A special unit for disruptive secondary school students : a social systems analysis : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Education at Massey University

This study is a qualitative description of the Hutt Valley Activity Centre, which is a special unit for disruptive secondary school students. The writer is the Director of this unit, and he applies the Getzels Guba social systems model to the data which is collected. The research is essentially concerned with the organisation and administration of the Activity Centre, and the model postulates that social behaviour in a school is affected by institutional expectations, group intentions and individual needs. These three aspects are developed more fully with the institutional element of the model describing the development of the Hutt Valley Activity Centre, the job descriptions of staff, administration and management and community resources and parental links. In the work group element, the following factors which influence the group dynamics are discussed: the composition of the group - the background and values of' the students, the referral of new students and assessment of students' progress, organisational procedures, and the Activity Centre programme. The individual element gives a descriptive case-study of two students who attended the Activity Cerntre. There is a chapter which describes a typical day in the life of an Activity Centre Director, with all the incidents based on what actually happened. The review of related literature provides a n nber of source references to special classes or units for disruptive secondary school students in New Zealand. and abroad. The concluding chapter gives a number of recommendations relating to the educational unit which is studied.. These include: the need for the Management Committee to include more representatives from community organisations, an increase in staffing, the need for more permanent tenure for the building which is occupied, for increased travel allowances to cover costs incurred by staff whilst on Activity Centre business, and an annual time allowance of up to eight days per annum to be allocated to the Activity Centre staff for the purpose of visiting organisations and departments related to the Centre and its students

Technology, complexity, and risk: social systems analysis of risky socio-technical systems and the likelihood of accidents

