Incorporating collateral information using an adaptive management framework for the regulation of transgenic crops:

"A lack of data often makes biological management decisions difficult and has been an area of contention in the debate over the approval of transgenic crops. Our knowledge of agricultural and natural systems is limited and our ability to gain additional information, quickly and effectively, is often handicapped by statistical complexity. To adequately cope with this requires new approaches and models that integrate decision-making and management. This paper describes one possible approach to the integration of decision-making and management, which may have application for the regulatory approval of transgenic crops. In many situations countries wishing to approve transgenic crops will have limited data on the environmental performance of the crop. The approach outlined in this paper looks at how related information, possibly collected from other countries, might be used to help inform decisions about the approval of transgenic crops. This is done within an integrated decision-making and management framework." Authors' AbstractTransgenic plants, Collateral data, Bayesian theory, Inference,

Integration and implementation sciences: building a new specialization

Developing a new specialization—Integration and Implementation Sciences—may be an effective way to draw together and significantly strengthen the theory and methods necessary to tackle complex societal issues and problems. This paper presents an argument for such a specialization, beginning with a brief review of calls for new research approaches that combine disciplines and interact more closely with policy and practice. It posits that the core elements of Integration and Implementation Sciences already exist, but that the field is currently characterized by fragmentation and marginalization. The paper then outlines three sets of characteristics that will delineate Integration and Implementation Sciences. First is that the specialization will aim to find better ways to deal with the defining elements of many current societal issues and problems: namely complexity, uncertainty, change, and imperfection. Second is that there will be three theoretical and methodological pillars for doing this: 1) systems thinking and complexity science, 2) participatory methods, and 3) knowledge management, exchange, and implementation. Third, operationally, Integration and Implementation Sciences will be grounded in practical application, and generally involve large-scale collaboration. The paper concludes by examining where Integration and Implementation Sciences would sit in universities, and outlines a program for further development of the field. An appendix provides examples of Integration and Implementation Sciences in action

Interprofessional Pharmacology Based Simulation

Literature indicates that when entering the workforce, the graduate nurse is underprepared to apply pharmacological theory to manage medications safely (Banning, 2003, Cordeau, 2010, Meechan, Jones, & Valler-Jones, 2011). The registered nurses’ (RN) knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) of safe medication management, including the theoretical application of pharmacology and the ability to communicate with interprofessional team members is necessary to assure positive patient outcomes, particularly in an environment where complexity continues to increase (Garbee et al., 2013; Meechan et al., 2011). This project is an innovative approach to embed an applied learning activity addressing safe medication management and interprofessional communication in one undergraduate nursing program in the upper Midwest

International cooperation for developmen: Design of a competence-based model for managing programmes and projects

Managing international cooperation for development projects is a complex task that involves technical, political, socio-economic and cultural variables. The technical, contextual and performance competences of those who manage these kinds of projects must take this complexity as their starting point and tackle it with all their accumulated experience to decide what actions need to be carried out. This research includes an analysis of the theory and application of the project management methodologies currently used by development organisations; an analysis that takes a critical look at the success or failure of development interventions, assessing the components of competences and the essential skills for project managers. It also examines how proposals for cooperation project management methodology are drawn up, specifi c training programmes in this area, the coordination between players, and knowledge management, with the purpose of enhancing the impact of development intervention

Friend and foe: factors influencing the movement of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori along the parasitism-mutualism continuum.

Understanding the transition of bacterial species from commensal to pathogen, or vice versa, is a key application of evolutionary theory to preventative medicine. This requires working knowledge of the molecular interaction between hosts and bacteria, ecological interactions among microbes, spatial variation in bacterial prevalence or host life history, and evolution in response to these factors. However, there are very few systems for which such broad datasets are available. One exception is the gram-negative bacterium, Helicobacter pylori, which infects upwards of 50% of the global human population. This bacterium is associated with a wide breadth of human gastrointestinal disease, including numerous cancers, inflammatory disorders, and pathogenic infections, but is also known to confer fitness benefits to its host both indirectly, through interactions with other pathogens, and directly. Outstanding questions are therefore why, when, and how this bacterium transitions along the parasitism-mutualism continuum. We examine known virulence factors, genetic predispositions of the host, and environmental contributors that impact progression of clinical disease and help define geographical trends in disease incidence. We also highlight the complexity of the interaction and discuss future therapeutic strategies for disease management and public health in light of the longstanding evolutionary history between the bacterium and its human host

