Systems Theory Research Articles

Bringing Historical Management Theories to Life: An Experiential Exercise Using Generative AI

Foundational management theories, such as the Principles of Scientific Management, Bureaucratic Management, or Systems Theory, provide frameworks for understanding and organizing the extensive body of management knowledge. Despite their significance, students often find it difficult to grasp and apply historical concepts in today’s workplace. In this experiential exercise, we use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create an interactive chatbot through which students “interview” historical figures. Through this exercise, students achieve four key learning objectives: (a) demonstrating a critical understanding of historical management frameworks; (b) analyzing how historical, social, and economic contexts influenced management thinking; (c) evaluating the applicability of historical management frameworks to contemporary business settings; and (d) critically analyzing and interpreting information generated by AI tools to enhance AI literacy. The activity includes tailored open-access chatbots and resources to assist these learning outcomes across various class formats.

‘The end user takes the final decision’

ABSTRACTWhile social sciences are brimming with attention for the transformations brought about by AI and digital technology, the aspect of communication has received remarkably little attention. Niklas Luhmann's social system theory, which conceives social systems as constituted through ongoing communication, is particularly well equipped to make a relevant contribution. This paper investigates the Impact of AI on organisations as systems of decision‐communications, along the lines of four distinctions: decision premise–decision, system memory–environment, organisation system–interaction system and structural coupling–loose coupling. The deployment of AI is a reaction to the growing societal differentiation and the resulting future‐related contingency, and as such contributes to the viability of organisations as systems. Nevertheless, social systems theory explains how certain impacts of AI we witness, some of them potentially harmful to the viability of the organisation, are neither incidental nor temporal but are structurally related to the basic operations of organisations. A proposal is made how reflection loops can be introduced to counter some of these consequences.

Application of Crisp (Context-Responsive, Input, System, and Product Evaluation) Method to the Implementation of Differentiated Learning Models

Objective: The quality of Education is one of the strategic issues and entry points in achieving the SDGs. Evaluation of the learning model is a vital study to assess the success of an education program in developing countries. Theoretical Framework: Evaluative Analysis of the Success of Implementing the Differential Learning Model using the basis of CRISP (Context-Responsive, Input, System, and Product Evaluation) theory with integrated assessment. Method: This observational study uses an evaluative descriptive approach to examine the effectiveness of differentiated learning practices in Junior High School Driving Schools in East Manggarai. The research was conducted from March to October 2024, involving 416 respondents, including practitioners, supervisors, and stakeholders in the education sector. The collection uses questionnaire methods and structured interviews. Data analysis uses a quantitative approach using IBM SPSS software ver.25. Results and Discussion: The results of the study on 4 phases include parameters 1) Context-Responsive; 2) Input; 3) System; and 4) Product gets a positive perception from the assessors in the field; several issues that need attention, including program sustainability, program funding sustainability, socioeconomic conditions, human resource capacity, and the development of teaching methods, Research Implications: Evaluative analysis based on CRISP theory can be a role model that can reach and identify problems in implementing educational programs that are important on the agenda to achieve the SDGs. Originality/Value: The findings of this study can contribute as an evaluative model in assessing the success of a learning program in developing countries, especially in the development of differential-based methods in developing countries.

Systemic wisdom and complex strategic competition: a systems approach

Strategic competition is a reoccurring phrase in the foreign policy and national security community to describe the current relationship between the United States and China. However, strategic competition and the goals of such a competition are rarely defined. A clear definition of strategic competition is necessary to grasp its implications for the United States and the world. This is even more important as the strategic competition between the United States and China is complex. Applying complexity and systems theory to strategic competition, it is framed as an interaction between two complex systems in a complex international system. By drawing on the competencies of systemic wisdom, policymakers concerned with strategic competition can have a toolkit for better understanding the complexity of strategic competition. While complexity cannot be controlled nor put aside, working with the complex system dynamics of strategic competition can help the United States manage and succeed in strategic competition.

