Perspective Of Complexity Theory Research Articles

SCTC: inference of developmental potential from single-cell transcriptional complexity.

Inferring the developmental potential of single cells from scRNA-Seq data and reconstructing the pseudo-temporal path of cell development are fundamental but challenging tasks in single-cell analysis. Although single-cell transcriptional diversity (SCTD) measured by the number of expressed genes per cell has been widely used as a hallmark of developmental potential, it may lead to incorrect estimation of differentiation states in some cases where gene expression does not decrease monotonously during the development process. In this study, we propose a novel metric called single-cell transcriptional complexity (SCTC), which draws on insights from the economic complexity theory and takes into account the sophisticated structure information of scRNA-Seq count matrix. We show that SCTC characterizes developmental potential more accurately than SCTD, especially in the early stages of development where cells typically have lower diversity but higher complexity than those in the later stages. Based on the SCTC, we provide an unsupervised method for accurate, robust, and transferable inference of single-cell pseudotime. Our findings suggest that the complexity emerging from the interplay between cells and genes determines the developmental potential, providing new insights into the understanding of biological development from the perspective of complexity theory.

Technology Emergence as a Structuring Process: A Complexity Theory Perspective on Blockchain

Drawing on complexity theory, we investigate the structuring processes and underlying mechanisms underpinning the emergence of a new technology. Empirically, we track the emergence of blockchain technology by examining international patents issued between 2009 and 2020. Our results indicate that technology emergence follows an evolutionary trajectory that progresses from disordered to structured interactions among the technological elements, culminating in the formation of a technological core that acts as a pole of attraction for further interactions and delineates boundaries within the technological domain. Technology structuring is fueled by what we term “technology fitness” and “self-reinforcing” mechanisms that progressively transform primitive structures into more complex, self-organized configurations. Our study offers a novel framework of technology emergence, highlighting how dispersed bits of technological knowledge gradually aggregate into complex structures that define the specific trajectory of a particular domain.

A complexity theory perspective on politico-administrative systems: Insights from a systematic literature review

Complexity theory (CT) refers to a collection of concepts and heuristics that can be used to study the developments emerging from interactions between phenomena, actors, and events. CT has increasingly been utilized in the study of public administration and policy. However, there is no comprehensive analysis of empirical or other research focused on the functioning of political-administrative phenomena applying CT. This article reports the results of a systematic literature review demonstrating how CT has been applied in empirical research in different stages of the policy cycle: policy preparation, implementation, evaluation, and maintenance. The study reveals empirical research utilizing CT offers practical implications that can be categorized into four themes: enabling leadership, leveraging experimentation, the holistic perspective, and the humble approach.

Catalyzing transformational leadership in Chinese hospitality industry – complexity theory perspective: mix method approach

PurposeThe study seeks to propose a linear model by applying complexity theory and resource-based theory to investigate how hotels achieve competitive advantage and organizational performance during the Covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of hotel leaders.Design/methodology/approachUsing a standardized questionnaire and convenience sampling approach hotel managers and administrative employees were surveyed online. A total of 354 participants from five provinces in China were examined using Smart PLS and fsQCA 3.0 for analysis. The utilization of the asymmetric method facilitates the elucidation of relationships that may not be readily apparent when employing conventional symmetric approaches.FindingsThe results display a significant impact of transformational leadership (TL) on market orientation (MO), competitive advantage (CA) and organizational performance (OP). The results show numerous combinations using fsQCA that can be utilized to increase OP within the hotel industry.Originality/valueAt present, there is a lack of substantial empirical evidence to comprehensively investigate the impact of TL on MO, CA and OP in the field of hospitality research specifically in the context of the Covid-19. The study also contributes by providing an explanation of the factors that contribute to the development of a higher organizational performance base through TL, MO and CA during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Genealogy of Novice Teachers’ Beliefs about Pronunciation Instruction: A Complex Systems Approach

