Principles Of General Systems Theory Research Articles

Defining a Digital Twin: A Data Science-Based Unification

The concept of a digital twin (DT) has gained significant attention in academia and industry because of its perceived potential to address critical global challenges, such as climate change, healthcare, and economic crises. Originally introduced in manufacturing, many attempts have been made to present proper definitions of this concept. Unfortunately, there remains a great deal of confusion surrounding the underlying concept, with many scientists still uncertain about the distinction between a simulation, a mathematical model and a DT. The aim of this paper is to propose a formal definition of a digital twin. To achieve this goal, we utilize a data science framework that facilitates a functional representation of a DT and other components that can be combined together to form a larger entity we refer to as a digital twin system (DTS). In our framework, a DT is an open dynamical system with an updating mechanism, also referred to as complex adaptive system (CAS). Its primary function is to generate data via simulations, ideally, indistinguishable from its physical counterpart. On the other hand, a DTS provides techniques for analyzing data and decision-making based on the generated data. Interestingly, we find that a DTS shares similarities to the principles of general systems theory. This multi-faceted view of a DTS explains its versatility in adapting to a wide range of problems in various application domains such as engineering, manufacturing, urban planning, and personalized medicine.

Contract Management and Procurement Performance of State Corporation in Kenya

To enhance their competitive edge and optimize resource utilization, it is imperative for public sector entities to adopt efficient contract management strategies. Despite demonstrating a robust methodology for contract management, the energy industry experienced a significant 25% rise in procurement prices. Consequently, the research examined the impact of contract management on the efficacy of procurement processes within State organizations, encompassing contract administration, contract dispute resolution, contract relationship management, contract monitoring, and contract evaluation. This literature review examines the impact of contract management practices on procurement performance. The study was guided by the principles of general systems theory, institutional theory, contract management theory, and transactional cost theory. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The study sample consisted of 157 individuals employed by one of the four state corporations in Kenya, specifically in the departments of managers'/vote holders, procurement, finance & accounts, or ICT. A sample size of 113 was generated using the sample size formulas proposed by Yamane in 1967. The proportion of the given criterion in the research population is approximately reflected in the sample due to the utilization of the stratified random sampling technique. The primary data was collected by means of a questionnaire. The dependability of the instrument was assessed through pilot testing, utilizing the Cronbach Alpha Reliability Coefficient. The dependability of the research tool was determined to be 0.839, a value that falls within the acceptable range. The investigation employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. The statistical analysis employed the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis at a significance threshold of 0.05. The data analysis was conducted using version 26 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The research revealed a statistically significant positive correlation between contract administration, contract dispute resolution, contract relationship management, contract monitoring, contract evaluation, and procurement performance. The findings of this study will contribute to the existing body of knowledge on contract management and procurement effectiveness in state businesses operating within the sector. The findings of the study indicate that enhancing contract management practices will lead to enhanced procurement performance within State Corporations. The efficacy of contract management can be juxtaposed with the efficiency of procurement endeavors undertaken by governmental entities and private corporations.

ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЕ И ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ФУНКЦИОНАЛЬНОЙ СТРУКТУРЫ АРХИТЕКТУРНЫХ ОБЪЕКТОВ НА ОСНОВЕ СИСТЕМНОГО ПОДХОДА

The article deals with the systemic substantiation of architectural objects' (buildings, constructions and their complexes, including those in the sphere of urban development and regional planning) functional structure as integral systems. It is demonstrated that implementing the relevant objectives of modernizing the existing buildings and constructions, erecting the new ones and developing architectural and urban-planning systems is possible only in conditions of using advanced digital technologies, which is closely connected to developing mathematical models, describing architectural objects from the perspective of system approach and general system principles. Much attention in the paper is given to the discussion of a new methodological concept, based on the principles of general systems theory and dealing with the research and design of architectural systems of the «population ↔ environment» type – demoecosystems (integral architectural systems). Based on this concept the definition and substantiation of any architectural object's functional structure can be given, revealing its system essence and structure. The similarity (isomorphism) of the whole and parts of architectural objects' elements and subsystems at all hierarchy levels allows considering the functional structure of an architectural object of any complexity with account of organizing the processes of four types of population's life activity. It is applicable to architectural objects from their elementary levels – room and building, and to the level of cities and populated areas.