Bridging Worlds: Student Affairs Leaders as Catalysts for Connection

ABSTRACT This article explores the role of student affairs leaders as catalysts for connection in a global context. It examines the field’s evolution in South Africa, the UAE, Germany, and the USA, highlighting innovative practices and challenges. By employing Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological systems theory, we illustrate how student affairs leaders bridge the divides, offering comprehensive student support. In doing so, we hope to present a compelling vision for holistic partnerships in an era of conflict and disconnection.

Психологические факторы здоровья у молодых и пожилых лиц

<p>The article examines the problem of preserving and maintaining human health from the standpoint of the biopsychosocial approach, the theory of functional systems by P.K. Anokhin, the theory of development and functioning of higher mental functions, as well as the concept of cerebral information fields and the psychological information fields of the brain formed on their basis. The empirical part of the article focuses on studying of psychological factors affecting the health of young and elderly people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in a calm and post-stress state. The study reveals the features of the negative impact of stress on psychological health in young and elderly people with MCI, as well as highlights the factors contributing to the deterioration or maintenance of psychological health in different age groups. It was found that in a stressful situation, elderly people with MCI have a more differentiated reaction to stress compared to young people, and indicators of self-esteem and cognitive functions remain at the same level, while young people in a stressful situation demonstrate an undifferentiated reaction leading to personal maladaptation, deterioration of cognitive functions and greater severity of negative emotions (anxiety, fear, aggression, depression). The data obtained indicate a greater ability of elderly people with MCI to regulate their psychological health, compared with younger people, due to the formed positive stable attitude towards maintaining health.</p>

Strategies for Real-time Adjustment of Stimulation Patterns in Closed-loop Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinsons Disease: A Comprehensive Review

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that poses significant healthcare challenges worldwide. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proven effective for managing PD, particularly for patients with inadequate medication response. However, traditional high-frequency DBS systems lack the capability to adjust stimulation patterns in real time based on patient responses. In contrast, closed-loop DBS systems, which adjust stimulation based on recorded biomarkers, present a promising alternative that allows more flexible, on-demand electrical pulses delivery, offering possibility of achieving better therapeutic outcomes with less invasive stimulus. This review article explored various strategies for real-time adjustment of stimulation parameters in closed-loop DBS primarily based on electrophysiological biomarkers, particularly local field potentials (LFPs). We categorize these strategies into four categories: simple on-demand methods, control methods in systems theory, optimization or machine learning algorithms, and desynchronization approaches. By synthesizing existing literature, we provide a comprehensive overview of these strategies, highlighting contributions from multiple disciplines and the prospect of optimizing treatment for Parkinsons disease using closed-loop approach.

The Affecting Mechanism of High School Students’ Family Cohesion on Positive Episodic Foresight in Jiangxi Province, China

Positive episodic foresight is the main factor influencing students’ future achievement. Therefore, how to effectively develop students’ psychological ability to experience future positive events in advance has become the focus, and cordial emotional relationships among family members are related to positive episodic foresight. Therefore, this study adopts ecological systems theory with a sample of 219 high school students from 3 schools in Jiangxi Province, China (validity rate 95.217%) to investigate the relationship between family cohesion and positive episodic foresight; the relationship between emphatic concern, water personality, and positive episodic foresight, as well as the facilitating role of emphatic concern and water personality. The results confirm that family cohesion is positively related to positive episodic foresight; emphatic concern and water personality are positively associated with positive episodic foresight; and emphatic concern and water personality have a facilitating effect among high school students in Jiangxi Province, China. This suggests that cordial emotional relationships among family members, concern for others, helpfulness, and the concept of natural humanity are determinants of enhancing the psychological ability of high school students in international classes in Jiangxi Province, China, to anticipate positive future events. In addition, high school students need cordial emotional relationships among family members, as well as caring and helpful behaviors towards others and the notion of natural humanity to adequately promote their psychological ability to pre-experience future positive events. Finally, the findings provide important insights for enhancing positive episodic foresight.