There is a substantial body of studies investigating teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation. However, this line of research has rarely examined teachers’ beliefs as a complex system. To fill this gap, the present study aims to shed light on the genealogy of teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation instruction from the perspective of complexity theory. To this end, two EFL teachers who taught English at a private institute were asked to participate in this study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and narratives. The findings indicated that the teachers recognized the importance of pronunciation instruction for improving students’ listening skills and knowledge of vocabulary and manifested aspiration for native-like pronunciation. However, their lack of self-confidence and insufficient pronunciation pedagogical knowledge base were reported to be major challenges of pronunciation instruction, which they attributed to teacher training courses among other factors. In addition, teachers’ beliefs about pronunciation, learners, learning pronunciation, teaching pronunciation, teachers, and curriculum were shown to co-exist and interact in a nonlinear manner, suggesting the complex, dynamic, co-adapted, and contextual-driven nature of teachers’ belief systems. In light of these findings, teacher education programs are advised to help teachers reappraise their preference for native speakerism and give pronunciation more prominence by introducing a wide range of strategies for teaching it.

EFL learners’ versus instructors’ attributions of success and failure factors: A complexity theory perspective

A limited number of studies have investigated the factors that influence academic success and failure from the perspectives of both students and lecturers of English as a foreign language (EFL). The present study utilizes a complexity theory framework to uncover academic success and failure factors from the perspectives of Saudi EFL learners and lecturers in a public university context. The sample consisted of 64 EFL lecturers and 219 EFL students who completed the success and failure questionnaires adapted from Killen’s study. Descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis were used to analyse the data. The results support the complexity theory perspective, where teachers and students are unique systems, each with their own attitudes, beliefs, and influences, shaped through interactions with other systems. Lecturers’ and students’ perceptions of success and failure factors differed significantly. Lecturers mostly attributed student success to their pedagogical practices, while students mostly attributed success to their positive dispositions, emotions, and attitudes. On the other hand, lecturers largely attributed student failure to student-related factors, while students attributed their failure to negative teacher traits and pedagogy. These results are in line with the concept of self-serving bias. Furthermore, students placed more emphasis on the role of their ecological context in their success and failure than teachers did. The results of this study may help inform teachers and language programs to provide conducive learning environments for EFL students to maximize their chances of success.

Effectiveness of legal protection of Collective and Diffuse Rights: a contemporary look from the perspective of Complexity Theory

The present work follows the paths of bibliographic investigation, having as an investigative axis the protection of homogeneous diffuse, collective and individual rights in the light of Complexity Theory. It starts from the assumption that the complexity of social relations often radiates its effects on the legal dimension of the world of life, culminating in the emergence of complex situations that the Law aims to protect, in an equally complex way. It also considers that in the sphere of the protection of these rights, it is not always possible to find a simplified/simplifying answer to the problems presented. Faced with the current problems of society, which are more complex, it seeks to reflect on various proposals for solutions to current socio-legal problems, regarding the understanding of the referred phenomenon, considering that the proposals offered by contemporary doctrine do not always coincide with the conventional. The present research does not aim to exhaust the matter, but only to present new perspectives to the confrontation and forwarding of more contemporary solutions, related to the injuries and damages generated/caused in the socio-legal sphere of the rights and interests, now appreciated.

Conceptualizing distributive justice in education: a complexity theory perspective

AbstractOver the last two decades, complexity theory, which is designed to deal with systems of multiple interdependent variables, has been increasingly applied to analyse and shed light on various aspects of education. So far, however, complexity theory has rarely been used, if at all, to examine questions related to educational justice. This article offers a theoretical examination of some possible links between complexity theory and distributive justice in education. It asks how accepting the premise that education is a complex dynamic system should shape the way distributive justice in education is conceptualized and approached. It is argued that complexity theory challenges many assumptions on which the dominant approach for dealing with distributive justice in education rests. The article focuses on three subjects that stem from complexity theory but have implications for dealing with distributive justice in education: system diversity, reductionism, and change. Each of these subjects is examined separately, and some possible contributions of complexity theory to illuminating these subjects in relation to distributive justice in education are discussed. The article ends with a brief illustration of where a complexity-based approach to educational justice leads that focuses on school choice and contrasts it with Brighouse's views on this issue.

