General Systems Theory Research Articles

A Re-Imagined Institutional Student Retention and Success Framework to Enhance Holistic Student Support

The focus on student retention and success is a core concern at higher education institutions world-wide. In the South African higher education system, the widening of access, high attrition, low throughput and low completion rates highlight the vast disparities with students entering university. Student diversity with regard to prior contexts influences the way students engage in the higher education environment. In addition, many South African universities are equally not prepared to cater for the diverse needs of their students. This paper highlights the development and implementation of a holistic institutional student retention and success framework. The framework places the student as the central focus and the institution as a key role player in supporting student retention and success. Quantitative and qualitative data were used to inform the development of the student retention and success framework. Data were collected from a cohort of students over a seven-year period (2010 to 2017). A trend analysis was conducted with 4 547 students, using quantitative data from the university management system; in 2017 qualitative data were collected from a purposively selected sample of 54 students to gain an in-depth understanding of how students navigate their university studies within the university systems. Bertalanffy’s general systems theory (GST) was used to analyse the data and bring into focus the significance of the interdependence and interrelatedness of systems, and structures which influence each other directly or indirectly. In the framework the phenomenon of student success is viewed holistically as a set of elements interacting with one another within the university as a system. The paper argues that each element in the framework has an important role to play in providing holistic student support, engagement and success.

The Mathematical Modelling of the Systems Theory

Life is an embodiment of matter that is a common feature of living organisms and can be used as a fundamental criterion for characterizing them. Everything that is common to living organisms falls under the umbrella of biological motion. Everything that is common to living organisms falls under the umbrella of biological motion. The new approach – qualitatively different and more than that of classical or borderland sciences – is the interdisciplinary perspective. The first important milestone in the scientific establishment of general systems theory was the year 1942, when the second edition of Theoretische Biologie by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. One of the main aims of general systems theory is to develop a general orientation and a general theoretical framework that enables a practitioner of a discipline to take up structurally and organizationally relevant contributions from others. Examples are totality, additivity, leap and slow evolution, similarity, gradual selection, growth-evolution, mechanization and centralization, individuality, adapta¬tion, aggression, hierarchical order, parts with a control function, the avalanche ef¬fect, purposiveness and unity of purpose, rhythmicity, physical and biological time.

The Open Systems View and the Everett Interpretation

It is argued that those who defend the Everett, or ‘many-worlds’, interpretation of quantum mechanics should embrace what we call the general quantum theory of open systems (GT) as the proper framework in which to conduct foundational and philosophical investigations in quantum physics. GT is a wider dynamical framework than its alternative, standard quantum theory (ST). This is true even though GT makes no modifications to the quantum formalism. GT rather takes a different view, what we call the open systems view, of the formalism; i.e., in GT, the dynamics of systems whose physical states are fundamentally represented by density operators are represented as fundamentally open as specified by an in general non-unitary dynamical map. This includes, in principle, the dynamics of the universe as a whole. We argue that the more general dynamics describable in GT can be physically motivated, that there is as much prima facie empirical support for GT as there is for ST, and that GT could be fully in the spirit of the Everett interpretation—that there might, in short, be little reason for an Everettian not to embrace the more general theoretical landscape that GT allows one to explore.

«Сознательно-товарищеские» начала организационно-управленческой модели А. Богданова