Este artigo conceptualiza a multidimensionalidade do "factor humano" em sistemas tecnológicos de risco e emcasos de acidentes.Ateoria dos sistemas sociais é aplicável à análise de tecnologia perigosa e de sistemas sociotécnicos, às respectivas dinâmicas complexas e dimensões de risco.O"factor humano" é muitas vezes vagamente identificado como factor de risco em sistemas sociotécnicos de risco, particularmente quando ocorrem acidentes. Mas é usualmente visto mais ou menos como a "caixa-negra", subespecificado e subanalizado.Três objectivos fundamentais do artigo são: (1) identificar e teorizar de forma sistemática o carácter multidimensional do "factor humano" em sistemas de risco e em acidentes; (2) permitir a aplicação sistemática de conhecimento substancial da ciência social à regulação de sistemas perigosos, seus gestores e operadores bem como reguladores, especialmente relacionados com o "factor humano"; (3) servir como ferramenta de orientação para investigadores e reguladores na compilação e organização de dados sobre humanos e outros factores em sistemas de risco e acidentes.Emsuma, o artigo propõe uma abordagem sistemática para analisar muitos dos diversos factores humanos de risco associados a tecnologias complexas e a sistemas sociotécnicos, contribuindo, assim, para o conhecimento preventivo — ou para minimizar a probabilidade—de acidentes ou catástrofes.This article conceptualizes the multi-dimensional "human factor" in risky technology systems and cases of accidents. A social systems theory is applied to the analysis of hazardous technology and socio-technical systems, their complex dynamics, and risky dimensions. The "human factor" is often vaguely identified as a risk factor in hazardous socio-technical systems, particularly when accidents occur. But it is usually viewed more or less as a "black box", under-specified and under-analyzed. Three key aims of the article are: (1) to identify and theorize in a systematic way the multi-dimensional character of the "human factor" in risky systems and accidents; (2) to enable the systematic application of a substantial social science knowledge to the regulation of hazardous systems, their managers and operatives aswell as regulators, especially relating to the "human factor;" (3) to serve as an guiding tool for researchers and regulators in the collection and organization of data on human and other factors in risky systems and accidents. In sum, the article proposes a systematic approach to analyzing many of the diverse human risk factors associated with complex technologies and socio-technical systems, thus contributing knowledge toward preventing -- or minimizing the likelihood of -- accidents or catastrophes.Le présent article conceptualise la multidimensionnalité du “ facteur humain” dans les systèmes technologiques de risque et en cas d'accidents. La théorie des systèmes sociaux est applicable à l'analyse de la technologie dangereuse et des systèmes socio-techniques, à leurs dynamiques complexes à leurs dimensions de risque. Le “ facteur humain” est souvent vaguement identifié comme un facteur de risque dans des systèmes socio-techniques de risque, notamment en cas d'accidents. Mais il est habituellement plus ou moins considéré comme la " boîte noire ", sous-spécifié et sous-analysé. Cet article a trois objectifs fondamentaux : (1) identifier et théoriser systématiquement le caractère multidimensionnel du " facteur humain " dans les systèmes de risque et les accidents ; (2) permettre l'application systématique de la connaissance substantielle de la science sociale à la régulation des systèmes dangereux, à leurs gestionnaires, leurs opérateurs et aussi leurs régulateurs, ayant un lien particulier avec le " facteur humain " ; (3) servir comme outil d'orientation aux chercheurs et aux régulateurs dans la compilation et l'organisation des données sur les humains et autres facteurs dans des systèmes de risque et les accidents. En somme, l'article propose une approche systématique pour analyser la plupart des facteurs humains de risque associés aux technologies complexes et aux systèmes socio-techniques, contribuant ainsi à la connaissance préventive des accidents ou des catastrophes, ou à en minimiser la probabilité.Este artículo conceptualiza la multidimensionalidad del "factor humano" en los sistemas tecnológicos de riesgo y en casos de accidentes. La teoría de los sistemas sociales es aplicable al análisis de la tecnología peligrosa y de los sistemas sociotécnicos, de las respectivas dinámicas complejas y dimensiones de riesgo. El "factor humano" es muchas veces vagamente identificado como factor de riesgo en sistemas sociotécnicos de riesgo, particularmente cuando ocurren accidentes. Sin embargo, es usualmente visto más o menos como la "caja-negra", subespecificado y subanalizado. Son tres los objetivos fundamentales de este artículo: (1) identificar y teorizar de forma sistemática el carácter multidimensional del "factor humano" en sistemas de riesgo y en accidentes; (2) permitir la aplicación sistemática del conocimiento substancial de las ciencias sociales a la regulación de sistemas peligrosos, sus gestores y operadores así como reguladores, especialmente relacionados con el "factor humano"; (3) servir como herramienta de orientación para investigadores y reguladores en la compilación y organización de datos sobre humanos y otros factores en sistemas de riesgo y accidentes. En suma, el artículo propone un abordaje sistemático para analizar muchos de los diversos factores humanos de riesgo asociados a las tecnologías complejas y a sistemas sociotécnicos, contribuyendo, así, para al conocimiento preventivo -- o para minimizar la probabilidad -- de accidentes o catástrofes

Managing relationships, learning and demands in protected areas : a social systems analysis.

Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.This thesis seeks to contribute to the improved understanding of social systems analysis in management effectiveness research on protected areas. It develops and applies propositions for incorporating the analysis of social systems into management effectiveness research. The propositions are designed as theoretical constructs which represent some aspects of social reality in protected area management. They signify an organized way of thinking about the social domain of protected area management. It is argued that an analysis of management effectiveness must recognize the need to take into account the inherent interactive nature of the connections among three variables, relationships, learning and demands. It is suggested that the three variables do not exist in isolation, but are interconnected and exert influence on each other. The interactions among the variables provide this study with a conceptual structure for analyzing the social domain of protected area management. The thesis conceives the management of relationships as a behavioral process in which protected area management agencies influence the decisions and actions of other parties, and vice versa, over a period of time in order to advance shared interests. The effectiveness of relationship management depends on integrated learning, a collective process of managing information in a timely manner so as to enhance the responsiveness of social actors involved with protected areas. Demand management is viewed as a social process in which protected area management agencies develop timely and defensible responses to current and emerging demands from stakeholders. The management of demands is expressed through relationship management and integrated learning. Important in this context is the capability of social actors to cope with complexity, change and surprises. The thesis should be seen as a theoretical premise that focuses on the learning competence of social actors by aligning and fostering their ability to respond timely to the ever-changing demands on protected areas through the effective management of relationships. It should be viewed as making a contribution to the move in protected area management towards developing learning organizations and institutions through a systems approach. This should be interpreted as enhancing learning about the human dimensions of protected area management. And more specifically, effective learning generates timely responses in the management of demands and relationships. The implications of failure to respond quickly enough are epitomized in a number of South African examples such as rivers that stop flowing and conflicts over resource use. The thesis makes a contribution to management effectiveness research by examining in some important ways why research should not be determined solely by biophysical components, but should be extended to the broader social issues that define the nature and quality of management. It is argued that a deep appreciation of management effectiveness requires an understanding of relationships, learning and demands to provide a foundation for systemic social analyses. The thesis illustrates why a behavioral approach to relationships theory provides a foundation for resilient social relationships in collaborative processes. It shows why the establishment and maintenance of an integrated learning system take place in a complex context which links elements of governance learning and management learning. It also evinces why protected area management agencies have to incorporate mental models into adaptive management of demands. These insights imply that the opportunities for effective protected area management are largely contingent on systemic insights into the underlying social structures and processes responsible for emergent problems. By exposing the insights, research on management effectiveness is poised to take new direction