Applying complexity theory perspective to knowledge management in the innovation context

Purpose Interdependence on the global economy and rapid technological changes raised the degree of uncertainty and complexity, leading to innovation challenges. Innovation depends on knowledge, and the solution might rest on how sound firms manage it, particularly in emerging markets such as India. The purpose of this paper is to examine how firms implement knowledge management (KM) in highly innovation-oriented firms (biotechnology and pharmaceuticals) and the factors affecting its implementation by examining knowledge interactions between individuals. Design/methodology/approach This study consists of a systematic literature review, a case study with embedded units and the use of grounded theory to analyse the data. The factors emerging from the results were examined from an individual and organisational lens. Next, complexity theory (CT) was used to understand the impact of these factors in KM by facilitating its incorporation as a system. Findings The findings of this paper suggest that constant technology adoption increases human-to-technology interaction, higher circulation of existing knowledge and more controlled environments, discouraging individuals from learning or sharing knowledge. From a system perspective, results of this paper suggest that firms self-organise around technology, indicating that innovation decreases as knowledge creation and sharing tend to reduce with lesser social interactions. This study shows the usefulness of using CT in analysing KM for innovation. The performance of the system is analysed based on its constituents and interactions. Originality/value This study contributes to advancing CT in KM in the context of innovation in highly knowledge-intensive firms, as few studies were found in the literature.

A complexidade do trabalho precário na Atenção Psicossocial Territorial: reflexão crítica sobre o contexto brasileiro

ABSTRACT This article proposes to understand, from the perspective of Complexity Theory, and through critical theoretical reflection, the precarization of work as a reality in the Brazilian public health work market, and its influence on the results of a public policy based on the theoretical/practical paradigm of Territorial Psychosocial Care. It outlines a possibility of problematizing the central theme, through the principles: systemic, hologrammatic, retroactive circle, recursive, autonomy/independence, dialogic, and the reintroduction of knowledge in all knowledge, proposed by Edgar Morin, in view of the discussions and studies carried out by the Life and Work Research Group on the precariousness of work and mental health in a concrete field. This reflection is intended to be a source of recognition for actors on the real causes of precariousness, which derive from the way in which health work is exploited, which is closely related to the application of neoliberal prescriptions in authoritarian bureaucratic states located on the periphery of dependent capitalism. The reflection allowed the understanding of the whole and the parts that constitute the problem, recognizing the real causes of precariousness, which blame mental health workers, in the face of unhealthy conditions, working hours, and insecurity about social rights and labor rights.

Study on dissipative structure of mega railway infrastructure project management system

PurposeThe mega railway infrastructure projects are faced with complex environments and multi-level management challenges. Thus, the mega railway infrastructure project management system not only needs to focus on its composition, but also needs to consider changes and impacts of internal and external environment.Design/methodology/approachThis study attempts to introduce the concept of dissipative structure from the perspective of complexity theory and constructs a positive entropy and negentropy flow index system for mega railway infrastructure project management system in order to analyze the factors of management system more deeply. The Brusselator model is used to construct the structure of the mega railway infrastructure project management system, and the entropy method is used to calculate the positive entropy and negentropy values to verify whether the management system is a dissipative structure.FindingsA plateau railway project in China was used as an example for an empirical study, not only its own characteristics are analyzed, but also the role of constraints and facilitation of the internal and external environment. Based on the research results, several effective suggestions are put forward to improve the stability and work efficiency of mega railway infrastructure project management system.Originality/valueThis study demonstrates that mega railway infrastructure project management system has the characteristics of dissipative structure. It can provide theoretical support for the development of mega railway infrastructure project management system from disorderly state to orderly state.

Perspective: Acknowledging complexity to advance the understanding of developmental coordination disorder.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder known for primary symptoms of motor learning and execution difficulties. Recent research has consistently suggested DCD symptoms span broadly beyond motor difficulties, yet a majority of research and practice approaches the investigation, diagnosis, and treatment of DCD with a reductionist framework. Therefore, this paper suggests the paradigm of complexity theory as a means for better conceptualization, assessment, and treatment of DCD. First, the perspective of complexity theory and its relevance to DCD is described. Then, examples from recent research which attempt to acknowledge and capture the complex nature of DCD are highlighted. Finally, suggestions for considering and measuring complexity of DCD in future research and practice are provided. Overall, the perspective of complexity can propel the research forward and improve the understanding of DCD relevant to assessment and treatment. The complexity paradigm is highly relevant to describing the evolving and multidimensional picture of DCD, understanding heterogeneous symptom profiles, making connections to interconnected secondary symptoms, and beyond.

