76,940 research outputs found
Relevance of Dynamic Clustering to Biological Networks
Network of nonlinear dynamical elements often show clustering of
synchronization by chaotic instability. Relevance of the clustering to
ecological, immune, neural, and cellular networks is discussed, with the
emphasis of partially ordered states with chaotic itinerancy. First, clustering
with bit structures in a hypercubic lattice is studied. Spontaneous formation
and destruction of relevant bits are found, which give self-organizing, and
chaotic genetic algorithms. When spontaneous changes of effective couplings are
introduced, chaotic itinerancy of clusterings is widely seen through a feedback
mechanism, which supports dynamic stability allowing for complexity and
diversity, known as homeochaos. Second, synaptic dynamics of couplings is
studied in relation with neural dynamics. The clustering structure is formed
with a balance between external inputs and internal dynamics. Last, an
extension allowing for the growth of the number of elements is given, in
connection with cell differentiation. Effective time sharing system of
resources is formed in partially ordered states.Comment: submitted to Physica D, no figures include
The Co-Evolution of Sustainable Development and Environmental Justice: Cooperation, Then Competition, Then Conflict
This article explores sustainable development and environmental justice as potentially conflicting policy goals. Sustainable development includes equity as one of its five dimensions (in addition to environment, economy, time, and space), whereas environmental justice focuses principally on equity. Over time there is likely to be an increasing number of contexts in which sustainability-based policy solutions do not satisfy environmental justice advocates
Darwinism, probability and complexity : market-based organizational transformation and change explained through the theories of evolution
The study of transformation and change is one of the most important areas of social science research. This paper synthesizes and critically reviews the emerging traditions in the study of change dynamics. Three mainstream theories of evolution are introduced to explain change: the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest, the Probability model and the Complexity approach. The literature review provides a basis for development of research questions that search for a more comprehensive understanding of organizational change. The paper concludes by arguing for the development of a complementary research tradition, which combines an evolutionary and organizational analysis of transformation and change
World Community: Searching for a Global Cosmology
Every culture in history has had a cosmology, a myth about origins. Such cosmologies provide societal and religious structure, ethics, and morals. Driven by mass communication, humanity is rapidly moving toward a world community. Individual cultures have been increasingly thrown into conflict, causing fear and defensive reactions. Global humanity needs what no culture has ever been without: a unifying cosmology. Many who are seeking fruitful dialogue between faith and science have become intimately involved in searching for such a cosmology. In the same spirit, others seek a more productive interfaith dialogue. Complex-systems approaches and process thinking may provide a model for both
Integrating diversity management initiatives with strategic human resource management
Managing diversity is usually viewed in broad conceptual terms as recognising
and valuing differences among people; it is directed towards achieving organisational
outcomes and reflects management practices adopted to improve the effectiveness of
people management in organisations (Kramar 2001; Erwee, Palamara & Maguire 2000).
The purpose of the chapter is to examine the debate on how diversity management
initiatives can be integrated with strategic human resource management (SHRM),
and how SHRM is linked to organisational strategy. Part of this debate considers
to what extent processes associated with managing diversity are an integral part
of the strategic vision of management. However, there is no consensus on how a
corporate strategic plan influences or is influenced by SHRM, and how the latter
integrates diversity management as a key component.
The first section of the chapter addresses the controversy about organisations as
linear, steady state entities or as dynamic, complex and fluid entities. This
controversy fuels debate in the subsequent sections about the impact that such
paradigms have on approaches to SHRM. The discussion on SHRM in this chapter will
explore its links to corporate strategy as well as to diversity management.
Subsequent sections propose that managing diversity should address sensitive topics
such as gender, race and ethnicity. Finally, attention is given to whether an
integrative approach to SHRM can be achieved and how to overcome the obstacles
to making this a reality
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