Under a growing mood of 'environmental authoritarianism', humanity is conceived "as a self conscious control force that has conquered the planet" and with a destiny to "take control of Nature's realm". And it is Earth systems theories that are relied upon to help take charge of the 'control variables of the Earth'. But what these moves also reflect, are the longstanding priorities attached by powerful incumbent interests to exactly these kinds of rhetorics of control. Indeed, democracy itself presents an early target. Increasingly portrayed as a 'failure', a 'luxury', or even 'an enemy of Nature', leading figures argue for democracy to be 'put on hold'. With systems approaches apparently leaving no room for argument, there seems 'no alternative' but compliance - or irrational denial and existential doom. Yet there are alternative ways to address the gravity of current ecological and social imperatives. It can be recognised, for instance, that democratic struggle is the principal means by which knowledges and practices of Sustainability were shaped in the first place. In this view, concentrated power and fallacies of control are more problems than solutions. Here, history shows the greatest ongoing forms of transformative progress (like release from colonialism, racism or patriarchy), to owe more to plural knowledges and values and unruly hope-inspired agonistic contention, than to single orderly technical 'transitions' based on deterministic notions of systems science or fear-driven structured control. Like other great progressive struggles of history, radical shifts in grassroots culture and anarchically choreographed flocking behaviours in nature, the most effective modes for radical change often lie in spontaneous bottom-up collective action. These do not depend on rigidly disciplined 'integrated science' and monolithically-structured 'planetary management'. So, relations between human systems and natural systems are defined more by co-evolutionary processes of mutual culturing than control. It is in helping to understand, highlight and explore these contrasting modalities of distributed social and ecological coordination that enlightened forms of systems theory may offer special contributions.  
Towards a Systemic Evaluation for Graduate Academic Programs in Mexico
No full textThe level of development of quality life reached by a country is directly related to the quality level of the higher education offered in its institutions and universities. Particularly the quality of Doctorate programs where research and innovations are promoted, the results can be demonstrated by reviewing the research papers published in international journals, and the registered patents which eventually become goods or services that allow more welfare for the population among others. In Mexico, the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT) is the responsible to guarantee the quality of graduate programs by the means of a periodical evaluation program, but it has been identified that such evaluation is very subjective, and therefore CONACyT along with other Government Institutions are in the process of acquiring abilities in order to perform a better evaluation system for Graduate and Postgraduate education in Mexico. The literature review on systemic evaluation showed that most of the papers reviewed so far, focus mainly on the design of evaluation methodologies for industrial processes in which the quality is defined very well, according to the features of the inputs that go through a standard process producing a standard output. But none of the reviewed papers mentioned which are the main quality attributes in the case of academic evaluations. This shows the need to develop a more appropriate evaluation methodology for Postgraduate education in Mexico. The evaluation methodology can be designed based on a systemic approach with an anthropocentric perspective since they are sociotechnical systems in which human interaction is a very important element. Also, the methodology can include the systemic attributes required to consider an academic program pertinent from an anthropocentric perspective
A Call to Action for the Systems Sciences Community
No full textThe world’s systems scientists are crucial knowledge holders in this anthropocene era. This paper will put forth a deep call to action to the systems community. It is vital in this time that members of this community put themselves on more influential platforms, speaking in more audible ways. The message must be about what this community can see about the degradation of the living organism that is our earth, and what must happen in order to enable its survival. This paper frames the systems community as keepers of vital wisdom about the macro effects of how the earth has been altered by humans. We will argue that such macro-level understanding must be joined with regional and local level meaning-making processes and actions already underway across the globe; it must inform those initiatives and be informed by them. As important, micro-level activities must have more ways to inform and influence macro level perspectives on how human activity is responding to the imperatives of the anthropocene. We will argue that this call to action is a call to develop fields of attraction – visible, plausible alternatives to the human behaviours that, in aggregate, jeopardize the likelihood that our future can be one wherein we can thrive. We propose there must be attractors with a wide variety of design paths, presented as narratives that invite and entice participation. We will examine obstacles that members of the systems community face in taking up a call to action like this, along with ways to meet those obstacles, clearing the path to greater participation by systems experts in rising to the realities of life in the anthropocene age
Combining system dynamics modeling with other methods: A systematic review
No full textAlthough a significant number of system dynamics (SD) studies draw on multi-method approaches, there is not much knowledge on when and how SD is combined with other methods. Yet, combining SD with other methods allows both researchers and practitioners to enhance the contribution of their modeling work. For a comprehensive review of current SD multi-method practices, this paper draws on an assessment of 45 studies that used SD modeling along with at least one other method. We adopt an evidence-based systematic approach in reviewing these studies and find that additional methods can be embedded in two main phases in the SD modeling process: conceptualization and simulation. Our review contributes to the multi-methodology research practice by consolidating one of the main areas where substantial experience in combining methods has been obtained. In addition, this paper provides insights and a reference point for system dynamicists who wish to go beyond stand-alone SD modeling in addressing complex problems. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research in this area