On the Reduction of Genetics to Molecular Biology

The applicability of Nagel\u27s concept of theory reduction, and related concepts of reduction, to the reduction of genetics to molecular biology is examined using the lactose operon in Escherichia coli as an example. Geneticists have produced the complete nucleotide sequence of two of the genes which compose this operon. If any example of reduction in genetics should fit Nagel\u27s analysis, the lactose operon should. Nevertheless, Nagel\u27s formal conditions of theory reduction are inapplicable in this case. Instead, it is argued that genetics has been partially reduced to molecular biology in the sense of token-token reduction

PERSPECTIVES IN ELECTRONIC SHOPPING: ON BEYOND AUTOMATED ORDER ENTRY

Large-scale electronic shopping systems need to accommodate both (a) a large number of products, many of which are close substitutes, and (b) a heterogeneous body of customers who have complex, multidimensional and perhaps rapidly changing-preferences regarding the products for sale in the system. Further, these systems will have to be designed in a manner so as to both (c) reduce the complexity of the shopping problem from the customer's point of view, and (d) effectively and insightfully match products to customers' needs. The aim of this paper is to address these requirements for electronic shopping systems. We show how an abstraction (or isa) hierarchy with an imposed distance metric can be used as a representational basis for modeling the salesperson's role (as embodied in the surplus and shortage problems) in an electronic shopping system. Further, we indicate how the distance metric, in the context of the abstraction hierarchy, can be interpreted as a unidimensional utility function. Finally, we extend the single dimensional (single perspective) treatment to multiple dimensions, or perspectives, and show how the resulting representation can be interpreted as a multiattribute utility function. We argue that the resulting function is plausible and, most importantly, testable.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

Simple Reinforcement Learning Agents: Pareto Beats Nash in an Algorithmic Game Theory Study

Repeated play in games by simple adaptive agents is investigated. The agents use Q-learning, a special form of reinforcement learning, to direct learning of behavioral strategies in a number of 2×2 games. The agents are able effectively to maximize the total wealth extracted. This often leads to Pareto optimal outcomes. When the rewards signals are sufficiently clear, Pareto optimal outcomes will largely be achieved. The effect can select Pareto outcomes that are not Nash equilibria and it can select Pareto optimal outcomes among Nash equilibria

ON THE LOGIC OF GENERALIZED HYPERTEXT

Hypertext is one of those neat ideas in computing that periodically burst upon the scene, quickly demonstrating their usefulness and gaining widespread acceptance. As interesting, useful and exciting as hypertext is, the concept has certain problems and limitations, many of which are widely recognized. In this paper we describe what we call basic hypertext and we present a logic model for it. Basic hypertext should be thought of as a rigorously-presented approximation of first-generation hypertext concepts. Following our discussion of basic hypertext, we present our concept of generalized hypertext, which is aimed at overcoming certain of the limitations of basic hypertext and which we have implemented in a DSS shell called Max. We then present a logic model for browsing in generalized hypertext.Information Systems Working Papers Serie

ON ILLOCUTIONARY LOGIC AS A TELECOMMUNICATIONS LANGUAGE

Interorganizational telecommunications-mediated messages are nearly always expressed either in natural language (via telephone, telex, electronic mail, etc) or through specific protocols developed for the application at hand. Natural language expression is powerful, flexible, equivocal, and not generally machine readable. Specific protocols have a limited expressive power, are inflexible, can be unequivocal, and are machine readable. This paper commences an exploration of the possibility of using a formal language for interorganizational messaging. Such a strategy promises to combine the virtues of natural language and of specific protocols for communication. Formal logic is a natural basis for such a language. Recent developments in illocutionary logic (an extension of predicate logic) bid fair to provide a sound basis for a formal language for business communications. The paper discusses these concepts and how they might be implemented

On Automated Message Processing in Electronic Commerce and Work Support Systems: Speech Act Theory and Expressive Felicity