An interpretive framework for complexity in IT projects

University of Technology Sydney. Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building.This research was prompted by the continuous failure rate in IT system implementation projects, in one of the largest telecommunication organisations in Australia where the researcher was working as a program manager. There was a consensus among the project management professionals that the human condition experienced by the role of a project manager has severe social implications. This research study is a response to the concern expressed in the project management community that existing project management methodologies are limited by their unduly normative and mechanistic approach. Research in project management has confirmed that the conventional project definition is not inclusive of the social dimension and attempts to measure the project's success in simplistic terms, using scope, time and cost as parameters. Failing to recognise the inherent complexity (Murray 2000, p. 34) in IT projects is one of the prime reasons why many projects are considered failures. Recent research directions in project management have shown an urgent need to develop theories from project environment to reflect the complexity of projects. (Cicmil & Hodgson 2006; Cicmil et al. 2006; Kwak & Anbari 2009; So'derlund 2004; Williams 1999 ; Winter, Smith, Morris, et al. 2006). In recent management publications of repute, the application of complexity theory principles has been widely suggested as an effective way to deal with organisational complexities (Sullivan 2011). Complexity theory has also drawn the attention of scholars and practitioners in the project management community. Emerging trends in project management research point to treating projects as complex adaptive systems (Austin et al. 2002; Harkema 2003; Milosevic 1989; Pundir, Ganapathy & Sambandam 2007; Whitney & Daniels 2013; Whitty & Maylor 2009) learning and temporary organisations (Lundin & Söderholm 1995; Packendorff 1995; Turner & Müller 2003) and organisational techno-social processes (Small & Walker 2012). A simple inquiry, namely, 'Can complexity theory principles be used to understand the projects better?' led to this research. Based on the literature review two primary research questions were formed: 1. What are the factors believed to cause complexity in IT projects? 2. How does human interaction engender social complexity in IT projects? Given the explorative nature of this research, a ‘constructionist’ research paradigm with participant observer mode was adopted (Guba & Lincoln 1994; Strauss & Corbin 1990a; Strauss 1998). For more than two years, detailed data was collected in a large telecommunication organisation. Qualitative data analysis techniques, such as context analysis and grounded theory principles (coding and memo), were applied to narratives and observations collected in a case project. In order to answer the research question, ‘What are the factors believed to be causing complexity in IT projects?’ a practitioner’s definition of complexity was elicited through extensive interviews in the telecommunication organisation. The complexity factors in the real environment as experienced and perceived by practitioners were listed, analysed and classified. It became evident that the practitioner’s view of complexity differs from a mathematical definition of complexity: the practitioner’s is born of their experience. The practitioners mentioned such characteristics as ‘uncertainty’, ‘unprecedented’, and 'unexpected’ to identify a project situation as 'complex’. However, the demarcation between complicated and complex was not distinguishable in practitioners’ perception or understanding of complexity. The classification followed a typology of complexity factors found in the literature review: technological, structural, directional and temporal (Remington & Pollack 2007a). The research has revealed that environmental, directional, temporal (time) and social complexities are prevalent; they are experienced mostly in comparison to technical and structural complexity and are contrary to the general belief that IT projects are complex due to technological factors. It was found that complexity originates in three layers: the product, the project (organisational process) and the social. The research participants believed that not all situations in a project manifest complexity, but a few situations exhibit inherent complexity and it is experienced in spurts. As a result of this analysis, a construct called ‘tipping point’ has been proposed to refer to these atypical project situations in this research. A tipping point is defined as a state where projects experience chaos, conflict, contest and decision-making, and external intervention is required. When I cross-validated this construct with the research participants, they concluded that the number and frequency of tipping points were indicative of the level of complexity the project stakeholders were experiencing. This research presents the analysis using headings complexity factors, echo of complexity, relationship, action-to-reaction, and emotions. The research has illustrated that, as all types of complexity factors require human interaction, they lead eventually to social complexity. In order to explore deductively the second research question, ‘How does human interaction engender social complexity in IT projects?’ a framework using a range of lenses has been applied to a case project. These lenses are Context, Connectedness (Cohesion & Coupling) and Adaptive-Reflexive Response. Giving preference to transformative teleology, a process perspective has been adopted to analyse the social complexity through the proposed lenses. The lens ‘context’ explored meaning creation, multi-dimensional interpretations and cognitive schemata at individual and organisational level. The ‘connectedness’ lens attempted to demonstrate the influence of private networks beyond formal organisational boundaries and interconnectedness in project decision-making. The ‘adaptive response’ lens traced the dynamic creation of positions through deliberations in project tipping point situations. The ‘reflexive response’ lens depicted the time-phased reflexivity in project team members' interactions. The application of these lenses to the case project data attempted to unveil the unfolding complexity; it was concluded that these lenses were suitable for comprehending the underlying social complexity in IT projects. Recently published literature on application of complexity theory frames to projects, concepts of the complex responsive process of power relating (CRPR) (Cicmil et al. 2009; Cooke-Davies et al. 2007; Stacey & Griffin 2005; Stacey 2000a) and in social theories, symbolic interactionism and organisational sense making (Weick 1995) have provided the necessary theoretical foundation to these lenses. Concepts such as Chaos Theory, Strange Attractors and Complex Adaptive Systems have been mapped in general terms to the project data. This research has contributed to a body of project management knowledge by introducing ‘context’, ‘connectedness’ (Cohesion & Coupling) and ‘adaptive-reflexive response’ lenses as well as the construct ‘tipping point’ to comprehend underlying complexity in IT projects. Further research can be carried out in other industries to confirm the complexity factors arrived at in this research. Agent-based models can be built as competing and cooperating (co-opting) mechanisms for complex scenarios in projects. Explorative research can be carried out to develop other lenses to capture social complexity in projects. Cross-validating the framework across multiple industries can offset the bias associated with this qualitative research. The framework is useful for the practitioner to understand project complexity, as the stakeholders do experience it in varying stages of a project. The classification of the complexity factors (static) may help the industry to acknowledge project complexity and create a typology of projects for better treatment through fostering a higher form of collaboration. This thesis presents the results of an investigation to understand the nature of project complexity factors and how social complexity is generated in IT projects because of human interaction