The Impact of Family of Origin on Romantic Relationships: A Psychological Perspective

This review examines the influence of diverse family of origin factors on adult romantic relationships, concentrating on critical elements such as attachment styles, communication patterns, conflict resolution, family cohesion, family structure, and self-differentiation and self-regulation formed by early family experiences. Existing research reveals that early family dynamics significantly affect individuals' behaviours, beliefs, and satisfaction in romantic relationships during adulthood. The paper consolidates empirical findings from multiple studies, accentuating the role of secure and insecure attachment styles in determining romantic relationship satisfaction. It also investigates how family functions, specifically communication patterns, conflict management, and family cohesion, influence relationship outcomes. Additionally, the review highlights the degrees of self-differentiation and self-regulation influence the quality of intimate relationships. Psychological frameworks including attachment theory, family systems theory, and social learning theory offer the primary perspectives for comprehending these influences. The review also recognises critical deficiencies in the literature, including the requirement for more longitudinal studies and cross-cultural social class and gender comparisons. Overall, Individuals who grow up in nurturing, positive family environments with good parent-child interactions tend to have higher quality and more satisfying romantic relationships in adulthood. Studying on the impact of family of origin on romantic relationships can assist society in resolving family emotional conflicts and fostering harmony, it can likewise enrich the theoretical framework of family and emotional-related research in the academic field.

Applying PVEST to identify the diverse coping and identity resources with which DACAmented and undocumented latine students navigate their journeys to and through higher education.

Undocumented and DACAmented Latine high school graduates are enrolling in college at a low rate despite being eligible for in-state tuition in 25 U.S. states. More research is needed about the conditions that support students' journeys to and through their institutions. We conducted this qualitative study with nine Latine students who attended our small, public university in Washington to better understand how to support them throughout their educations and the inequities they confronted in K-12 schools that impact higher education experiences. Through applying the phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory in a thematic analysis of participants' interviews, we illuminated variable pathways to college, including differential access to supports and challenges in K-12 spaces, and how such supports/challenges may influence students' meaning-making and the coping strategies and identity development processes they engaged when confronting stressors in higher education (e.g., relying on strong academic identities, or, alternatively disengaging from school). Findings highlight the complex psychosocial processes Latine youth engage in throughout their academic journeys and ways to support them as they resist oppressive systems.

Competence Modelling From the Perspective of Complex Systems Theories: A Systematic Literature Review

This article aims to investigate how the notion of competence is conceptualised and modelled from the point of view of complex systems theories. Although the importance of competences and competency-based education is widely acknowledged, the concept of competence keeps evolving and it remains difficult to define it in today's constantly changing and uncertain VUCA world. Therefore, this study explores how the approach of complex systems, which is increasingly more often applied in educational research, can contribute to the definition of competence. The article presents a systematic review of 21 articles published in various databases in 2000-2023, revealing that from the perspective of complex systems, competence can be conceptualised both at the individual level and at the level of the whole system or organisation; it can follow a functionalist or contextual approach. Based on the research findings, it is assumed that in certain cases competence can be treated as emergence or even as an entire complex system, characterised by such properties as non-linearity, chaos, emergence, feedback loops, etc. Finally, this article reviews the variety of complexity-informed mathematical/computational and theoretical models utilised in the reviewed studies, the application of which opens up new avenues in overall educational research.

The systemic evolutionary theory of the origin of cancer (SETOC): an update

The Systemic Evolutionary Theory of the Origin of Cancer (SETOC) is a recently proposed theory founded on two primary principles: the cooperative and endosymbiotic process of cell evolution as described by Lynn Margulis, and the integration of complex systems operating in eukaryotic cells, which is a core concept in systems biology. The SETOC proposes that malignant transformation occurs when cells undergo a continuous adaptation process in response to long-term injuries, leading to tissue remodeling, chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately cancer. This process involves a maladaptive response, wherein the 'endosymbiotic contract’ between the nuclear-cytoplasmic system (derived from the primordial archaeal cell) and the mitochondrial system (derived from the primordial α-proteobacterium) gradually breaks down. This ultimately leads to uncoordinated behaviors and functions in transformed cells. The decoupling of the two cellular subsystems causes transformed cells to acquire phenotypic characteristics analogous to those of unicellular organisms, as well as certain biological features of embryonic development that are normally suppressed. These adaptive changes enable cancer cells to survive in the harsh tumor microenvironment characterized by low oxygen concentrations, inadequate nutrients, increased catabolic waste, and increased acidity. De-endosymbiosis reprograms the sequential metabolic functions of glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos). This leads to increased lactate fermentation (Warburg effect), respiratory chain dysfunction, and TCA cycle reversal. Here, we present an updated version of the SETOC that incorporates the fundamental principles outlined by this theory and integrates the epistemological approach used to develop it.