The publication is devoted to the consideration of theoretical foundations in the field of system socio-economic space, which is reflected in the works of Russian philosopher and encyclopedist Alexander Alexandrovich Bogdanov. Based on the concept of socially-organized experience, reflecting the basic principles about the laws of organization, acting in technology (organization of things), economy (organization of people), politics (organization of ideas), the article substantiates the idea of the special role of space and time, first proposed by A. Bogdanov in relation to economic systems in the context of the system economic theory. In this conceptual context the processes of search of new approaches and rethinking of theoretical capital Тs purpose of transformation of economic systems in the direction of increase of their efficiency are considered. One of such sources of national intellectual heritage are the works of Russian philosopher and encyclopedist Alexander Alexandrovich Bogdanov, which outlined the concept of socially organized experience, reflecting basic principles about the laws of organization, operating in technology (organization of things), economy (organization of people), politics (organization of ideas) and the need for their systemic study. Concept A. A. Bogdanov is the first scientific concept, which integrates ideas of cybernetics, general systems theory and synergetic. The author pays attention to A. A. Bogdanov’s attempt to generalize universal organizational laws, controlling the behavior and structure of fundamentally new complex systems, which is described as “general organizational science”. A. Bogdanov was outstanding – both for his time and contemporaneity - attempt of generalization of universal organizational laws, governing the behavior and structure of principally new complex systems. In the article the idea of the special role of space and time, which was first proposed by A. A. Bogdanov, is developed and developed in the article as applied to economic systems in the context of system economic theory, and the conceptual model of qualitative equilibrium interaction of basic economic subsystems is built. On the basis of the presented information model of economic system on the basis of A. A. Bogdanov’s doctrine leads to conclusions that this doctrine in combination with modern systematic economic theory might become the theoretical base of general economic analysis. The arguments in favor of revival of interest to understanding of A. A. Bogdanov’s ideas and, in particular, to understanding of “economy space” and to the concept of “conscious cooperation”, which can supplement or oppose the concept of competition. His basic ideas about society based on consciously comradely principles, which are of scientific interest in the context of regulation of bona fide and non-bona fide behavior of economic subjects, are also noted. The article allows us to approach the estimation of variety of Bogdanov’s ideas from different positions, leaving the possibility for each scientist to form his own view and approach to this process of rethinking of his many theses and instruments. This article on the pages of the journal opens a discussion platform for discussion and the search for scientific and scientific-applied ideas aimed at improving the efficiency of economic systems, the formation of modern concepts and organizational and management principles and mechanisms to improve and develop both economic entities and the economy as a whole.

Editorial for the special issue “Control‐theoretic approaches for systems in the life sciences”

Editorial for the special issue “Control<scp>‐theoretic</scp> approaches for systems in the life sciences”

INTERROGATING THE ASSUMPTIONS OF GENERAL SYSTEM THEORY INTHE 21ST CENTURY: OYO STATE GOVERNMENT-LABOUR LEADERS’ DISPUTE (2016-2019)

Conflict of interests over human needs has been a recurring decimal since the advent of mankind on the planet earth. The only viable option left for man is how to strike a balance in human relations without necessarily destabilizing the social setting. This study examined the strengths and weaknesses of General system theory in the dispute between Oyo State Government and Labour Unions over the management of 31 secondary schools in the state. The causative, as well as trigger factors, that led to the industrial dispute were also interrogated. The study is qualitative, and relied on secondary and Face-to-face interviews for data collection. Content analysis was adopted. It was discovered among others that: Religious Organizations (ROs), Ibadan District Council (IDC), Secondary School Associations (SSA), Traditional Rulers (TRs), and Parent Teachers’ Association (PTAs) were interested in the Public-Private Management proposal by the State government. The functional indispensability of General system theory was incompatible with the State-centric approach of the Oyo state government. The unpaid salary arrears of the teaching staff, civil servants, and the apparent lack of trust and sincerity of purpose at the latent and manifest stages of the conflict were the trigger factors in the dispute. The study concludes that, the unmet basic needs and aspirations amongst the stakeholders were the causative factors of the protracted dispute. It recommended that, parties in the dispute should have jettisoned their principled negotiation approach as the issues were not beyond conflict transformation strategies.

A Study to Assess the Effectiveness of STP Regarding Knowledge of Preventive Measures on COPD Among Old Age People in Selected Village Rohtas Bihar

