Formal Definitions of Unbounded Evolution and Innovation Reveal Universal Mechanisms for Open-Ended Evolution in Dynamical Systems

Open-ended evolution (OEE) is relevant to a variety of biological, artificial and technological systems, but has been challenging to reproduce in silico. Most theoretical efforts focus on key aspects of open-ended evolution as it appears in biology. We recast the problem as a more general one in dynamical systems theory, providing simple criteria for open-ended evolution based on two hallmark features: unbounded evolution and innovation. We define unbounded evolution as patterns that are non-repeating within the expected Poincare recurrence time of an equivalent isolated system, and innovation as trajectories not observed in isolated systems. As a case study, we implement novel variants of cellular automata (CA) in which the update rules are allowed to vary with time in three alternative ways. Each is capable of generating conditions for open-ended evolution, but vary in their ability to do so. We find that state-dependent dynamics, widely regarded as a hallmark of life, statistically out-performs other candidate mechanisms, and is the only mechanism to produce open-ended evolution in a scalable manner, essential to the notion of ongoing evolution. This analysis suggests a new framework for unifying mechanisms for generating OEE with features distinctive to life and its artifacts, with broad applicability to biological and artificial systems.Comment: Main document: 17 pages, Supplement: 21 pages Presented at OEE2: The Second Workshop on Open-Ended Evolution, 15th International Conference on the Synthesis and Simulation of Living Systems (ALIFE XV), Canc\'un, Mexico, 4-8 July 2016 (http://www.tim-taylor.com/oee2/

Formal Definitions of Unbounded Evolution and Innovation Reveal Universal Mechanisms for Open-Ended Evolution in Dynamical Systems

abstract: Open-ended evolution (OEE) is relevant to a variety of biological, artificial and technological systems, but has been challenging to reproduce in silico. Most theoretical efforts focus on key aspects of open-ended evolution as it appears in biology. We recast the problem as a more general one in dynamical systems theory, providing simple criteria for open-ended evolution based on two hallmark features: unbounded evolution and innovation. We define unbounded evolution as patterns that are non-repeating within the expected Poincare recurrence time of an isolated system, and innovation as trajectories not observed in isolated systems. As a case study, we implement novel variants of cellular automata (CA) where the update rules are allowed to vary with time in three alternative ways. Each is capable of generating conditions for open-ended evolution, but vary in their ability to do so. We find that state-dependent dynamics, regarded as a hallmark of life, statistically out-performs other candidate mechanisms, and is the only mechanism to produce open-ended evolution in a scalable manner, essential to the notion of ongoing evolution. This analysis suggests a new framework for unifying mechanisms for generating OEE with features distinctive to life and its artifacts, with broad applicability to biological and artificial systems.The final version of this article, as published in Scientific Reports, can be viewed online at: http://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-00810-

Making Design Rules: A Multi-Domain Perspective

This study analyzes the processes whereby organizations develop radical innovations in response to environmental transformations. It explores the changes in organizational structures, practices and business strategies entailed by the implementation of such innovations. From the literature on modularity, we borrow the idea that the evolutionary dynamics of artifacts and organizations are linked by design rules, i.e. a set of principles that allocate functions to components, identify the operating principle of each component and determine the interfaces among modules. Through an in-depth case study of radical innovation in tire manufacturing, we study the joint dynamics of technical and organizational change during the transition from old to new design rules. We argue that technical change and organization adaptation are linked, but that such relationship is mediated and rendered open-ended by the evolution of the underlying bodies of knowledge.organizational change, innovation, technological change, modularity, tire manufacturing

A social identity analysis of technological innovation in an action sport: judging elite half-pipe snowboarding

Research question: We explore how facets of the group identity shared by elite half-pipe snowboarding constituents (i.e., judges, athletes, and coaches) shape attitudes towards a proposed technological innovation to the existing judging process. Research methods: Forty-nine Elite Half-Pipe Snowboarding (EHPS) constituents (Coaches, Athletes, and Judges) completed an open-ended questionnaire and email protocol. The sample included participants from 19 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America; all of which participated, coached, or judged in Fédération Internationale de Ski (FIS) or Olympic EHPS competitions. Results and discussion: Participants valued the freedom, individuality, and performance progression the current subjective judging protocol endorses. However, performance progression and changes to the half-pipe have created an increasingly difficult judging task. Participant attitudes toward the proposed innovation varied based on whether it was used to compute athlete final scores or to assist judges with their decision making. Positive attitudes stemmed from the technological innovation providing support to judges, while retaining the flexibility of the existing performance assessment process. Negative attitudes emerged due to perceptions the innovation would inhibit athlete freedom, creativity, and individuality. Implications: Sport managers need to pay close attention to the identity shared by constituents prior to implementing innovation processes. Doing so provides a basis to apply new technological innovations in alignment with the values and beliefs of importance to constituents

Innovation as a strategy for small to medium enterprises’ (SMEs) survival and growth in Mashonaland West Province, Zimbabwe.

Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg.This study examines how innovation can be used as a strategy by SMEs in Zimbabwe to achieve both survival and growth. A sample of 385 employees and owner managers of the manufacturing SMEs in the Mashonaland West province of Zimbabwe was taken for the study using convenience and purposive sampling. In order to answer the research questions, a questionnaire which had both open-ended and closed-ended questions was designed and administered to the sample with a response rate of 85.7 per cent. The study found that most SMEs did not have innovation policies in their organisations although the majority of the SMEs claimed to be involved in open innovation. An interesting finding from the study was that most SMEs rewarded people who brought in innovative ideas to the company. The study also found that the SMEs were facing a number of challenges which were impairing their ability to be innovative. Consequently, these challenges were threatening their survival and growth. These challenges include capital shortages, lack of ‘manpower’, poor infrastructure, competition, lack of government support, strict and unconducive rules and regulations and technological problems. However, the challenge that seemed to be affecting the SMEs the most was that of capital shortage. The study recommended to the SMEs that they should not rely on only a few sources of funding but that they should have a large portfolio of funding sources. Additionally, the study recommended the government to take steps to increase the capacity of financial institutions to construct profitable SME lending programmes. In addition, to survive and grow SMEs also need to be involved in innovative activities such as product innovation, marketing innovation and organisational innovation. The study also found that there was need for SMEs to open new markets in order for them to achieve sustainable growth. Moreover, the study advised that the SMEs should hold refresher courses or training on innovation in their companies. It is hoped that future studies will help uncover how capital shortages affect the ability to innovate within small to medium enterprises

Desarrollar la conciencia histórica a través del patrimonio en el Grado en Educación Primaria

This article inspects the scientific results obtained in a teaching intervention that was specifically designed and implemented aimed at improving the quality of the teaching in Social Sciences contents. More particularly, this intervention sought to check the advantages of using heritage evidence and technological assets for the teaching of history. In order to carry out this research, a questionnaire was drafted consisting of 21 open-ended and closed-ended questions in order to collect the students? opinions and perceptions toward the innovation. About seventy percent of the population (46) considered that they have developed their historical awareness after carrying out the teaching activity

Recombination in the Open-Ended Value Landscape of Digital Innovation

Digital innovation introduces a new open-ended value landscape to anyone seeking to generate or capture new value. To understand this landscape, we distinguish between design recombination and use recombination, explore how they play out together, and redirect the attention from products and services toward digital resources. Digital resources serve as building-blocks in digital innovation, and they hold the potential to simultaneously be part of multiple value paths, offered through design recombination and assembled through use recombination. Building on this perspective, we offer the value spaces framework as a tool for better understanding value creation and capture in digital innovation. We illustrate the framework and offer the early contours of a research agenda for information systems researchers

transformations in the nuclear and bioenergy sectors in Sweden, Brazil, and the United States

Most of the controversies surrounding how to structure climate change mitigation and adaptation – including financing, what counts as action, and how to measure progress against uncertain goals – have technological change as an underlying assumption. Technological transformation is at the heart of mitigation in the energy system, and technological change (cultivars and management) will be a prime contributor to mitigation and adaptation in agriculture and water. Therefore, the issue of governing the diffusion of GEC- related technology is critically important. The standard analyses that assume we just need to “get the prices right” are insufficient in a world where markets are at best imperfect and equitable well-being is as much a goal as efficiency. Our research examines the ways in technological change is guided by such governance factors as governments (regulation and policy), firms with existing expertise and infrastructure, international and national needs for security, innovation networks, and leadership. We will illustrate the determinative nature of these governance factors through case studies of two major energy technologies – nuclear power and biofuels – in three countries – Brazil, Sweden, and the United States. Primary data comes from interviews with policymakers and firm managers who have been involved in these changes in the three countries. Open-ended and structured questions about a range of driving or enabling factors allow us to establish one or more configurations of factors that can inform the governance of future technological change related to mitigation and serve as the basis for further research into technological change related to adaptation