Systems Theory In Order Research Articles

The legacy of Luhmann’s sociology of law

This paper aims to map the possibilities of adopting social systems theory in order to couple three usually isolated domains: social theory, jurisprudence and empirical research. It argues that these different uses would be the distinctive legacy of Luhmann’s work for legal research. The text suggests that investigations interested in adopting a systemic approach for discussions in each of these three domains (or in all of them) should focus on the entanglement among interactional, decisional and functional systems. However, this presupposes some enhancements in Luhmann’s own description of law as a social system. The core hypothesis presented here is that a functional system’s out-differentiation (its specialisation in face of other communications happening in the societal environment) depends on the inner-differentiation of this system – that is, on operations backed by the very construction of specific functional-systemic institutions and semantics (including decisional programs and self-descriptions).

Record Management Practices and Service Delivery in Devolved System of Governance of Mavoko Sub-County, Machakos County Kenya

The purpose of this paper was to assess records management practices and service delivery in Mavoko sub-county, Machakos County. Records management practices are widely acknowledged as important resources for social, economic development. Due to resource constraints, records management practices has been taken rather slowly but it is needed for the business running and effective service delivery. The aim of the study was to assess records management practices and services delivery effects in devolved system of governance of Mavoko sub-county, Machakos County Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to assess records management practices undertaken on service delivery in Mavoko Sub- County, Machakos County. Objective two, was to analyse the effects of records management practices on service delivery in Mavoko Sub-County. Third objective was to investigate the challenges experienced in managing records in Mavoko Sub-County and the fourth objective was to propose strategies to improve service delivery by use of effective records management practices at Mavoko sub county, Machakos County. Knowledge of records management practices is the research gap of the study. The study has contributed a lot towards the importance of records management practices in Mavoko Sub-County. The study used a combination of theories such as records life cycle theory, information governance reference model and systems theory in order to inform the study. Both descriptive and survey design method have been used since the research study involved description and survey. Questionnaires and survey method have been applied to collect data that a quantitative research design was adopted to address the research problem. The target population was 38 and a sample of 38 respondents comprising 7 respondents from Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mavoko Sub-County, 7 respondents from Mavoko municipal office and 24 respondents representing staff working with records and administrators in the six county wards reached by using census. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires and survey of records in Mavoko Sub-County where a questionnaire was used to collect data from both staff and users. Questionnaires were used to collect data by the researcher because they are simple and easy to understand when analyzing. The researcher used simple random sampling method that included everyone who had been chosen at random by use of census. Using simple random sampling enabled the researcher get enough and accurate information that led to better recommendation. Quantitative data was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) and presented by means of tables, figures, graphs and pie charts. The use of quantitative approach has made the research more understandable in solving the research problem. The result of the study was beneficial in social, economic development in Mavoko Sub-County and adjacent areas. The key findings of the study indicated that records management practices are not fully practiced in Mavoko Sub-County due to lack of training of staff in the field of records management. Records management practices are useful in all organizations in Mavoko Sub-County since they ease service delivery. The recommendations of the study are that training of staff on records management and on other related field was needed highly to improve service delivery. Also to minimize work failure, there is need to equip adequate facilities and good safety for records keeping and records management policies are necessary when handling record management practices. Since this was the first time the research study was conducted in Mavoko Sub-County, the researcher recommended another further study to be conducted in another sub county in Machakos County since change of technology may bring implications in records management practices. The researcher also recommended the application of information technology on records management practices for future study in the county.

Revisiting dynamics of interacting quintessence

We apply the tools of the dynamical system theory in order to revisit and uncover the structure of a nongravitational interaction between pressureless dark matter and dark energy described by a scalar field phi . For a coupling function Q = -(alpha drho _m/dt + beta drho _phi /dt ), where t is the cosmic time, we have found that it can be rewritten in the form Q = 3H (alpha rho _m + beta (dphi /dt)^2 )/(1-alpha +beta ), so that its dependence on the dark matter density and on the kinetic term of the scalar field is linear and proportional to the Hubble parameter. We analyze the scenarios alpha =0, alpha = beta and alpha = -beta , separately and in order to describe the cosmological evolution we have calculated various observables. A notable result of this work is that, unlike for the noninteracting scalar field with exponential potential where five critical points appear, in the case studied here, with the exception of the matter dominated solution, the remaining singular points are transformed into scaling solutions enriching the phase space. It is shown that for alpha ne 0, a separatrix arises modifying prominently the structure of the phase space. This represents a novel feature no mentioned before in the literature.