INTRODUCTION: COPD is a chronic airway limited disease as characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The more familiar terms ‘chronic bronchitis’ and ‘emphysema’ are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis. COPD is not simply a “smoker’s cough” but an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease. According to WHO report that the 3.29 million of people suffer with the COPD death, in nearly 90% of COPD death in those under 70 years of age occur in developing countries. The most cause of COPD the including environmental exposure to tobacco, smoke, indoor air pollution and occupational dusts, fumes, and chemicals are important risk. The early is most common treatment of COPD economic preventable management is quite smoking, and is needed to slow the progression of symptoms. AIM: To assess the effectiveness of STP on knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people. METHODOLOGY: The pre-experimental one group pre-test and post-test design was conducted at Takiya, Sasaram, Rohtas, Bihar from 6/2/23 to 10/2/23. The conceptual framework utilized in this study was based on General System theory of “Ludwig von Bertalanffy”. A self-structured questionnaire method was used to assess the pre-test level of knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people in selected village Rohtas Bihar by adopting probability random sampling technique. Immediately after pre-test STP was implemented just after the implementation post-test was conducted by using same questionnaire method. The result was analyzed. RESULTS: Before implementation of STP the knowledge level of old age people, (32) had poor knowledge, (28) had average knowledge and none of them had good knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people in selected village Rohtas Bihar and the pre-test mean knowledge score was. After implementation of STP the knowledge level of old age people, none of them had poor knowledge, (31) had average level of knowledge and (29) had good knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people in selected village Rohtas Bihar. The post-test mean score (14.72) of knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people were comparatively more than their pre-test mean knowledge score (7.98). It confirms that, there was increase in knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people after the administration of STP. CONCLUSION: At last, as a researchers, we concluded that there is increase in knowledge of preventive measures on COPD among old age people after implementation of STP and there is no association between variable and sociodemographic variables.

The Effect of Benson Relaxation Technique on Caregiver Burden in the Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Informal caregivers provide long-term support and care for cancer patients and they do not receive enough support from the family and the health system; as a result, they suffer from a lot of caregiver burden. Objectives: In the current study, we investigated the effect of the Benson relaxation technique on caregiver burden in informal caregivers of cancer patients. Methods: This randomized clinical trial with a control group was conducted on 113 caregivers, who scored X ≥ 48 from the Novak and Guest caregiver burden inventory. They were randomly divided into intervention group (n = 57) and control group (n = 56). The intervention group performed Benson relaxation twice a day for 20 minutes each time for 1 month. The control group did not receive any intervention. Then, after 1 month, Novak and Guest caregiver burden questionnaire was completed by both groups. The conceptual framework for this study was based on the general system theory modified by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy. Results: The mean score of the total caregiver burden before the intervention in the intervention and control groups was 71.16 ± 14.42 and 74.47 ± 15.16, respectively. After the intervention, the mean score of the total care burden in the intervention and control groups changed to 57.21 ± 14.66 and 75.47 ± 13.94, respectively. Data analysis shows a significant decrease in the intervention group (P = 0.000). Conclusions: The results showed that the Benson relaxation technique as a cheap and non-pharmacological method effectively reduces the caregiver burden in informal caregivers of cancer patients.

Optimal Organization of Complex Processes in Chemical Engineering Using General Systems Theory

Optimal Organization of Complex Processes in Chemical Engineering Using General Systems Theory

Industry Enclaves of Systems Science

An attempt was made to explore the subject areas of human activity, into which the ideas of the systemic nature of being have penetrated, the system theory has found further development, and the methods of system analysis are used in solving practical problems. In the end, there were 10 such areas – ​philosophy, biology and medicine, cybernetics, military science, systems engineering, economics and management, information technology, ecology, synergetics, culture and sociology – ​each of which was analyzed in the context of the triad: influence on the development of general systems theory – ​availability of specialized system theories – ​application and development of the system analysis methodology. The ideas of well-known scientists, scientific schools and manufacturing companies were analyzed that made a significant contribution to the development of a systematic approach in the subject area under consideration.