Rethinking organizational performance management: a complexity theory perspective

PurposeTraditional approaches to organizational performance management that emphasize objectivity, control and predictability are rapidly losing relevance in an environment characterized by increasing levels of complexity and dynamism. This paper draws on complexity theory to suggest a new paradigm for managing performance in organizations.Design/methodology/approachThe paper draws on the common features of complex systems and the corresponding concept of emergence to revisit key themes in organizational performance management and propose a set of implications for research and practice.FindingsUnderstanding organizations as complex systems and performance as an emergent property of such systems leads to a set of new research questions, the adoption of alternative methods and the formulation of novel propositions. It also has various implications for both academic research and managerial practice, from moving away from the traditional notion of organizational alignment to adopting a more explicit stakeholder-based view in the design and use of measurement systems.Originality/valueThe paper highlights the great potential of complexity theory for addressing contemporary issues in the field of organizational performance management and charting the landscape for its future development.

Teoría de la complejidad en la atención del paciente con dolor musculoesquelético

Los sistemas no lineales no son susceptibles de ser investigados con métodos reduccionistas. En este sentido, la teoría de la complejidad ofrece un enfoque alternativo para cuantificar la importancia de los factores contextuales en el paciente con dolor musculoesquelético. El resultado del uso positivo (placebo) o negativo (nocebo) de factores contextuales en el entorno terapéutico, podría ser responsable de gran parte de un componente inespecífico en la eficacia del tratamiento, afectando directamente la calidad de los resultados relacionados con la salud del paciente (por ejemplo, dolor, funcionalidad o satisfacción). En los últimos años, se ha incrementado la comprensión del valor de estos efectos. A pesar del creciente interés, el conocimiento y el reconocimiento de los efectos terapéuticos, continúan siendo limitados y heterogéneos entre los fisioterapeutas, lo cual reduce su valor traslacional en el campo de la fisioterapia. El propósito de este estudio es presentar el abordaje el paciente con dolor musculoesquelético desde la perspectiva la teoría de la complejidad.

The Complexity of Bipartite Gaussian Boson Sampling

Gaussian boson sampling is a model of photonic quantum computing that has attracted attention as a platform for building quantum devices capable of performing tasks that are out of reach for classical devices. There is therefore significant interest, from the perspective of computational complexity theory, in solidifying the mathematical foundation for the hardness of simulating these devices. We show that, under the standard Anti-Concentration and Permanent-of-Gaussians conjectures, there is no efficient classical algorithm to sample from ideal Gaussian boson sampling distributions (even approximately) unless the polynomial hierarchy collapses. The hardness proof holds in the regime where the number of modes scales quadratically with the number of photons, a setting in which hardness was widely believed to hold but that nevertheless had no definitive proof. Crucial to the proof is a new method for programming a Gaussian boson sampling device so that the output probabilities are proportional to the permanents of submatrices of an arbitrary matrix. This technique is a generalization of Scattershot BosonSampling that we call BipartiteGBS. We also make progress towards the goal of proving hardness in the regime where there are fewer than quadratically more modes than photons (i.e., the high-collision regime) by showing that the ability to approximate permanents of matrices with repeated rows/columns confers the ability to approximate permanents of matrices with no repetitions. The reduction suffices to prove that GBS is hard in the constant-collision regime.

Polystability in positive characteristic and degree lower bounds for invariant rings

We develop a representation theoretic technique for detecting closed orbits that is applicable in all characteristics. Our technique is based on Kempf’s theory of optimal subgroups and we make some improvements and simplify the theory from a computational perspective. We exhibit our technique in many examples and in particular, give an algorithm to decide if a symmetric polynomial in $n$-variables has a closed $\operatorname{SL}\_n$-orbit. As an important application, we prove exponential lower bounds on the maximal degree of a system of generators of invariant rings for two actions that are important from the perspective of Geometric Complexity Theory (GCT). The first is the action of $\operatorname{SL}(V)$ on $S^3(V)^{\oplus 3}$, the space of $3$-tuples of cubic forms, and the second is the action of $\operatorname{SL}(V) \times \operatorname{SL}(W) \times \operatorname{SL}(Z)$ on the tensor space $(V \otimes W \otimes Z)^{\oplus 5}$. In both these cases, we prove an exponential lower degree bound for a system of invariants that generate the invariant ring or that define the null cone.