Heterogeneity in family firms: contextualising the adoption of family governance mechanisms

PurposeThis research is aimed to better understand what characteristics of family firms create a context in which family governance systems are more frequently adopted.Design/methodology/approachWe analyse a sample of 490 Spanish family businesses using cluster analysis, and we identify four different types of family businesses whose characteristics are associated to the adoption of different family governance systems, i.e. family councils and family protocols. The comparison between clusters of the baseline parameters was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) for parametric variables, the χ2 test for parametric variables and Kruskal-Wallis for nonparametric variables. By conducting between-profile analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), we tested for differences in the dependent variables (i.e. the existence of family councils and/or existence of family protocols) between the clusters, using cluster membership as the independent variable.FindingsTaking into account the characteristics of family firms in terms of ownership structure, management involvement, and family and organizational complexity, we identify four different contexts that create different communication needs and are related to the use of different family governance mechanisms. We characterize the different contexts or types of family firms as: founder-centric, protective, consensual and business-evolved. Our findings show that family protocols are associated to contexts with high family involvement in management and family complexity, while family councils are more frequent when there is a separation of managerial and ownership roles and there is a high organizational and family complexity.Research limitations/implicationsThe study highlights the value of social systems theory in order to explain the association between the characteristics of different firm types and contexts, and the use of family councils and family protocols to govern the relationship between the owner family and the business.Practical implicationsFamily governance mechanisms are widely recommended by practitioners and scholars. However, they are usually adopted only by a small percentage of family firms. This study helps to better understand what family governance systems may be more appropriate in different contexts and relativize the necessity of these governance mechanisms in function of the communication needs created within each context.Social implicationsThe improvement of family governance mechanisms helps to increase the likelihood of survival and durability of family firms. These firms contribute to more than 60% of employment in most developed countries. Consequently, good governance in family firms has social implications in terms of labour conditions and stability.Originality/valueMost family firms don't use family protocols or family councils to govern the relationship between the owner family and the firm. However, little is known about the reasons for this lack of structuration of the family-firm relationship. Using social systems theory, our research contributes to better understand the conditions in which business families are more prone to use structured forms to manage this relationship, as well as the reasons that may be constraining their adoption.

Effect of Strategic Planning Process on performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing SMEs in Thailand with moderating role of Competitive Intensity

This study intended to examine the effect of strategic planning process on performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing SMEs in Thailand. This study also envisioned to investigate the moderating role of competitive intensity on the relationship of strategic planning process on performance of pharmaceutical manufacturing SMEs in Thailand. This study was underpinned by the contingency theory and the system theory in order to explain the proposed conceptual framework. Questionnaires were randomly distributed to owners or managers of pharmaceutical SMEs in Thailand for data collection purpose. Results of this study show that strategic planning process is a key element that could enhance the performance of organizations especially in pharmaceutical sector. Moreover, findings indicated that competitive intensity has moderating role between the relationship of tools of strategic planning and employee participation with performance of pharmaceutical SMEs in Thailand. However, it does not moderate the relationship of control of strategic planning with performance of pharmaceutical SMEs. The findings of this study will give more clarification to the pharmaceutical organizations regarding the importance of strategic planning process that could be used to enhance the performance pharmaceutical SMEs.

A Review of Ground Penetrating Radar Antenna Design and Optimization

Ground Penetrating Radar is a complex non destructive evaluation technique where the antenna is the most critical part. The antenna is responsible for transmition and reception of waves at the proper level and frequencies defined in the GPR system specifications. Important GPR features such as resolution and penetration depth depend on its characteristics. In this context, this work outlines the fundamental GPR system theory in order to discuss procedures for improving antenna design and optimization for GPR applications.

Complexity and the Cathedral: Making Law and Economics More Calabresian

This article argues that the Calabresi and Melamed’s “Cathedral” framework of property rules, liability rules, and inalienability rules needs to be extended using the tools of complex systems theory in order to capture important institutional features of the law. As an applied field, law and economics looks to law in choosing the appropriate analytical tools from economics – something that Calabresi has identified (in strong form) as law and economics as opposed to economic analysis of law. Recognizing law as a complex system requires a rethinking of some Realist-inspired assumptions that underpin economically inspired analysis of law. These assumptions include a preference for narrow, concrete concepts and a skepticism about traditional doctrines and baselines – and ultimately Legal Realism’s extreme nominalism and the strong bundle of rights picture of property. The article shows how the Calabresi & Melamed (CM these include narrow entitlements to engage in specific activities, liability rules that allow an affected party to buy out an activity (Rule 4), opportunistic behavior by parties that destabilizes liability rules, and the role of equity as an institutional response. Extending the C&M framework to treat it as a system helps prevent the C&M framework from flattening the law out. If we supplement the C&M framework to take account of law as a system, we can bring it closer to Calabresian law and economics.