DEVELOPMENT OF A MATHEMATICAL MODEL AND AN AUTOMATED ALGORITHM FOR CALCULATING THROUGHPUT

Background. The problem of this work is to develop a methodology for calculating cash throughput, which is based on the well-known formulas for calculating cash throughput, the main innovation of which is to take into account the time spent by trains on acceleration and deceleration en route. Currently, in the process of calculating the available capacity, a formal approach is used to determine the removal coefficients, and the site speed is also taken into account, calculated taking into account acceleration and deceleration, but representing only the ratio of the length of a certain section of the railway polygon to the time of the train following it.&#x0D; Materials and/or methods: simulation modeling, economic and mathematical modeling, AnyLogic software package, methods of general systems theory, logistics.&#x0D; Results. An analytical formula is proposed that allows calculating the available throughput with higher accuracy. The results of the study can be used in the dispatch centers of transportation management of JSC “Russian Railways” in order to more fully analyze the operation of the landfill of the road, railway lines or individual sections in order to more fully analyze the work performed on transportation.&#x0D; Conclusion. The article develops a methodology for calculating the available capacity on a railway line with full consideration of the effect of acceleration and braking of trains on their way to the resulting available capacity.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE ANALYTICAL METHOD FOR CALCULATING THE AVAILABLE THROUGHPUT WITH THE USE OF SIMULATION TOOLS

Background. The problem of this work is to optimize the currently used methods for calculating the available bandwidth based on analytical calculations by building a simulation model in the AnyLogic software package. Most scientists are working on the issues of laying the traffic schedule without taking into account the complex of issues related to predictive modeling and improving the accuracy of calculating the available capacity.&#x0D; Materials and/or methods: simulation modeling, economic and mathematical modeling, AnyLogic software package, methods of general systems theory, logistics.&#x0D; Results. In the course of the work, an abstract model of a railway line was developed and built that simulates the movement of trains according to the specified traffic parameters. The results of the study can be used in the dispatching centers of transportation management of JSC “Russian Railways” in order to optimize the analysis of the subject of the completed work of the railway landfill of the road.&#x0D; Conclusion. The paper considers and proposes a method for calculating the available capacity on a railway line based on existing analytical formulas and the use of simulation modeling tools in order to adjust them and calculate the value of the simulation modeling coefficient proposed in the work.

BUILDING COMPOSITES AS OBJECTS OF SYSTEM ANALYSIS

The article is devoted to the consideration of the material science problems from the standpoint of the general systems theory. The method of dialectical pairs "part-whole", "continuous-discrete" and "randomness-necessity" is used, corresponding to the general system coordinates, on the basis of which the third emergent component of a synthetic nature arises. System-theoretic methods make it possible to concretize model representations using elements of the crystallization theory of dynamic information theory. System representations are used to refine the concept of an interface in materials and heterogeneous systems. The dialectical unity of atomistic and geometric concepts in the theory of the formation of a new phase in binders is shown. The probabilistic and informational description is considered as a realization of the dialectical pair "randomness-necessity". The concept of information is closely related to choosing one or more options from many and remembering the choice made. The choice can be made as a result of the action of external forces (information reception) or due to the unstable behavior of the system (the emergence of new information). The process of structure formation can be considered as the dynamics of an information system. The dynamics of the information system should include interactions that provide any structure-forming particle with the possibility of transition between the areas of influence of stable states with subsequent attraction to one of them. The formation of structures in a binder from the position of dynamic information theory is considered as the reception of information. It is necessary to perform work, due to which the system will go into one of the stable states for the reception of information. The formation of new elements and structures ‒ pores, capillaries and cracks is considered as a transition of the system to its own potential minima ‒ the epigenetic landscape of the material as an emerging system. In this case, part of the energy will be lost in the process of dissipation, and the physical entropy will increase by a value exceeding the amount of information received. Such an effect can be considered as the "price" of the observed macroscopic process of self-organization. The involvement of systems theory also helps, on the basis of the principle of adequacy, to indicate the way for choosing a model object that is optimal for studying the processes of structural transformations of a material.

Enhancing the materiality principle in integrated reporting by adopting the General Systems Theory

AbstractThis article aims to explore the effectiveness of the materiality principle (MP) within Integrated Reporting (IR) by applying the General Systems Theory (GST) of Ludwig von Bertalanffy. GST, within its holistic approach, can be used to identify the main sub‐systems in which the regulation of IR can be articulated and the relationships between themselves, to make the MP effective, thereby improving the quality of the IR regulation. While much research has analyzed the materiality assessment and its impact on disclosure, little is known about how regulation affects the effectiveness of this principle. This research addresses this gap by explaining that materiality is not a stand‐alone principle but needs to be supported by other principles to be effectively enacted. Our findings can improve the materiality assessment by providing a better understanding of the materiality meaning that can be helpful for managers, standard setters and professional bodies. In terms of research implications, this provides a framework for an alternative thought process for simplification without sacrificing the proper breadth of stakeholder focus.