Studying the semantics of reproduction : a social systems analysis of new reproductive technologies

This study is a theoretical analysis of human conception in the modern world. Emphasis is placed on Niklas Luhmann's concept of social systems as organisms of meaning creation which communicatively evolve with corresponding environments. Some of the reproductive technologies addressed include in-vitro fertilization, surrogacy, and egg and sperm donation. These forms of assisted reproduction are considered as social systems involved in self-referential communication with larger environments. This purpose of this study is to illustrate the means by which the social observer is able to uncover and objectively understand communication paths traveled by reproductive social systems. The two general social environments addressed are those pertaining to gender and the economy. Overall, reproductive systems are theorized as actively involved in meaningful intimate creation with gendered and economic environments through evolving codes of efficiency. This approach provides a multi-dimensional, and hence more inclusive understanding of reproductive technologies by tracing several of the countless purposeful trajectories between systems and environments

A multi-agent model for assessing electricity tariffs

This paper describes the framework for modelling a multi-agent approach for assessing dynamic pricing of electricity and demand response. It combines and agent-based model with decision-making data, and a standard load-flow model. The multi-agent model described here represents a tool in investigating not only the relation between different dynamic tariffs and consumer load profiles, but also the change in behaviour and impact on low-voltage electricity distribution networks.The authors acknowledge the contribution of the EPSRC Transforming Energy Demand Through Digital Innovation Programme, grant agreement numbers EP/I000194/1 and EP/I000119/1, to the ADEPT project

Development of conduct problems and peer rejection in preschool children: A social systems analysis

The development of impulsive-aggressive problem behavior and peer rejection was examined in sixty 4- to 5-year-old boys from low-income family backgrounds. Children's sociometric status and behavioral adjustment were assessed longitudinally at the beginning and end of the preschool year, and related to measures of peer interaction at three different points in time. Boys identified as socially rejected and aggressive in the beginning of the year were highly likely to be identified as such at the end of the year. Early in the preschool year, these children contributed to their own rejection by initiating socially aversive exchanges with peers. Although peers clearly perceived these problems, they did not reciprocate with counteraggression at first. However, as time passed, peers began to actively victimize these children, and most of the aggression on the part of victims became reactive in nature. Thus, the current findings strongly support a transactional model of the development of early peer rejection and conduct problems .Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/44583/1/10802_2004_Article_BF00916696.pd

Fundamental Concepts for Economic Systems Theory

In the creation of a new nomenclature for economic systems theory, Nicklas Luhmann's sociological conceptualism may sometimes perform a heuristic role. In particular, the concepts of 'autopoiesis system' and 'observation of observations' can be extremely useful for the analysis of a far-reaching constellation of various economic concepts. This study develops the elementary terminology of metaeconomics and economic systems theory, and emphasizes the significance of the 'observation of observations'. In most cases when several fundamental concepts need to be logically constructed, the corresponding mathematical symbols and notions may often be utilized as the means for representing their formal functions. Amongst others, 'category' is the most important, because it can formalize the structure of economic systems and meta-observations from the viewpoint of logical foundations.system, observation of observations