Complex System Contextual Framework (CSCF): A Grounded-Theory Construction for the Articulation of System Context in Addressing Complex Systems Problems

The complexity of problems facing society continues to grow, and decision-makers and problem-solvers are finding many of today\u27s emerging problems to be beyond their capability to adequately address. There is agreement in the literature that problems of this nature are complex system problems, inextricably linked to some highly complex system of systems. Establishing a clear understanding of the specific complex system context is fundamental to the process of understanding and analyzing complex systems and complex system problems across all of the different systems-based disciplines. While complex system context is widely referred to in systems literature, there is no clear characterization of exactly what system context is, making this foundational system concept ambiguous. This research addressed this gap in the systems body of knowledge by providing the needed detail and clarity to the concept of complex system context. A rigorous research methodology, employing the grounded theory method, was used to analyze data collected through a series of semi-structured interviews conducted with individuals reflecting a wide range of systems education and practical experience. Two research questions were identified as integral to increasing the understanding of context within complex systems. (1) What are the constituent elements of complex system context, and what attributes and dimensions characterize these elements? (2) What systems-based framework can be developed for constructing and articulating complex system context? Using the grounded theory method, a theory of system context was constructed, adding to the systems body of knowledge and substantiating a comprehensive and unambiguous theoretical construct for system context within complex systems. Then, based on this theory, a conceptual model to articulate and capture system-specific complex system context was developed---the Complex System Contextual Framework (CSCF). The CSCF shows significant promise for contribution to systems practitioners by supporting the future development of tools to help practitioners capture system context as a part of complex system problem formulation. The research also made a contribution in the area of research methodologies by furthering the use of the grounded theory method in the engineering management and systems engineering domain, an area where its application has been very limited

CYBERNETIFICATION I: Cybernetics Feedback Netgraft in Architecture

During the last decades, architecture has changed its role from fetishizing and fertilizing objectification and objects alike towards glamorising the processing of relations, observations and materialization of the 'objectile'. Steering the design process in contemporary computational architecture through and with a variety of dynamic, interconnecting agents affords re-framing, reviewing, and re-designing prescribed patterns of creating architecture. It critically encourages to examine the concept of feedback beyond the beloved evolutionary algorithm, which presents a technical rather than architectural cultural calculus. ‚CYBERNETICS FEEDBACK NETGRAFT’ proposes cybernetic principles as blueprint or genotype for computational architecture. Such principles allow for a systemic continuation of re-programming the architectural culture currently at stake. The forthcoming observation hovers between theories and meta-models. It argues that the possibilities for design increase through digitization and digitalization. In this respect, the chapter refers to Ross Ashby’s Law of Requisite Variety (Ashby 1957) on one hand and to emergence through digital self-organization on the other. (DeLanda 2011; Johnson 2001). The text offers a critic of the bio-digital and too fantastic (Werner 2014, pp.229-230). The author is starting to suggest an ‘architectural laboratorium of and for computational theory’ built on a systemic approach to emergence and the unforeseen - nourished by cybernetic principles: a cybernetification that eventually can govern and feed back into practice and the art of architecture.In den letzten Jahrzehnten hat die Architektur ihre Rolle verändert; von 'fetishizing' von Objektivierung und Objekten, hin zu einer Veredelung von Beziehungen, Beobachtungen und Materialisierung des 'objectile'. Lenkung Design-Prozess in der zeitgenössischen Computational Architecture durch und mit einer Vielzahl von dynamischen, verbindenden Agenten offeriert ein Re-Framing und Überprüfung von Entwurfsstrategien von vorgeschriebenen Mustern zur Gestaltung von Architekturen. Dies fordert kritisch dazu auf, das Konzept des Feedbacks jenseits der geliebten evolutionärer Algorithmus, der eher ein technisches als ein architektonisches Kulturkalkül. ,CYBERNETICS FEEDBACK NETGRAFT' schlägt vor Kybernetische Prinzipien als Blaupause oder Genotyp für Computational Architecture. Solche Prinzipien ermöglichen eine systematische Fortsetzung der Neuprogrammierung der derzeit auf dem Spiel steht. Die bevorstehende Beobachtung schwebt zwischen Theorien und Metamodellen. In dieser Hinsicht bezieht sich der Text auf Ross Ashby's 'Law of Requisite Variety' (Ashby 1957) einerseits und durch digitale Selbstorganisation auftauchen. (DeLandas) 2011; Johnson 2001). Die Autorin beginnt, ein 'architektonisches Laboratorium' über und für die Computertheorie aufgebaut 'auf einem systemischen Ansatz zu konstruieren