Guidelines for Future Agile Methodologies and Architecture Reconciliation for Software-Intensive Systems

Background: Several methodologies have been proposed since the first days of software development, from what is now named traditional/heavy methodologies, and later their counterpart, the agile methodologies. The whole idea behind agile methodologies is to produce software at a faster pace than what was considered with plan-based methodologies, which had a greater focus on documenting all tasks and activities before starting the proper software development. Problem: One issue here is that strict agilists are often against fully documenting the software architecture in the first phases of a software process development. However, architectural documentation cannot be neglected, given the well-known importance of software architecture to the success of a software project. Proposed Solution: In this article, we describe the past and current situation of agile methodologies and their relation to architecture description, as well as guidelines for future Agile Methodologies and Architecture Reconciliation. Method: We propose a literature review to understand how agile methodologies and architecture reconciliation can help in providing trends towards the success of a software project and supporting software development at a faster pace. This work was grounded in General Systems Theory as we describe the past, present, and future trends for rapid systems development through the integration of organizations, stakeholders, processes, and systems for software development. Summary of results: As extensively discussed in the literature, we found that there is a false dichotomy between agility and software architecture, and then we describe guidelines for future trends in agile methodologies and reconciliation of architecture to document agile architectures with both architectural decisions and agile processes for any system, as well as future trends to support organizations, stakeholders, processes, and systems.

Сучасні концепції некласичної та постнекласичної методології пізнання в контексті дослідження запобігання (протидії) кримінальним правопорушенням щодо учасників кримінального провадження

The article is devoted to the problem of researching the essence of methodology as a science as a whole, as well as specific problems of modern research methodology, in particular, in the field of criminal law and criminological science, in particular, on the basis of non-classical and post-classical approaches in methodology in the context of researching specific criminological problems of preventing the commission of criminal offenses regarding participants in criminal proceedings Attention was drawn to the fact that the discovery of a number of methodological problems (including in the field of criminological science) became a catalyst for the emergence of a large number of theoretical studies, in particular, related to new, sometimes revolutionary, conceptual approaches to the methodology of scientific knowledge in general, as well as to individual doctrines, first of all, in the fields of criminal law and criminal procedure, as well as in applied fields, in particular, sociology, statistics, psychology. Criminological science uses the methodological basis of these fields to study crime problems, in particular, in the field of socially dangerous encroachments on the rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of participants in criminal proceedings. It was established that the modern research methodology in legal science, including and in the criminological field - in the field of crime prevention and countermeasures against participants in criminal proceedings, is implemented in the plane of the discursive direction of the general theory of systems (system approach) based on general scientific principles, as well as the principles of general philosophical classical methodology. However, in the process of conducting research in legal science, in particular, in criminology, more and more attention is paid to the doctrines of non-classical and post-non-classical methodology.

Formation of a Paradigm for Designing Cyber-Physical Systems: Educational Perspective

The subject of the article is the process of forming a paradigm for designing cyber-physical systems. The object of the work is cyber-physical systems. the purpose of the work is to increase the efficiency of cyber-physical systems in the economy and society. To achieve this goal, the following tasks are solved: the formation of a paradigm for designing cyber-physical systems. descriptions of methodological provisions of the general theory of cyber-physical systems. descriptions of the factors generated by the general theory of cyber-physical systems to increase the effectiveness of such systems. General characteristics of methods of design and research of cyber-physical systems at all stages of their life cycle. description of the content of new academic disciplines in the field of design and research of cyber-physical systems. Methods of the article are philosophy and methodology of science, theory of hierarchical systems, theory modeling, historical and system analysis, and theory of technological structures. The scientific novelty of the article is associated with the formation of the design paradigm of cyber-physical systems and the creation of a general theory of cyber-physical systems.