Застосування експертних систем на етапах прийняття проєктних рішень при створенні організаційно-технологічних систем

The article reflects the approach to the design of modern organizational and technological systems in industrial production on the principles of general systems theory and systems analysis, structural modeling of innovation projects in high-tech production. We try to solve the problem in conditions of completeness and inconsistency of information. The formalization of decision-making methods for optimizing the construction of organizational and technological systems, which are implemented using expert systems, is considered. The design of such systems is presented as a process of making managerial decisions that are aimed at obtaining a satisfactory technical task with a certain degree of detail of the project in industrial production. Transforming the original description into the final one creates the decomposition of the original description into a set of intermediate descriptions for making intermediate design decisions. Decision-making in most cases is to generate possible alternatives to decisions, evaluate them and choose the best alternative. In such cases, the subjective assessment of a specialist is necessary to overcome the uncertainty. Such a subjective assessment is today the only possible basis for combining disparate parameters of the problem, which is solved in hightech production through a single model that allows you to evaluate solutions. Therefore, the need to use formalized decision-making methods is obvious. Expert systems that use heuristic knowledge are used in cases where it is impossible to formulate a solution to the problem in traditional mathematical terms.

Theoretical bases of agri-food systems development under the global changes

The article considers the concept of system economy as a direction in economic theory based on the generalization of neoclassical, institutional and evolutionary theories, which is based on a combination of processes of creation, functioning, interaction and transformation of economic systems. Approaches to understanding the category of economic system, which covers the processes of production, distribution, ex- change and consumption of goods, as well as the relationship between producers and consumers of material goods and services are generalized. It was argued that the economic systems functioning structure and mechanism is based on cybernetic, informational and organizational theoretical principles of general systems theory. Having considered the scientifc directions of general systems theory, synergetics, change theory, catastrophe theory etc.,it was proved that isoformisms is manifested not only as similarity or clear correspondence of systems construction, but as commonality in their functioning and development as well. It was substantiated that a complex economic system has an emergent synergetic behavior and its development is based on non-equilibrium deviations of critical bifurcation points. It was revealed that complex economic systems have high uncertainty of behavior and their strategic development is focused on the search for self-development ways and unrealized reserves which results in a qualitatively new state of the system. Innovations and sustainable development principle were proved to be the main factors of violations in the agri-food systems sustainability and achieving their balanced socio-ecological and economic development. The negative and positive impact factors influencing the sustainability of agri-food systems modern development are systematized. These factors must be taken into account when substantiating the options for the systems development on the basis of targeted management influence. The paper highlights that agri-food systems operate in a multilevel environment and identifes strategic priorities for their development at the micro, meso, macro and mega levels. It is emphasized that agri-food systems affect the development of rural areas and they can ensure the homeostatic systems. The defnition of the category "agri-food systems" is extended and their specifc features, development trends, challenges and threats in achieving the sustainable development goals are generalized. Key words: economic system, agro-food system, rural areas, sustainable development, innovation, globalization.

Improving oil recovery for Arctic offshore oilfields using efficient multifunctional systems

This work presents the main properties of multifunctional systems designed for improving oil production for Artic offshore fields. The processes were developed using a system approach to the optimal organization of complex technological objects. This approach employs the principles of general systems theory, which are based on information theory developed by C. Shannon and W. Weaver and can be used to formulate the organization criteria of a technological system with hierarchical structure. This can be applied in technology for creating multifunctional processes with synergistic properties. Technological solutions were designed in order to address a number of important issues associated with the development of offshore oil fields in the Artic region, namely: improving oil recovery, energy saving, environmental problems (problems associated with the conservation of a unique ecosystem) and ensuring the operation of the production platforms. These solutions will allow to solve these problems simultaneously in multifunctional systems that combine power generation modules based on the Brayton and Rankine cycles and modules for carbon dioxide capture. The efficiency of the proposed solution exceeds that of analogous solutions overseas.