Towards coaching across divides to create alliances: an integral approach

This dissertation builds a meta-theoretical approach to creating alliances across differences in order to meet shared objectives. The research took place over two years (2003-2005) within an asset management company of 80 employees in South Africa. Managing diversity well is an organisational leadership capacity, crucially capable of transforming organisations in the direction of high-trust, high-performance environments. The research site was caught up in the challenges of transformation on several fronts, not least that of being in a country moving into a plural democracy from the restrictive rigours of apartheid and the impact of decades of institutionalised racism. The research places this South African client site in the context of global issues of diversity management and leadership mastery. This work introduces to the field of professional coaching and consulting sociological theories of the identity construction of groups including critical discourse theory, as well as integral theory and human development theory as the academic underpinning of a practical coaching model. Sociological perspectives of identity construction trace the different competing discourses or narratives that ‘brand’ our diverse identities. The growing multi-disciplinary field of Integral theory maintains the importance of regarding different knowledge systems as each holding truth value. The Integral approach contradicts the notion of competing perspectives among particular knowledge systems, preferring to see both-and connections rather than binary opposites - either-or ‘silo’ thinking. A selection of the literature is viewed through an integral lens to illustrate truthful but partial contributions to leadership development, diversity management and coaching. Case study examples demonstrate the practical application of a basic integral framework for coach and client to map and understand the multi-perspectival complexity inherent in individuals, groups and corporate entities. The coaching model uses Ken Wilber’s four-quadrant map of integral theory (AQAL) to ‘diagnose’ and map the competing discourses in organisations of individuals in a dynamic system

Complexity and creative capacity : reformulating the problem of knowledge transfer in environmental management

