Viable system dynamics intelligent framework for assessing and optimizing systemic reengineering for e-governance environments: A case study in corfu sunspots tourist agency

Dealing with problems in complex environments that impede organizational cohesion, information dissemination and coordination is extremely difficult nowadays. Usage of technology without sophisticated information sharing planning and solid processes that serve with a bottom-up approach the needs of each individual within an organization, undermines time, cost and quality of deliverables. The eG4M (e-Government for Mediterranean Countries)project basically concentrates on extending, completing and improving the e-Model through the achievement of new research results and its application by participating with the support of the Mediterranean Countries (MCs) – in establishing and consolidating their e-Government systems. This paper focuses on the development of a generic system dynamics model that illustrates the behavior of e-governance systems based on the VSM (Viable Systems Model) as well as the development of a web, collaborative intelligent framework that is built upon the system dynamics model. The framework is meant to have the form of a web-based simulation that is able to identify critical issues related to product, customer, information sharing and service quality using visualizations, automated analytics and impact analysis delivered with natural language format to support the systemic reengineering process, mitigate risk, predict issues during the planning phase and help the user understand complexity and inform his decisions with predictive insights. Modeling the behavior of an e-governance system and being able to automatically process complex relationships, data and issues upon this system mitigates uncertainty at all levels, increases awareness and understanding of the real world and delivers sustainability and viability, increases growth and sets the basis for process autonomy and better coordination, controls and quality of deliverables

Domain-Driven Design and Soft Systems Methodology as a Framework to Avoid Software Crises

Crisis is considered to be an issue concerning complex systems like societies, organizations or even families. It can be defined as the situation in which the system functions poorly, the causes of the dysfunction are not immediately identified and immediate decisions need to be made. The type and the duration of a crisis may require different kinds of decision making. In a long-term crisis, when system changes may be required, the active participation of the affected people may be more important than the power and dynamics of the leadership. Software crises, in their their contemporary form as oganizational maffunctions, can still affect the viability of any organization. In this contribution we highlight the systemic aspects of a crisis, the complexity behind that and the role of systemic methodologies to explore its root causes and to design effective interventions. Our focus is on modeling as a means to simplify the complexity of the regarded phenomena and to build a knowledge consensus among stakeholders. Domain-Driven Design comes from software as an approach to deal with complex projects. It is based on models exploration in a creative collaboration between domain practitioners and solution providers. SSM is an established methodology for dealing with wicked situations. It incorporates the use of models and, along with Domain-Driven Design and other systemic methodologies can be employed to develop a common perception of the situation and a common language between interested parties in a crisis situation

Systemic modeling and relations thinking for risk assessment and IT resources alignment

Systems of any kind expose behaviors that are not directly related to the individual attributes or behaviors of their constituting elements. These are known as emergent behaviors and their existence is a challenge for the manager who oversees an organization or when an intervention is attempted. In this study we argue that interactions or relations provide the main contribution to the existence of the emergent properties and studying these relations can be the starting point for examining or assessing emergent properties or behaviors. Two typical examples of emergent behaviors in an organization which operates as a sociotechnical system are: (a) risk and opportunities and (b) the effectiveness of the information systems. The most systemic organizational paradigms are management systems following an ISO management standard, like ISO 9001:2015. Thus, our approach is aimed at systems of this type

Systems approach to document management

The scientific field of Document Management within companies and organizations is very important and in this paper is delivered a systemic approach in both theoretical and empirical level. The study consists of two stages; first is the theoretical analysis of document management and systems and second is the empirical approach by developing and implementing specific strategic and operational planning in a real document management project. In the first stage the definitions of Administration (Management) and Document and the approach the Document Management theories are analyzed. Subsequently, the concept of document management, highlighting the benefits and other elements which made it historically significant and operationally necessary are presented. In the second stage a specific document management project is presented aiming to create an electronic library using document management systems (DMS). Examples of working libraries are illustrated, using DMS in a national and international level. The strategic planning, SWOT & PESTEL analysis and the operational planning of the project is explained. Additionally, the project management plan follows, showing its four stages, study, design, implementation and delivery. Specifically in step two, the stakeholders of the project and their relationships with the using the Design and Control Systemic Methodology (DCSYM) are depicted and the implementation of the project through the development of dynamic simulation of an intelligible model using VENSIM software, representing the main production process followed by a detailed model presentation. The alternative design is projected, given that the project could not be completed with the characteristics given, followed by the development and implementation of the research. The aim here is the assumption of the projects’problems by the stakeholders contribution and the determination of them in the management structure level

A System Dynamics Model to Identify the Impact of the Economic Crisis on Crime Rate and on Security Sensation in European Societies

Modern society is a Complicated System, in which the interaction between its essential parts is affected in a daily basis by: (a) the Economic Crisis, (b) the Feeling of Xenophobia, (c) the Interweaving of the Political System and (d) the Degeneration of Human Interpersonal Relationships. Two important facts that have been excessively observed in the European Union over the last few years are the increase of Crime Rate, and at the same time the decrease of Security Sensation. The model that we have developed simulates the way that particular social phenomena such as: (a) the taxation, (b) the reduction of the State Expenditure on Equipment and (c) the conflicts of interest caused by the Economic Crisis, affect the Crime Rate. Therefore, this study can be the starting point for identifying other social phenomena that should be taken into account in the Strategic Plan of Crime and Violence treatment in member countries of the European Union