Explicit Weierstrass traveling wave solutions and bifurcation analysis for dissipative Zakharov–Kuznetsov modified equal width equation

We consider the dissipative Zakharov–Kuznetsov modified equal width (ZK-MEW) equation and discuss the effect of the dissipation on the existence and nature of traveling wave solutions of the equation. We use Lyapunov function and dynamical system theory in order to show that when viscosity term is added to the ZK-MEW equation, yet there exists still bounded traveling wave solutions in certain regions. Subsequently, we obtain general solution of the ZK-MEW equation in the presence and absence of viscosity in terms of Weirstrass $$\wp $$ functions and Jacobi elliptic functions. We also derive a new form of kink-type solution by exploring a factorization method based on functional transformation and the Abel’s first order nonlinear equation. Finally, we use the phase plane analysis and examine the stability of the viscous waves.

Natural & normative dynamical coupling

Cognitive science has been dealt with the unique task of straddling and bridging the gaps between the mind and the body. One such gap that has not received as much attention within the literature is the gap between the natural and the normative. We propose that the theory of autopoiesis can be used for bridging this gap, and, so, we incorporate autopoiesis into the framework of dynamical systems theory in order to ground a physicalist theory of normativity. Within this framework, the dynamical coupling between an autopoietic system and its environment can be either natural or normative. We then construct a full-fledged theory of how cognition achieves normativity and find that we are confronted by the frame problem. We review Vervaeke, Lillicrap and Richards’ (2012) theory of the mechanisms by which cognitive agents realize relevance and find that it promises to circumvent the frame problem. After augmenting their theory with our own theory of learning, we find that the frame problem has been circumvented in a way that meets the necessary conditions for normativity. We finally represent our theoretical findings in a dynamical systems framework and discuss some broad applications for social and psychological science.

The Expansion of China's Global Hegemonic Strategy: Implications for Latin America

The paper aims to provide a historical context for understanding the transition of China's development strategies from the keeping a low profile approach (Chinese: Tao Guang Yang Hui ) during the past three decades to the current striving for achievement approach (Chinese: You Suo Zuo Wei ) in recent years. The former lays a foundation for China's peaceful environment and economic success, while the latter represents a shift toward a more proactive foreign policy. The paper examines the two strategies from historical, regional and global perspectives and analyses the motivation behind China's current strategic repositioning. The author proposes an analytical lens of combining both Neo-Gramscian IR theory and the world system theory in order to comprehend the nexus between the accumulation and consolidation of China’s internal hegemony and its inevitable outward expansion. What are the implications of China's outward expansion of its global strategy? The author argues that Beijing's capital and hegemonic outward expansion represents a world system’s new round of capital and production relocation, which will dialectically enlarge or reduce room for maneuver and increase or decrease for developing regions including Latin America. The paper concludes that it is in the political and economic interest of Latin America to seize the chance of this external promotion by invitation and to increase its upward mobility by finding the strategic convergence with China's global strategy.

Mini-Workshop: Recent Developments on Approximation Methods for Controlled Evolution Equations

This mini-workshop brought together mathematicians engaged in partial differential equations, functional analysis, numerical analysis and systems theory in order to address a number of current problems in the approximation of controlled evolution equations.

Cubic derivative interactions and asymptotic dynamics of the galileon vacuum

In this paper we apply the tools of the dynamical systems theory in order to uncover the whole asymptotic structure of the vacuum interactions of a galileon model with a cubic derivative interaction term. It is shown that, contrary to what occurs in the presence of background matter, the galileon interactions of vacuum appreciably modify the late-time cosmic dynamics. In particular, a local late-time attractor representing phantom behavior arises which is inevitably associated with a big rip singularity. It seems that the gravitational interactions of the background matter with the galileon screen the effects of the gravitational self-interactions of the galileon, thus erasing any potential modification of the late-time dynamics by the galileon vacuum processes. Unlike other galileon models inspired in the DGP scenario, self-accelerating solutions do not arise in this model.