The application of organisational cybernetics to the design and diagnosis of financial performance management systems

The object of this study is the processes that govern the flow of financial resources around an organisation. This is addressed in the context of the need for organisations to survive and prosper in an uncertain and dynamic world. Specifically, interest is focussed upon the mechanisms responsible for its ability to respond in an appropriate way to environmental disturbances in the short term and adapt to changes in the pattern of environmental disturbances over the longer term. The aim is to identify how this process is carried out and what implications this might have for the efficient and effective design of an organisations and practices and procedures.These are fundamental issues for any sort of social organisations. However, over the last fifty years a body of knowledge has accumulated – often described as systems theory – which seeks to identify and codify the principles that underpin all forms of organisation, whether it is sociological, biological or psychological. Advocates of systems theory claim that invariant principles can be applied, and knowledge transferred, across phenomenological domains.In academia, the study of the mechanisms that govern the flow of financial resources has received considerable attention. The study of Management Control Systems (MCS) in general and budgeting in particular is one of the most densely populated fields of accounting academic research. There has, however, been a surprisingly limited amount published on the application of systems theory to financial control processes.The broad issues that this thesis seeks to address are therefore:• What principles and concepts from systems theory can be applied to study ofthe management of financial resources in organisations?• How might they contribute to knowledge and understanding of such systems?• How can they be used to design and operate systems in practice

Autogenic regulation training (ART), sickness absence, personal problems, time and the emotional-physical stress of student nurses in general training : a report of a longitudinal field investigation

A field investigation was carried out with student nurses entering General Training in a School of Nursing.  Autogenic Regulation Training (ART), sickness absence, personal problems, time and their emotional physical  experience was evaluated. Measures used in the study included:The Sickness Absence Record (SAR)The Mooney Problem Checklist (MPC)The Crown-Crisp Experiential Index (CCEI)and The Personal Observations Inventory (POI)Data was collected at different time periods early in their nurse education. The study was carried out to  investigate the effectiveness of ART in providing a method of coping with individual stress. Analyses were made  between and within an ART group of student nurses and a comparison group who did not receive training in  ART. Consideration was also given to individual differences of student nurses in each group.Particular attention was paid to the hypotheses that 1) ART is associated with reduced sickness absence in  student nurses when analysed against a comparison group' of student nurses not trained in ART; and 2) ART is  associated with reduced stress in student nurses when compared with student nurses not trained in ART. 'It  is generally concluded that student nurses trained in ART may reduce their level of sickness absence and can  alleviate stress for some student nurses. However, examination of individual student nurse reports of ART and  its usefulness and practice within these group data, suggest more complex interpretations of the study. Despite  the study limitations, implications for methods of stress control for nurses, curriculum development and  cost-effective savings for nursing administrations are suggested, and possibilities for the development of  comprehensive counselling services for nurses are raised. These issues it is suggested, should be examined within a broader programme of research into coping with stress amongst nurses