Exceptionally large fluctuations in orientational order: The lessons of large-deviation theory for liquid crystalline systems.

How condensed-matter simulations depend on the number of molecules being simulated (N) is sometimes itself a valuable piece of information. Liquid crystals provide a case in point. Light scattering and 2d-IR experiments on isotropic-phase samples display increasingly large orientational fluctuations ("pseudo-nematic domains") as the samples approach their nematic phase. The growing length scale of those locally ordered domains is readily seen in simulation as an ever-slower convergence of the distribution of orientational order parameters with N. But the rare-event character and exceptionally slow time scales of the largest fluctuations make them difficult to sample accurately. We show in this paper how taking a large-deviation-theory perspective enables us to leverage simulation-derived information more effectively. A key insight of the theory is that finding quantities such as orientational order parameters (extensive variables) is completely equivalent to deducing the conjugate (intensive) thermodynamic field required to equilibrate that amount of order-and that knowing the relationship between the two (the "equation of state") can easily be turned into knowing the relative free energy of that degree of order. A variety of well-known thermodynamic integration strategies are already founded on this idea, but instead of applying an artificially imposed external field, we use a priori statistical mechanical insights into the small and large-field limits to construct a simulation-guided, interpolated, equation of state. The free energies that result mostly need information from the most probable configurations, making the simulation process far more efficient than waiting for (or artificially generating) large fluctuations.

“Hey librarian, what can AI and analytics do for you”: a systematic literature review and sociotechnical perspective

PurposeThis study aims to provide an in-depth overview of current research on artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics applications in library operations, emphasizing their adoption’s technical and social implications.Design/methodology/approachThe study follows the PRISMA guidelines to synthesize existing research on AI and analytics in academic libraries. This review uses sociotechnical systems (STS) theory as a framework to evaluate the technical aspects and social dynamics involved in integrating these technologies.FindingsThe findings indicate that AI and analytics can significantly enhance library resource management, decision-making and user services. However, ethical, social and technical challenges, including staff training and collaboration, must be addressed to ensure responsible implementation.Originality/valueThis study provides the first STS-informed analysis focusing on applying AI and analytics within academic library operations. It offers actionable insights into these technologies’ unique applications and potential, bridging a gap in the literature on library-specific operational management.

Perception Development of L2 English and L3 Polish Coda Obstruent by L1 German Adult Multilinguals

Research into L3 phonological acquisition has grown in the past decade, yet perceptual studies remain scarce. Existing studies report complex interactions between the phonetic categories of multilinguals’ L1, L2 and L3, depending on investigated feature and stage of L3 learning. This small-scale study, grounded in Complex Dynamic Systems Theory, examines the development of coda obstruent perception in seven beginner learners of Polish as an L3 (aged 21–39), with German as their L1 and English as their L2. Over ten months of instructed L3 learning, participants were tested four times using a timed forced-choice goodness task in both L2 and L3. Additionally, three participants provided monthly data between the second and fourth testing. Analyses across the sample revealed a competitive relationship between L2 and L3 perception, with L2 accuracy declining as L3 accuracy improved. Individual data, however, indicated more varied patterns: while one learner followed the overall trend, another exhibited decreasing accuracy in both their L2 and L3, and the third maintained accurate L2 perception alongside more accurate yet increasingly variable L3 perception. These findings highlight the value of analyzing both overall trends and individual data to better understand multilingual speech perception development, and suggest that, with growing L3 experience, the newly learnt L3 may influence L2 perception of a phonological process shared in the L1 and marked in the L2.