Electronic messaging, whether in an office environment or for electronic commerce, is normally carried out in natural language, even when supported by information systems. For a variety of reasons, it would be useful if electronic messaging systems could have semantic access to, that is, access to the meanings and contents of, the messages they process. Given that natural language understanding is not a practicable alternative, there remain three approaches to delivering systems with semantic access: electronic data interchange (EDI), tagged messages, and the development of a formal language for business communication (FLBC). We favor the latter approach. In this article we compare and contrast these three approaches, present a theoretical basis for an FLBC (using speech act theory), and describe a prototype implementation

Learning to Collude Tacitly on Production Levels by Oligopolistic Agents

Classical oligopoly theory has strong analytical foundations but is weak in capturing the operating environment of oligopolists and the available knowledge they have for making decisions, areas in which the management literature is relevant. We use agent-based models to simulate the impact on firm profitability of policies that oligopolists can pursue when setting production levels. We develop an approach to analyzing simulation results that makes use of nonparametric statistical tests, taking advantage of the large amounts of data generated by simulations, and avoiding the assumption of normality that does not necessarily hold. Our results show that in a quantity game, a simple exploration rule, which we call Probe and Adjust, can find either the Cournot equilibrium or the monopoly solution depending on the measure of success chosen by the firms. These results shed light on how tacit collusion can develop within an oligopoly

Message Management Systems: Concepts, Motivations, and Strategic Effects

This paper motivates the need for system-level message management software. It begins by considering information flows in the workplace as a source of potential gains in efficiency. We next investigate work-flow automation and electronic data interchange (EDI) as indicative of current technologies applied to work processes and message management. Having described current technology and our vision of work processes, we propose an alternative, general-purpose, software technology for supporting application-to-application communication. Problems of EDI, of process-to-process communication, and of describing information items are discussed in terms of the communication problems they present. We then justify the need for this kind of software and layout the criteria (or plausibility conditions) for evaluating a proposal for this sort of system software. The use of a formal communication language is proposed as a common solution to these problems. This proposal is examined in the context of the EDI problem, in order to demonstrate how the proposal might work in practice. Practical benefits of the proposal are discussed that highlight the impact such a technology might have on business practices. The proposed solution is measured against the plausibility conditions presented earlier in the paper; it is found to be sufficient in some cases and in need of further investigation in others. We then discuss the industrial-organizational implications of the availability of such a technology, and hypothesize that it would affect the number and form of cooperative business relationships as well as their scope and depth. We also hypothesize that it would provide advantages to those firms that quickly adopt the technology

INFORMATION SYSTEMS, TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND THEIR EFFECTS ON INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION

There is general agreement among academic researchers that information systems can prove strategic if they are well crafted. However, the field currently lacks frameworks that predict which applications might provide lasting benefit and sustainable competitive advantage. Moreover, little has been attempted in analyzing effects on the organization of industry. These effects may, in the long term, prove at least as interesting as effects on individual firms. We present here an initial examination of the effects of information systems and telecommunications on the competitive position of firms. Our intention is to provide guidelines for choosing opportunities that convey sustainable competitive advantage. We present also an initial analysis of predicted changes in the organization of industry. This work draws on field research and on recent work in market economics

On the Logic of Generalized Hypertext

Hypertext is one of those neat ideas in computing that periodically burst upon the scene, quickly demonstrating their usefulness and gaining widespread acceptance. As interesting, useful and exciting as hypertext is, the concept has certain problems and limitations, many of which are widely recognized. In this paper we describe what we call basic hypertext and we present a logic model for it. Basic hypertext should be thought of as a rigorously-presented approximation of first-generation hypertext concepts. Following our discussion of basic hypertext, we present our concept of generalized hypertext, which is aimed at overcoming certain of the limitations of basic hypertext and which we have implemented in a DSS shell called Max. We then present a logic model for browsing in generalized hypertext