Evaluating Service Quality and Service Value in Manufacturer-Distributor Settings: A Systems Approach

ABSTRACT Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the antecedents of service quality and customer value in a manufacturer-distributor context by elaborating the basic principles of general systems theory. Based on previous research in the field we demonstrate how an initially multidimensional and complicated phenomenon can be explained and predicted by a relatively simple research model. Methodology/approach – After the theoretical discussion, this paper develops a systemic research model for measuring service quality and customer value. The model suggests that input dimensions positively affect process dimensions, which subsequently have a positive effect on output quality. It shows the mechanisms by which factors outside the traditional service management domain impact service outcomes directly and indirectly. Quantitative empirical research was carried out in order to test the hypotheses inherent in the research model, and the data were analyzed using the partial least squares (PLS) method. Findings – Study findings support the widespread idea that perceived service quality and customer value are grounded in the quality of the service process and also on critical input factors. Considering both direct and indirect effects, it seems that the most significant driver behind the service quality and customer value is employee response followed by employee assurance. Nevertheless, it is important to note that both tangibles and visuals (visually appealing physical facilities, equipment, and appearance of personnel), as well as information items (quality and accessibility of information and communication quality), are quite strong predictors of the associated process structures. These service attributes should not be rejected when in pursuit of a comprehensive quality policy in practice. Research Implications – The chief contribution of this study to the research community is that a more definite conceptualization and explanation of the service success can be found by the general systems theory. Practical Implications – Our advice to practitioners, and above all to service management, is that they must do everything in their power to increase the level of employee responsiveness. Without ignoring other dimensions in the quality system, the soft metrics inherent in employee assurance are valued highly by customers. Originality/value – The research model reveals previously unrecognized interactions between eight constructs. Our data and the empirical tests confirm that the adopted approach explains service quality and customer value exceptionally well. In addition to the explanatory power of the proposed approach, due to the methodology chosen, it also has strong predictive power. Thus, the model can be used to predict observations for cases that are similar to the case used in the sample. Even though the specific focus of the study is on the manufacturer-distributor context, the results are applicable to service management in general.

Systemic Principles in the Study of Family Businesses

This article presents a systems perspective on administration and psychology in the study of family owned companies. The principles of general systems theory and basic humanistic assumptions of business administration and the theoretical concepts of organizational and work psychology have been addressed. These analyses have been organized into a systematic interdisciplinary methodology to evaluate the environment of family companies and the realities of families involved in the management function. It is clearly evident that there is a pressing need to study viable ways for a joint performance evaluation between psychology and administrative functions that consider the interaction and interdependence between these disciplines. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A Holistic Approach for Designing Human-Centric Trust Systems

Online trust systems, albeit existing as technical implementations, aim to translate the role that trust has in the traditional world onto the virtual platforms. Establishing the inter-dependence between these systems and the human-factor is essential for reducing, but more importantly for understanding the inherent complexity of the open social platforms, and for improving the user-experience and system-performance. This work determines the systemic features of trust and introduces a novel framework of design-properties based on the principles of General Systems Theory. We determine the systemic properties which lack in the current technical solutions, and incorporate social factors into the design-guidelines of trust systems. We introduce four influence-factors and demonstrate that accounting for those factors leads to compliance with the generic system-principles. Finally, we employ case study analysis following the premises of case study research established in the social science literature. By performing semantic analysis of the state of the art on trust systems, we are able to identify two semantic clusters to which trust research belongs, and to choose in a non-random manner the representative case studies for evaluation upon our framework. To our knowledge, this is the first study applying fundamental social science principles from General Systems Theory and case-study research for the purpose of theory-building and evaluation of technical human-centric solutions.