Recurrences Reveal Shared Causal Drivers of Complex Time Series

Unmeasured causal forces influence diverse experimental time series, such as the transcription factors that regulate genes or the descending neurons that steer motor circuits. Combining the theory of skew-product dynamical systems with topological data analysis, we show that simultaneous recurrence events across multiple time series reveal the structure of their shared unobserved driving signal. We introduce a physics-based unsupervised learning algorithm that reconstructs causal drivers by iteratively building a recurrence graph with glasslike structure. As the amount of data increases, a percolation transition on this graph leads to weak ergodicity breaking for random walks—revealing the shared driver’s dynamics, even from strongly corrupted measurements. We relate reconstruction accuracy to the rate of information transfer from a chaotic driver to the response systems, and we find that effective reconstruction proceeds through gradual approximation of the driver’s dynamical attractor. Through extensive benchmarks against classical signal processing and machine learning techniques, we demonstrate our method’s ability to extract causal drivers from diverse experimental datasets spanning ecology, genomics, fluid dynamics, and physiology. Published by the American Physical Society 2025

Business environment and its impact on high-quality economic development: A configurational analysis of enhancement pathways.

The nexus between the business environment and high-quality economic development is pivotal for fostering sustainable growth. This study delves into their interrelationship, recognizing its profound practical significance. We have developed a comprehensive index system to evaluate high-quality economic development, encompassing four key dimensions: green development quality, robust economic growth, innovation dynamics, and equitable societal benefits. Concurrently, a business environment index system has been constructed, capturing the nuances of government functionality, social context, and market dynamics. Employing system theory and a configurational approach, this research utilizes the fsQCA method to decode the intricate mechanisms, dynamic pathways, and synergistic interactions among diverse elements within the business environment that influence high-quality economic development. The empirical findings underscore the substantial impact of the business environment on high-quality economic development, highlighting two primary catalyst pathways: the "Rule of Law-Government Efficiency" trajectory and the "Market-Led-Credit Environment" route. These pathways reveal that government efficiency, credit accessibility, legal frameworks, market fairness, and openness are instrumental in driving high-quality economic development. Conversely, inefficiencies in the market mechanism and governmental roles often result in suboptimal development trajectories. The study advocates for policy formulations that recognize and leverage regional distinctiveness, optimizing local resources and strengths to spur high-quality economic development tailored to each region's unique context.

Real-Time Systems and HIL Experiments for Power Electronic and Electric Energy Systems—Theory and Applications

Real-Time Systems and HIL Experiments for Power Electronic and Electric Energy Systems—Theory and Applications

The role of managing information about infidelity and differentiation of self in the adaptation of spouses after infidelity

Infidelity in marriage leaves a lasting mark not only on the relationship between two people but also affects the functioning of the entire family system. In psychological analyses, research on infidelity is dominated by approaches focusing on its negative consequences. These include, among others, the dissolution of the relationship, increased symptoms of depression, lowered self-esteem, and the emergence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Practical aspects are characteristic of studies where authors emphasize behaviours aimed at preventing infidelity in relationships. Relatively few publications are dedicated to identifying and discussing the psychological variables that may support adaptation after experiencing infidelity in a romantic relationship. The main goal of this article is to propose a new model of adaptation for couples after infidelity in marriage, based on the assumptions of systemic family theory. The specific aim is to present the results of research from the last decade that relate to the variables proposed in the model, such as self-differentiation and managing information about infidelity.

The Impact of Benevolent Sexism on Women’s Career Growth: A Moderated Serial Mediation Model

This study investigates how benevolent sexism impedes women’s career growth, focusing on the mediating roles of self-esteem and emotional exhaustion and the moderating role of career development strategies. Using a three-wave, time-lagged survey, data from 410 female employees across various industries in China were analyzed with SPSS 24.0 and Mplus 8.3. Results indicate that benevolent sexism negatively influences career growth via reduced self-esteem and increased emotional exhaustion. Moreover, career development strategies mitigate this adverse effect, weakening the relationship between benevolent sexism and career growth. Higher levels of career development strategies lessen the detrimental impact of benevolent sexism on women’s professional progress. These findings enrich Cognitive-Affective Personality System theory by clarifying the mechanisms through which benevolent sexism undermines career development. They also highlight the practical significance of adopting robust career strategies to promote workplace gender equality and offer empirical insights into the broader implications of benevolent sexism on women’s career advancement.