Grey incidence between KPIs and hospital performance

Purpose – Performance indicates how well the activities, operations and business processes of an enterprise are performed. In health care, performance illustrates the quality of medical services and targets the strategic objectives, the efficiency and effectiveness and the obtaining of the desired financial results. In economic analysis, the key performance indicators (KPIs) offers real, relevant and accurate information regarding the performance, using analysis and diagnosis techniques. The purpose of this paper is to discuss grey systems theory in order to bridge the KPIs and the hospital’s performance. Design/methodology/approach – Using the grey systems theory, the impact of seven selected KPIs (the beds utilization rate, the average length of hospitalization, the average cost of hospitalization/day, the proportion of physicians in total staff, the nosocomial infection rate, the death rate and the diagnostic concordance) on the hospital’s turnover is determined. Findings – By analyzing the grey incidence between turnover and several KPIs, for a period of six years, it has been concluded that the greatest impact on performance has the diagnostic concordance and the percent of the physicians in the total staff, followed by the nosocomial infection rate, the average bed utilization rate and the death rate. Research limitations/implications – The considered case study should be extended by including a greater number of hospitals into the analysis. Originality/value – The usage of the grey systems theory in an uncertain and limited information field such as the medical one, is a premier in this field. According to the grey incidence analysis results, the performance of health care institutions depends mainly on the quality of medical staff (that influence the diagnostic concordance, the nosocomial infection rate and the death rate) and on the management ability to attract competent and well-trained physicians, which can conduct in a new approach that should be considered by the hospitals’ managerial staff.

A Case Study on Family Therapy for Husbands with Infidelity Problems: Focused on Changes in Family Relationship

This study describes the family conflict related to the infidelity of a husband through the perspective of family therapy. The purpose of the study was to find the factors that affected infidelity and family conflict. This study also attempted to discover factors that influenced positive changes in family relationship. The data consisted of recorded transcripts and notes taken during 21 family therapy sessions, which included individual, couple, and family counseling sessions. This study used the matrix and network display developed by Miles and Huberman as well as the open coding method to show the results of the study. The therapist employed the MRI’s interactional model and Murray Bowen’s family systems theory in order to treat the family. The results of the study identified infidelity, undifferentiation of self, and dysfunctional communication pattern as factors affecting family conflict. As a result of intervention, the family members experienced the differentiation of self and changed pattern of communication. Through these experiences, the family members improved their relationship. This case study suggested that both MRI model and Murray Bowen’s family systems theory were appropriate models for a Korean couples’ infidelity case.

Organizational Health: Delineation, Constructs and Development of a Measurement Model

The present study examines Organizational Health (OH) for the definition that has been inexplicably characterized and about whose significance has been a high level of variability in academician’s and practitioners understanding hitherto. The purpose of this paper is to develop constructs and factors influencing OH within the context of the system theory in order to create a measurement model that can be used to measure business performance with Organizational changes. Data is consolidated using the Delphi technique with the opinions of experts from diverse fields within Malaysia. The study identified an OH measurement model consisting three multilevel constructs such as Culture & Change Capacity, Goal Alignment and Competence Adequacy. There are 28 factors which collectively influence the degree of OH in an Organization. These factors are itemized to convert the model into a survey based instrument of measure. The measurement enables practitioners to identify potential deterioration of health conditions in the organization well in advance and vaccinate through appropriate and timely Organizational Development interventions.

Harmonization of the Educational Sub-Systems of Cameroon: A Multicultural Perspective for Democratic Education

This study explains that lack of harmonization is responsible for the problems of equity and quality education in Cameroon. The objective of this paper is to inquire whether the discrepancies in achievement levels of students from the two sub-systems of education in Cameroon can be traced in lack of harmonization. To attain this objective, a mixed research method of quantitative and qualitative data collection was used to diagnose the problems of lack of harmonization in the educational sub-systems of Cameroon. Some of the problems highlighted include, lack of equity and quality education in both general and technical secondary schools. This paper therefore, exploits Dewey’s democratic theory of education, James Banks multicultural theory of education and the system theory in order to emphasize the importance of harmonization in educational development of Cameroon. A critical perspective is recommended for the process of harmonization. This emphasizes harmonization in a multicultural context. In order to produce democratic citizens for a democratic and multicultural society, a blending of values must recognize and preserve the differences that exist. That is, the experiences of learners, aptitudes and cultures must be given recognition.