Proposal of guidelines to assist managers to face pressing challenges confronting Latin American universities: a complexity theory perspective

The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated pre-existing problems in Latin America and posed unprecedented challenges for Latin American universities (LAU). These challenges can be characterised as complex problems that cannot be understood through reductionist approaches. This paper aims (i) to provide a complex system perspective of the challenges confronting LAUs and (ii) to propose guidelines for managers of LAUs to address them in practice. A multidisciplinary group was formed and conducted an iterative process of research, brainstorming and debate of potential solutions to the following problems considered particularly important by their universities: mental health issues in the university environment, student learning gaps, brain drain, and anti-science movements. Complexity theory and E/HF concepts are integrated to demonstrate that understanding what LAUs are experiencing in a fragmented manner is impossible, and that the interactions between the challenges should be at the centre of the managers’ actions plans. Practitioner summary: Managers of LAUs can benefit from the guidelines proposed to understand the pressing challenges confronting universities and develop systemic approaches to address them.

Multidimensional interaction of L2 writing fluency and cohesion: A complexity theory perspective

Applying a view of L2 writing development from the perspective of complexity theory, this study explores the multidimensionality of L2 writing fluency and cohesion, examines the interaction of their internal dimensions and confirms four types of writing fluency and cohesion development patterns. 14 tasks in one academic year producing 910 essays by 65 learners from southern Africa were collected as the corpus. Factor analysis is used to investigate L2 writing fluency and the cohesion dimension. Non-parametric correlation analysis, LOESS curve and change point analysis are conducted to analyse the multidimensional interactive patterns. Results show the following: 1) L2 writing fluency and cohesion involve five indicators in the three subdimensions of referential cohesion, connective and unit length; 2) the development of writing fluency weakly supports the cohesion development of noun overlap and connective indices, but weakly competes against the development of latent semantics. Dimensions of conjunction and lexical word overlap develop mutually in coordination; and 3) four interaction patterns of L2 writing fluency and cohesion were identified, namely an unstable type, a coordinative type, a competitive type and a coordinative- competitive type. These findings show significant differences in individual and group statistical features, which expand the scope of interpretation of the complexity theory.

The Effect of Manipulating Task Complexity Along Resource-Dispersing Dimension on L2 Written Performance from the Perspective of Complexity Theory

From the perspective of complexity theory and based on Robinson's Cognition Hypothesis and the Triadic Componential Framework, this paper investigated the effect of manipulating task complexity along resource-dispersing dimension on L2 written performance. The results showed that: 1) Significant interactive effects were found between the two variables (i.e. task structure and planning). 2) Without planning, the accuracy and fluency of written output in tasks without structural constraint were significantly higher, while the syntactic complexity was lower. 3) Planning had no significant effect on accuracy. In macro-structure given task, planning promoted fluency and lexical complexity, but did not affect syntactic complexity. The result only partially supports the Cognition Hypothesis. Combined with previous research, it can be found that written output in tasks is nonlinear, multidimensional and self-adaptive. Researchers and teachers are suggested to fully consider task characteristics and individual differences, and not to take task complexity as the sole criterion when designing writing tasks. 
  

Investigating novice EFL writing teachers’ beliefs and practices concerning written corrective feedback across contexts: a case study from a complexity theory perspective

While previous research has identified misalignment of L2 teachers’ beliefs and practices on written corrective feedback (WCF), much remains to be known about whether and how writing teachers’ beliefs may vary across contexts and evolve over time, as well as the extent to which their beliefs are manifested in their practice. To address this issue, this study draws upon the perspective of complexity theory to explore the data collected in a case study of two novice Chinese EFL teachers’ changes in beliefs and practices about WCF across student-centred contexts and teacher-centred contexts. Data were collected from multiple resources, including interviews, drafts of students’ writing, and teacher on-script WCF. The data revealed a complex process of change in teachers’ beliefs about WCF that underwent distinct stages across contexts. Misalignments between teachers’ WCF beliefs and practices and possible reasons for these differences (e.g. teacher professional identity, affective factors, and individual student differences) are also discussed. This study deepens our understanding of writing teachers’ complex beliefs about feedback practices and sheds new light on feedback pedagogy in L2 writing classrooms.