Becoming Artifacts: Medieval Seals, Passports and the Future of Digital Identity

What does a digital identity token have to do with medieval seals? Is the history of passports of any use for enabling the discovery of Internet users\u27 identity when crossing virtual domain boundaries during their digital browsing and transactions? The agility of the Internet architecture and its simplicity of use have been the engines of its growth and success with the users worldwide. As it turns out, there lies also its crux. In effect, Internet industry participants have argued that the critical problem business is faced with on the Internet is the absence of an identity layer from the core protocols of its logical infrastructure. As a result, the cyberspace parallels a global territory without any identification mechanism that is reliable, consistent and interoperable across domains. This dissertation is an investigation of the steps being taken by Internet stakeholders in order to resolve its identity problems, through the lenses of historical instances where similar challenges were tackled by social actors. Social science research addressing the Internet identity issues is barely nascent. Research on identification systems in general is either characterized by a paucity of historical perspective, or scantily references digital technology and online identification processes. This research is designed to bridge that gap. The general question at its core is: How do social actors, events or processes enable the historical emergence of authoritative identity credentials for the public at large? This work is guided by that line of inquiry through three broad historical case studies: first, the medieval experience with seals used as identity tokens in the signing of deeds that resulted in transfers of rights, particularly estate rights; second, comes the modern, national state with its claim to the right to know all individuals on its territory through credentials such as the passport or the national identity card; and finally, viewed from the United States, the case of ongoing efforts to build an online digital identity infrastructure. Following a process-tracing approach to historical case study, this inquiry presents enlightening connections between the three identity frameworks while further characterizing each. We understand how the medieval doctrines of the Trinity and the Eucharist developed by schoolmen within the Church accommodated seals as markers of identity, and we understand how the modern state seized on the term `nationality\u27 - which emerged as late as in the 19th century - to make it into a legal fiction that was critical for its identification project. Furthermore, this investigation brings analytical insights which enable us to locate the dynamics driving the emergence of those identity systems. An ordering of the contributing factors in sequential categories is proposed in a sociohistorical approach to explain the causal mechanisms at work across these large phenomena. Finally this research also proposes historically informed projections of scenarios as possible pathways to the realization of authoritative digital identity. But that is the beginning of yet another story of identity

Secondary Students’ Career Development Phenomenarratives

Career education and guidance can support the development of secondary students as they aspire toward their life goals. This research explored the lived experiences of three young people through the creation of phenomenarratives. A narrative co-reflection process was developed as part of the students’ personalised career guidance planning. Findings indicated the importance of career education that supports personalised and holistic learning experiences to develop students’ self-awareness, work skills, networks and confidence in their future direction

Analysis of Project Management System Structure Using the Viable System Model (VSM)

The purpose of this research was to explore the applicability of the Viable System Model as a framework for structural analysis of Project Management Systems using a case study approach. The research used a modified Viable System Model based on the work of Stafford Beer (1979) for the analysis of systems (organizations). The specific research questions explored in this research were: (1) How can the Viable System Model (VSM) be adapted for analysis of project management structure? And, (2) What results from exploration of the Viable System Model framework application to active project management structures? The research used an exploratory case study method (Yin 2009) to explore the research questions. The research was designed as a multiple case study of two projects within a government based engineering services enterprise. The research, including data collection, analysis, and reporting was accommodated by a government based engineering group to support research aims related to studying Project Management Systems. A modified Viable Systems Model (VSM) framework based on management cybernetics of Stafford Beer (1966, 1981, 1979, 1985, and 1994) was developed for application to project management system structure. Following construction of the VSM framework, adapted for project management systems, qualitative data was collected in the form of discussions, meetings, process documents, project documents, and observation notes. The collected data was incorporated into a case study database. The case study database was used to extrapolate emergent themes and issues needed for the development of the case study narratives. The construction of the emergent themes and issues followed the coding regiment from grounded theory (Corbin & Strauss, 2008). A case study narrative was produced for each of the two case studies and project participants were provided a copy for face validation (content and accurate capture of perspectives) from which the final narratives were constructed. The reviewed case study narratives were then incorporated into the final case study narratives. A cross case analysis, between the two focal projects, was performed. The research conclusions and implications were reported and implications for further research were developed in the results sections