A Theoretical Model For Accounting For Cost Variance In The Residential Home Building Industry

<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span><p style="margin: 0in 0.5in 0pt; text-align: justify; mso-pagination: none;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">The purpose of this study was to propose a theoretical model for home building contractors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The theoretical framework proposed was formulated from a systems approach focusing on the principles of general systems theory and applying the theory of single-loop learning to the task of a real-time cost variance calculation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In creating the model, the researcher first looked at the concept of general systems theory, applying the system concept using a systems approach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This approach has led to the development of the theoretical model for the home building industry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the center of the model is the cost variance system interacting with the individual subsystems; estimating, accounting, standards, and technology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This model outlines the importance of four separate subsystems and their interrelationships in the calculation of cost variance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The model in this study has led to several important implications and recommendations for the home building industry</span></span></p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"> </span>

An empirical evaluation of a methodology‐tailoring information system development model

AbstractOver the years a multitude of methodologies of information systems development have emerged. While many of these methodologies have shown promise, prior research has shown that system development is a highly circumstantial process, and that no one methodology will be optimal for every context of every project. Research has also shown that system development practitioners have been using an ad hoc approach to modify formal methodologies in order to create a better fit for their circumstances.This article presents a more formal approach: a new model informed by the principles of general systems theory, which can be used to adapt existing information system development methodologies through the identification of general isomorphic properties.The results are reported from an experiment that was conducted to measure the model in terms of developer satisfaction with the finished product, the development process, and the problem solving process. Also, the results of an evaluation by expert judges on finished products created using the model are shown. These results show that there is promise in the new model and that more research needs to be conducted. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ASSESSING IT AS A KEY SUCCESS FACTOR FOR ACCRUAL ACCOUNTING IMPLEMENTATION IN GREEK MUNICIPALITIES

Inadequacy of Information Technology (IT) enabled solutions has constrained the implementation of accrual accounting in Greek municipalities as part of a New Public Management (NPM) initiative. In this paper we analyse the main reasons behind the failure of IT to support the accounting reform and describe how the problems of software solutions were overcome with the assistance of an IS/IT assessment model, based on the general systems theory principles. We present an IS/IT evaluation approach, which adopts a systems perspective in order to provide evaluation criteria for both functional and behavioural aspects of the IT solutions adopted to support the new accounting practices. The described approach provides empirical evidence related to the effectiveness of systems oriented thinking in devising evaluation frameworks for assessing IS/IT solutions employed to support contemporary accounting practices in Public Sector organizations. The reported work contributes to the literature (i) an IT assessment case study in Greek public sector, (ii) a novel evaluation framework suitable for both functional and behavioural aspects of financial management information systems and finally (iii) comprehensive experience from its application in Greek municipalities.

Tissue Homeostasis and Immunity – More on Models

This article continues the ongoing debate around models of the immune system. Earlier contributors have paid much attention to the various processes that lead to adaptive immune system aggression or tolerance. They have often based their discussions around facts that have been established by experimental investigation. However, both the observation and interpretation of these facts have been influenced by the function--or system goal--that is believed to have generated them. The perception of this function (of all or part of the immune system) is influenced by long established theories in immunology (e.g. horror autotoxicus, clonal deletion in utero, pathogen elimination, clonal selection, auto-immunity and so on) which, for many, have become enshrined as facts. One function that has had less consideration and has not been extensively investigated is the maintenance of tissue homeostasis. When the immune system is viewed from this perspective, the facts invite alternative interpretations. Whilst this perspective may not necessarily be the only valid one, let alone a correct one, viewing things this way--at least briefly--might help to expose hidden assumptions. It also emphasizes that the immune system is a system and, as such, it can by analysed through the principles of general systems theory.