복합틱장애 증상이 있는 딸을 둔 부부에 대한 가족치료 사례연구

This study deals with a counseling case in which a mother requested counseling due to the problems of her daughter, who suffers from multiple tic disorder. The participants of this study included five family members (grandmother, father, mother and two female children) and a total of 23 sessions were held from September 2006 to December 2007. Additional counseling (<TEX>$24^{th}$</TEX> counseling session) was conducted on April 1st, 2009. The data was based on recorded transcripts and notes from 24 family therapy sessions. The study used a constant comparative analysis, which uses matrix and network display as an analysis method suggested by Miles&Huberman(1994). The characteristics of the family of origin and the indifference of the husband had caused the wife stress. The couple had frequent conflicts due to dysfunctional communication methods, a clash of values, sexual dissatisfaction, and a lack of communication. This marital conflict became the primary factor of the daughter's multiple tic disorder. Intervention of the family therapist resulted in the setting of treatment goals based on MRI's communication theory and Bowen's family systems theory in order to solve the problem of the daughter's multiple tic disorder. Also, the therapist's intervention techniques included exploring experiences with the family of origin, shedding light on the multigenerational transmission process, exploring dysfunctional attempts at solutions, the therapist's self-disclosure, providing similar cases, dealing with resistance, and suggesting a new communication method. To solve the problem, the therapist helped the family separate the daughter spatially from her parents. Therefore, the therapist's intervention helped reduce the daughter's tics and improve relationships among the family.

Psychoecological Model of Alcohol Use in Mexican American Adolescents

In this study, we proposed and tested a structural model based on Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory in order to further understand alcohol use among Hispanic adolescents, who are at greater risk of alcohol use than adolescents of other racial/ethnic groups. Family cohesion, school connectedness, and peer influence were conceptualized as three primary process factors, while psychological distress was used as a mediating factor and Mexican culture orientation as a cultural factor. The sample comprised 444 Mexican American adolescents (aged 16-20) living along the U.S./Mexico border. The proposed model explained 33 % of the variance in alcohol use. Most of the hypothesized relationships in the proposed model were supported: (a) low family cohesion had significant indirect effects mediated through psychological distress, poor school connectedness, and negative peer influence; (b) poor school connectedness had significant indirect effects mediated through psychological distress and negative peer influence; (c) psychological distress had a significant direct effect as well as a significant indirect effect mediated through negative peer influence; and (d) negative peer influence had the strongest direct effect. However, contrary to the hypothesis, Mexican culture orientation was not a protective factor, but rather had a significant positive relationship with negative peer influence. Lastly, it was found that gender, school status, Anglo cultural orientation, and severity of alcohol use did not have any moderating effects. Based on the collective findings, suggestions for primary prevention programs designed to reduce underage drinking among Mexican American youth were given.

The infinite state approach: Origin and necessity

The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that the Infinite State Approach, used for fractional order system modeling, initialization and transient prediction is the generalization of integer order system theory. The main feature of this classical theory is the integer order integrator, according to Lord Kelvin’s principle. So, fractional order system theory has to be based on the fractional order integrator, characterized by an infinite dimension frequency distributed state. As a consequence Fractional Differential Systems or Equations generalize Ordinary Differential Equation properties with an infinite dimension state vector. Moreover, Caputo and Riemann–Liouville fractional derivatives, analyzed through their associated fractional integrators, are no longer convenient tools for the analysis of fractional systems.

A contribution of system theory to sustainable enterprise interoperability science base

Even if the research domain related to interoperability has been developed for more than 10years and particularly for the last 8years, the different kinds of interoperability and the different problems to solve need to be consolidated in order to define a real science. Moreover, because of the continuous evolution of enterprises in supply chains, interoperability problems must continuously be considered and solved in order to reach a sustainable interoperability.The objective of this prospective research paper is to discuss how system theory (ST), applied to system of systems, is able to support the development of sustainable enterprise interoperability science base. After an introduction which reminds the definition of enterprise interoperability and the development of this domain in Europe, the system theory concepts are introduced. Then, the requirements are described to support the determination of the necessary concepts to develop a science base for sustainable enterprise interoperability. This part also describes how the concepts of system theory meet the defined requirements. The fourth part presents a specific approach based on system theory in order to manage the evolution of interoperability in enterprises and to reach sustainable interoperability. Then last part illustrates this work with a concrete example showing how ST concepts are used in GRAI methodology for instance to represent business process and decision interoperability problems.