3,461 research outputs found
Messy supply chains
Extant research has made many advances in our understanding of how relatively stable, repetitive supply chains (SCs) can be run effectively. This study focuses on the less researched SCs that are not stable or repetitive. To capture the management challenges of this type of SC, a definition of "messy supply chains" (MSCs) for SCs presenting "wicked" (Rittel and Webber, 2007) or "messy" problems (Ackoff, 1981) is proposed. A conceptual framework is explored in the context of the literature on humanitarian operations. This framework will form the foundation of an in-depth examination of MSCs to aid research and managerial practice.
Keywords: suppl
A Socio-technical Analysis of Interdependent Infrastructures among the Built Environment, Energy, and Transportation Systems at the Navy Yard and the Philadelphia Metropolitan Region, USA
This paper reports on a research initiative that explores the interdependencies of the system of systems â the built
environment, energy, and transportation â related to the redevelopment of The Navy Yard in Philadelphia and the
Philadelphia Metropolitan Region. The overarching goal of the project is a clearer understanding of the dynamics of
multi-scale interactions and interdependencies of systems of sociotechnical systems that will be useful to system
practitioners. The understanding and the subsequent planning and design of sociotechnical systems are âwickedâ
problems and one characteristic is there is no definitive formulation. One of the main findings or lessons learned of
the work reported for the understanding of interdependencies of infrastructure is the identification of what are the
problems or challenges because for wicked problems â[t]he formulation of the problem is the problem!â
We find that systems practitioners have an overarching concern of a fragmented regional policy and decision making
process. Four main themes of 1. Vulnerability of aging infrastructure, 2. Integration of emerging technology into
existing infrastructure, 3. Lifestyle and value changes, and 4. Financial innovations were identified as challenges.
Continuing research work explores three possible infrastructure projects for further study as well as the development
of a high-level systems of systems model. The principle outcome is the initiation of a planning process so that the
system practitioners will learn to better understand the connections among related sociotechnical systems and the
constellation of problems they face not within their immediate scope of responsibility yet influences the operations of
their systems
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ECOSENSUS: developing collaborative learning systems for stakeholding development in environmental planning
ECOSENSUS *(Electronic/Ecological Collaborative Sensemaking Support System) investigates the socio-technological issues around developing collaboration tools for participatory environmental decision making amongst (a) marginalised natural resource users, (b) professional 'experts' from different countries, and (c) key decision makers associated with managing ecosystems. An integral activity is the production of open content learning resources to support stakeholders in facilitating distributed environmental decision making. This involves the integrated use of three open source software tools: Moodle (online course management), Compendium (dialogue mapping) and uDig (user friendly desktop/internet GIS). In the first ECOSENSUS-1 phase, the pilot collaborative effort has been focused on supporting stakeholders in developing adaptive management plans for the Rupununi Wetlands in southern Guyana, a region rich in flora and fauna but also under intense pressure to expand the exploitation of its natural resources, including timber, gold, and commercially viable fish species. Results of the ECOSENSUS-1 are briefly described along with some preliminary notes on the current ECOSENUS-2 phase of associated research in Guyana supported by an additional grant from DEFRA. The paper prompts questions on how ECOSENSUS can feed into wider open source course development using the LabSpace on the OpenLearn project
Requirements: The Key to Sustainability
Software's critical role in society demands a paradigm shift in the software engineering mind-set. This shift's focus begins in requirements engineering. This article is part of a special issue on the Future of Software Engineering
Blinded by Simplicity: Locating the Social Dimension in Software Development Process Literature
The software development process is a complex human, intellectual and labor-intensive activity and human related factors have shown to be the most significant contributors to software system failures. Lacking the ability to identify or quantify these factors, software practitioners will not learn from the failures caused by them. Although, social factors give rise to high failure rates in software development projects they tend to be ignored. Business continues as usual. The inability for software engineers to attain a holistic and inclusive approach will leave the social dimension out and undermine the realization of a fully sustainable software development process.This paper builds on the masterâs thesis with the same title completed in December 2019 at Stockholm University. The thesis demonstrates how research literature on software development processes addresses (or not) the social dimension of sustainability from a holistic point of view. The results indicate that the practice of dealing holistically with complexity including the social dimension is still underdeveloped. Further research is suggested regarding the development of adequate supporting tools, social skills, and managerial attitudes and behaviors
Design: One, but in different forms
This overview paper defends an augmented cognitively oriented generic-design
hypothesis: there are both significant similarities between the design
activities implemented in different situations and crucial differences between
these and other cognitive activities; yet, characteristics of a design
situation (related to the design process, the designers, and the artefact)
introduce specificities in the corresponding cognitive activities and
structures that are used, and in the resulting designs. We thus augment the
classical generic-design hypothesis with that of different forms of designing.
We review the data available in the cognitive design research literature and
propose a series of candidates underlying such forms of design, outlining a
number of directions requiring further elaboration
Difficult forms: critical practices of design and research
As a kind of 'criticism from within', conceptual and critical design inquire into what design is about â how the market operates, what is considered 'good design', and how the design and development of technology typically works. Tracing relations of conceptual and critical design to (post-)critical architecture and anti-design, we discuss a series of issues related to the operational and intellectual basis for 'critical practice', and how these might open up for a new kind of development of the conceptual and theoretical frameworks of design. Rather than prescribing a practice on the basis of theoretical considerations, these critical practices seem to build an intellectual basis for design on the basis of its own modes of operation, a kind of theoretical development that happens through, and from within, design practice and not by means of external descriptions or analyses of its practices and products
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