Consultation and the Parent-Educator Partnership: A Perspective

The importance of consulting with parents and teachers is discussed in this article. It is contended that educational and psychological consultants must go beyond adopting a systems approach to applying principles of general systems theory by understanding and enhancing the reciprocal influences of home and school. Three literature areas that support this contention are reviewed: (a) parent involvement in education, (b) prevention efforts, and (c) systems/ecological theory. Six critical practice issues are outlined for consulting when the home-school interface is a focal concern.

Coexisting and conflicting self-referential conceptual systems: A model for describing malfunctioning in the contemporary family-implications for therapy

In the proposed model, intra- and interpersonal conflicts are formalized as information-processing problems created by inconsistent self-referential conceptual systems. Three self-referential conceptual systems corresponding to the three forms of family lifetraditional-rural, industrial-nuclear, information-transactional-coexist and intermingle, creating difficulties in the coordination of interactions. Each of these ecotheories is viewed as a constellation of hierarchically-ordered, dynamic, cognitive-emotional structures which express the particular family system's perceptions of itself in relation to its environment and life in general. The model correlates in an integrative manner phenomena at the level of societal change with evolving patterns of intrapersonal and familial dynamics and provides a framework for guiding preventive and therapeutic interventions. The evolving ecotheory model presented in this work follows the metatheoretical paradigms of cognitive science, self-reference and self-organization. The attempted synthesis has been achieved in the context of the unifying concepts and principles of General Systems Theory.

Systems thinking: An experimental course for college freshmen

An experimental interdisciplinary freshman course called “The Systems Approach to the Universe” was taught at North Carolina State University in the Spring of 1986. The goals of the course were to introduce principles of general systems theory; to provide examples through lectures and readings of applications of these principles in a wide variety of fields and disciplines; and to introduce and provide practice in critical questioning and evaluation. This paper outlines what was done, how it worked, and how the instructors and the students assessed the experience afterwards.

Systemic Aspects of the Problem of Automating Industrial Technological Complexes

This paper is concerned with selected aspects of the problem of automating industrial technologies in the light of integrated principles of general systems theory. The ultimate objective of the approach that will be described is to identify a sound systems design algorithm to be applied to a part of an automated industrial complex consisting of an organizational and technological restructuring module and a flexible automated production module. Subsequently this may be extended to an integrated automated production complex.To ensure that this problem is considered in terms of fundamental concepts the possibility is considered of relying on an integrated conceptual basis (reflecting principles of dialectics) that is necessary and sufficient to provide adequate correspondence between real systems and the morphological and genetic features of the models that are employed.

Family assessment: Systems theory and the genogram

General systems theory principles are used as a basis for assessment of a family system. The genogram is developed as a clear diagrammatic method of obtaining relevant information. Family genograms are demonstrated from case histories and the systems theoretical approach is utilized to interpret information. It is suggested that adoption of this assessment method will promote holistic health care for a child and his/her family.

Information-flow as a prerequisite for the conservation of negentropic systems. An application of the basic principles of general systems theory to social systems

Abstract The rationale behind this discussion is an attempt to apply the basic princrftles of thermodynamics to the operations of social systems. Since the second law of thermodynamics was criticized by Maxwell and his colleagues, the notion of entropy was introduced as being similar to the idea of uncertainty. In this paper I will try to explain how uncertainty can be removed to a certain extent by information-flow through a system, provided that one should consider the flow of information as that which does logical work to the recipient's state of readiness and that evolution can only take place in systems which operate on a certain level of openness.

General systems theory: Practical and theoretical implications for group intervention

General systems theory (GST) principles have particular relevance for the practice of group psychotherapy. The present paper involves an integration of the abstract conceptual principles of GST with more practical issues in the fields of group dynamics and group psychotherapy. The specific focus is upon a hierarchical array of boundary subsystems having object relations characteristics, any one of which may become the target system for the leader's group intervention.