A cybernetic approach to organizational resilience

The modern organization operates in a dynamic environment where ambiguity and uncertainty abound. As an open social system that functions in a continuously evolving business context, the modern organization must determine the external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and its strategic direction, and continually align its governance and management models, in a manner that reflects the diversity of this context. Embracing an organizational resilience paradigm, augments traditional risk management efforts and promotes the optimization of key and enabling processes, across all functions and levels of the organization. On a practical level, organizational resilience can be instrumental in improving management performance and an impetus to anticipating future threats and opportunities. Moreover, it can reinforce the organization’s capacity to monitor developing trends, as well as its ability to respond proactively to a variety of events, while learning from past successes and failures. Finally, implementing an effective internal control framework, combined with sufficient internal audit processes, will ensure that operational and tactical actions are aligned with strategic priorities that are consistent with the culture of the business, and in line with the organization’s overall risk tolerance. In this work we make use of the cybernetic structure of the Viable System Model (VSM) to both identify and diagnose the pathologies commonly found in traditional organizations, and explore its practical potential, in developing and implementing redesign initiatives, which reinforce the organization’s resilience and agility.The modern organization operates in a dynamic environment where ambiguity and uncertainty abound. As an open social system that functions in a continuously evolving business context, the modern organization must determine the external and internal issues that are relevant to its purpose and its strategic direction, and continually align its governance and management models, in a manner that reflects the diversity of this context. Embracing an organizational resilience paradigm, augments traditional risk management efforts and promotes the optimization of key and enabling processes, across all functions and levels of the organization. On a practical level, organizational resilience can be instrumental in improving management performance and an impetus to anticipating future threats and opportunities. Moreover, it can reinforce the organization’s capacity to monitor developing trends, as well as its ability to respond proactively to a variety of events, while learning from past successes and failures. Finally, implementing an effective internal control framework, combined with sufficient internal audit processes, will ensure that operational and tactical actions are aligned with strategic priorities that are consistent with the culture of the business, and in line with the organization’s overall risk tolerance. In this work we make use of the cybernetic structure of the Viable System Model (VSM) to both identify and diagnose the pathologies commonly found in traditional organizations, and explore its practical potential, in developing and implementing redesign initiatives, which reinforce the organization’s resilience and agility

A Systems Approach to Information Security for the Twenty-First Century Organization

A crisis resulting from disruptive events that threaten to harm the organization or its stakeholders can originate from a plethora of sources. Data breaches, unauthorized disclosures of confidential information, and data leaks, are on the news almost daily. Most guidelines and standards published by prominent International Standards Organizations hold that risk-based thinking supports public, private, and community enterprises (referred for convenience in this work by the generic term “organization”) in determining the forces that could cause their key and enabling processes to deviate from planned arrangements, to apply preventive measures to modify risk, and to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. A well-structured Information Security Management System that is developed, implemented, and maintained through sound risk-based thinking, enables the organization to take appropriate actions to address the risks and opportunities associated with its information resources, in a manner that is commensurate to the complexity of its socio-technical infrastructure and the external environmentassociated with its activities. In this work we explore the Risk Management Process that is outlined in the ISO 31000 international standard, through the requirements/guidelines defined in the ISO/IEC 27000-series of international standards. The knowledge gained is applied to develop a systems driven conceptual structure thatcan be employed by any organization operating on the complexities of an interconnected environment, for the purpose of designing, implementing, monitoring, reviewing and continually improving a structured Information Security Management System

The Economic Crisis and the Role of External Audit: The Case of Greece

The global financial crisis of 2008 has been rivaled only by the Great Depression of the 1930s. The breadth and duration of this crisis had an adverse impact on every national economy, reflecting the systemic interdependence of an interconnected economic ecosystem, and the strengths and weaknesses of individual countries, regions, and monetary policies. The economic crises was particularly disparaging to the Greek state, which has a long history of excessive public spending, massive tax evasion, wage growth not supported by proportional productivity, and unsustainable debt levels. The health of the economy was further eroded as a result of a lack of confidence that was driven by questionable accounting practices and the misreporting of economic performance indicators by successive governments. The Court of Audit of the Hellenic Republic1 operates as the independent external auditor for the Greek state. Its effective and efficient operation within its mandated boundaries will be instrumental in the nation’s economic recovery and a key preventing measure to arrest financial mismanagement in the future. This work will describe the context in which the CoA carries out its activities, and will explore the means through which the organization can apply a systems approach to its structure, function, and management paradigm for the purpose of reinforcing its strategic, operational, and tactical capacity

Systemics, Excellence, Global Enterprising and Business Ethics

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The Hellenic Society for Systemic Studies (HSSS)

The HSSS is a scientific non-profit society whose main goals are: to advance and promote Systemic Studies with the development of theoretical systemic approaches that are applicable to more than one of the traditional fields of knowledge through the use but also through the development of internationally accepted methodologies - multimethodologies, and to establish the discipline of the Systemic Analyst in Greece, in academia as well as organizations and enterprises in the public and private sectors (Taken from page 2 of poster