The Ningaloo Reef is Australia’s largest fringing coral reef and an iconic tourist destination; however tourism development in Ningaloo has been ad hoc and the area is challenged by human pressure on numerous fronts. In response to these challenges a number of research agencies brought together a range of scientists to study the effects of human interaction on the reef. Moving from research to practice has been understood to depend on the adaptive capacity of the institutions responsible for governing human activities, in this case in the Ningaloo area. Knowledge transfer describes the suite of strategies used to try to bridge the gap between research and management. Knowledge transfer efforts, however, seldom have the desired impact of seeing research applied to decision-making. The ubiquity of knowledge transfer difficulties across disciplines suggests a common root to the problem, based in our shared cultural assumptions. This study pairs a multidisciplinary theoretical investigation with action research to shed light on why knowledge transfer efforts so often fall short in terms of seeing research applied to practice. Recent environmental management perspectives on knowledge transfer illustrate the shift towards stakeholder participation as a means of improving knowledge transfer success. As such, the action research study involved the researcher embedding herself in the Ningaloo community for 18 months, adopting the role of a knowledge broker and engaging and collaborating with modelling researchers and local stakeholders on knowledge transfer efforts. However, despite intensive stakeholder engagement, evaluation interviews at the end of the process indicated that although the knowledge transfer process had the effect of catalysing relationships between stakeholder groups in the region, and between regional stakeholders and scientists, it appeared to have relatively little effect on the representational knowledge of local stakeholders or the actual application of research in practice. This led to the question of whether knowledge transfer is itself is part of the research uptake problem, as per the principles of problem formulation, which specify that resolving seemingly intractable problems requires examining the assumptions that underpin our thinking about the problem situation. On this basis, the theoretical component of this study explored the Newtonian assumptions that inform our understanding of knowledge transfer. An alternative complexity-based ontology is proposed, unifying the metaphysics of materialism and idealism, based on a synthesis of process philosophy, mathematical logic, quantum theory, general systems theory and the complexity sciences. The phenomena of cognition, learning, knowledge and organising are compared in relation to how they’ve been understood within the Newtonian paradigm, and how they are now being explained from the perspective of a complexity-based paradigm. By reframing the action research results from a complexity perspective, the Ningaloo knowledge transfer process does not constitute a failure in terms of enhancing the capacity of the Ningaloo system to make more sustainable decisions. Rather, the increased connectivity between stakeholder groups and scientists can be viewed as more importantly enhancing the creative capacity of Ningaloo’s governance system. It is posited that the research uptake problem should be reformulated from the basis of complexity paradigm, and the notions of knowledge transfer and adaptive capacity reconceptualised accordingly. Instead of devising rational objective arguments for someone else to improve the ‘adaptive capacity’ of human systems, scientists should focus instead on improving their own creative capacity in their local interactions

Using conceptual graphs for clinical guidelines representation and knowledge visualization

The intrinsic complexity of the medical domain requires the building of some tools to assist the clinician and improve the patient’s health care. Clinical practice guidelines and protocols (CGPs) are documents with the aim of guiding decisions and criteria in specific areas of healthcare and they have been represented using several languages, but these are difficult to understand without a formal background. This paper uses conceptual graph formalism to represent CGPs. The originality here is the use of a graph-based approach in which reasoning is based on graph-theory operations to support sound logical reasoning in a visual manner. It allows users to have a maximal understanding and control over each step of the knowledge reasoning process in the CGPs exploitation. The application example concentrates on a protocol for the management of adult patients with hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state in the Intensive Care Unit

Stochastic MCDM Framework Over Converged Infrastructure

AbstractService unification and application integration have brought about vendors, network operators, service providers, car- riers, businesses and infrastructures over a platform while offering the business plans, presenting solution packages, proposing virtualization strategies and outsourcing the resources whereas promising an all Internet Protocol (IP) setup. Diverse business goals from distinctive providers alongside the technology merger and service unification in addition to dynamic border traffic management issues introduce more complexity over such platforms. A decision-making frame- work for handling the border traffic management issues at private public network with multi homing support is presented. Augmented Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) theory addresses the qualitative entities while constructing the structural hierarchy of goals, criteria, sub criteria and alternatives. Inter/Intra-domain knowledge over different planes (service, control and transport) is modeled by using ontology. Blending ontology with Bayesian captures uncertainty over the planes. A simple use-case is presented over the test-bed to validate the proposed solution. The system offers higher throughput with lower call/session/request drop at the cost of an add-on delay