ВИЗНАЧЕННЯ ПЕРСПЕКТИВНОГО СКЛАДУ СИСТЕМИ ЗАХИСТУ У СКЛАДІ КОМПЛЕКСІВ БОЙОВОГО ЕКІПІРУВАННЯ ВІЙСЬКОВОСЛУЖБОВЦІВ ПІДРОЗДІЛІВ МОРСЬКОЇ ПІХОТИ ВІЙСЬКОВО-МОРСЬКИХ СИЛ ЗБРОЙНИХ СИЛ УКРАЇНИ

An approach to the study of the protection system as part of the combat equipment complexes of the military units of the Marine Corps (MP) of the Naval Forces (Navy) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is considered, which makes it possible to determine the promising composition and directions for its improvement. The object of research in the proposed approach is the use of units of the MP of the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the subject is the protection system as part of the combat equipment of military personnel of the MP in typical situations of their use. One of the predominant methods of analysis of the protection system, as our previous studies have shown, is a system analysis based on the general theory of complex systems, the foundations of which have been developed quite fully. Which made it possible to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the contribution to the combat effectiveness of the actions of units in solving specific combat missions based on mathematical modeling of combat operations in substantiating the prospective composition of the protection system for combat equipment complexes of military personnel of the MP units. The implementation of the considered directions for improving the protection system and its elements (personal armor protection, means of protection against damaging factors of weapons of mass destruction and non-lethal weapons, danger warning means) of the combat equipment complexes of military personnel of the MP Armed Forces of Ukraine, allows you to increase tactical indicators of autonomy and independence, and improvements equipment can give an increase in the effectiveness of the performance of combat missions of grassroots units by one and a half to two times. This article presents a promising composition of the protection system for combat equipment complexes of military personnel of the Marine Corps of the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Keywords: combat equipment complex, combat effectiveness, protection system, performance characteristics.

Problematising current coaching strategies from a worldview perspective

Orientation: Leaders need goodness-of-fit with the context in which they are leading, and coaching is considered an effective strategy to achieve this.Research purpose: To critically problematise current dominant coaching strategies in terms of their underlying worldviews, in order to assess their potential effectiveness and relevance in enhancing context‒leadership goodness-of-fit, given the emerging context faced by leaders.Motivation for the study: The current ever-changing context of leaders requires different thinking, including with regard to coaching. The framework of the coaching landscape, with its associated building blocks, provides the conceptual framework for the review of current coaching strategies. Three dominant worldviews that have historically influenced the thinking in social sciences are employed in this review, namely Newtonian, general systems theory and complexity or chaos (second-order systemic thinking).Research approach/design and method: This was a critical conceptual study aimed at problematising the worldviews informing the currently dominant coaching strategies.Main findings: The problematising of the worldviews underlying the dominant coaching strategies revealed that these strategies are not always informed by a worldview congruent with that demanded by the qualities and features of the world that leaders currently face. There is a pressing need for a coaching strategy informed by a complexity or chaos (second-order systemic) worldview, which better meets the emerging contextual demands and requirements imposed on leaders in practice.Practical/managerial implications: A different coaching strategy, called systemic coaching, is proposed.Contribution/value-add: The proposed systemic coaching strategy is highly suitable to bringing about improved goodness-of-fit between the leader and the emerging context.

Effectiveness of educational intervention on knowledge on self care practices following Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

A study to assess the effectiveness of educational intervention on knowledge on self-care practices of patients following percutaneous coronary interventions at KMCH, Coimbatore. Aimed to assess the effectiveness of educational intervention on knowledge on self-care practices following PCI, The study was conducted at KMCH cardiac ward, cardiac day care. The Sample size consisted of 60.Modified General System Theory of Ludwig VonBertalanfy’s Conceptual framework was used. The data collection was done for a period of 6 weeks. Non-probability purposive sampling technique and informed consent was obtained. The investigators collected the demographic data and clinical variables from the patientcase sheet. The self-administered questionnaire was administered to assess the knowledge on self-care practices. After 20 minutes the completed questionnaire was collected back, followed by brief explanation education was given regarding the acute coronary syndrome, management and post PCI self-care practices through computer assisted education. The post assessment of knowledge on self-care practices was measured on patients with regular follow up from 15 days.The post test assessment of knowledge on self care practices shown a statistically significant improvement