Systems Perspective Research Articles

A novel unbiased multi-variable grey model

PurposeThe multivariable grey model, a type of multi-output grey model, offers a unified representation of variables from a systemic perspective, carrying significant theoretical implications. However, traditional grey modeling methods generate errors, particularly the jump error from a difference equation to a differential equation. This paper aims to propose an unbiased multivariable grey model to eliminate these inherent errors.Design/methodology/approachThis paper begins by analyzing the sources of errors in the multivariate grey model and subsequently optimizes its parameters to achieve an unbiased outcome. The properties of the unbiased multivariable model are discussed and mathematically proven. The model’s unbiased nature is further validated using data. Finally, the unbiased multivariable grey model is applied to two case studies.FindingsResults indicate the unbiased model aligns completely with simulations and predictions of curves generated by the prediction formula of the multivariable grey model, eliminating its inherent bias. Numerical examples show that the proposed unbiased modeling method enhances the accuracy of the multivariable grey model.Originality/valueA novel unbiased multivariable grey model is introduced, supported by rigorous mathematical proofs of its properties. Additionally, two case studies compare this model with GM(1,1) and four other multivariable grey models.

The concept of resilience in economics: a comprehensive analysis and systematic review of economic literature

PurposeThe article seeks to identify what constitutes economic resilience and how it is conceptualized in economic theory and policy. It explores the nuances of resilience as the ability of an economic system to adapt, reorganize and recover from shocks such as recessions or crises.Design/methodology/approachThe article highlights the use of corpus linguistics methods and content analysis techniques to systematically analyse how economic resilience is discussed in the literature, providing a more objective and data-driven perspective on the topic.FindingsThe findings of the review are intended to help deepen the understanding of resilience in economic systems, with a focus on its implications for future research, policy development and economic planning. The authors emphasize the importance of resilience for sustainable and adaptable economies, particularly in light of global economic disruptions.Originality/valueThe article’s originality comes from its methodological innovation (using corpus linguistics), comprehensive review of economic resilience across multiple theories and its policy-oriented focus on improving economic systems’ adaptability to external shocks. It provides a fresh and systematic perspective that enriches the academic discussion on resilience, with clear implications for future research and policymaking.

Danske modalverber i en SFL-beskrivelse<i></i>

This article considers whether the Danish modal verbs can benefit from more semantic description in a systemic functional perspective. The interpersonal category modulation is predominantly expressed through modal verbs in Danish which is why modal verbs are the subject of this research. Modulation has been presented in different ways in Danish SFL-presentations (Andersen, Petersen & Smedegaard 2001, Andersen & Smedegaard 2005, Andersen & Holsting 2015) under more or less apparent inspiration from the SFL-description of English (Halliday 1994, Halliday & Matthiessen 2004, Halliday & Matthiessen 2013). Inspired by other functional founded descriptions (e.g. Bech 1951 and Hansen & Heltoft 2011) my aim is to further contribute by suggesting a more detailed systemic presentation of modulation which takes the semantic aspect of the modal verbs into account as well as how the inventory of modal verbs for example include three different verbs within the category ‘obligation’ (burde, måtte and skulle). In the article, I propose how Gunnar Bech’s dimensions can be integrated in the system network of modality cf. Andersen & Holsting 2015 and thereby be used for developing a more nuanced description of modulation in a Danish SFL-perspective. The integration and its improvement opportunities are discussed in the article.

Towards a solution to the global healthcare crisis: using hierarchical decomposition and theory of constraints (TOC) to address the healthcare supply chain wicked problem

ABSTRACT Healthcare is facing a crisis globally, with rising demand and technological advances escalating costs and outpacing supply. The healthcare supply chain (HCSC) encompasses various links, from primary and specialty care to hospitals, which often fail to function quickly, seamlessly, or cost-effectively individually or together. Indeed, the complexities of healthcare make this a “wicked problem” without easy solutions. Research has typically focused on individual links in the supply chain oversimplifying and neglecting their interdependence. Key characteristics – such as the system’s hierarchical structure, diverse stakeholder involvement, interdependencies among links, the importance of timeliness, and the need to cope with complexity, change, and uncertainty – are frequently overlooked. Addressing the healthcare crisis requires a pragmatic approach to improving service delivery. This paper advocates for a systems perspective, allowing a breakdown of the problem into manageable units of analysis based on the system hierarchy, viewing each link in the HCSC as integral to the whole. We outline a multimethodology that capitalises on HCSC characteristics to enhance patient flow and provide timely, high-quality, and cost-effective care. It emphasises classifying, prioritising, and synchronising treatment based on urgency. The paper also discusses existing solutions to the system’s components and presents a comprehensive strategy for the overall issue.

Towards a systems perspective in policy design: An analysis of how the endogenous feedback structure of the Norwegian salmon aquaculture industry impacts policy outcomes

Towards a systems perspective in policy design: An analysis of how the endogenous feedback structure of the Norwegian salmon aquaculture industry impacts policy outcomes

Exosome-based platforms for treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Exosome-based platforms for treatment of multiple sclerosis.

State-of the-art and future perspective in co-culture systems for tendon engineering

State-of the-art and future perspective in co-culture systems for tendon engineering

Emission factors and driving forces of provincial-level CO2 from electricity production and consumption in China from 2013 to 2020.

Emission factors and driving forces of provincial-level CO2 from electricity production and consumption in China from 2013 to 2020.

Meta-functions and processes in Kurdish language - from the systemic functional linguistic perspective

This paper entitled (Meta-functions and processes in Kurdish language - from the systemic functional linguistic perspective) is an attempt to analyze and discuss each of the topics of meta-functions and processes in Kurdish language within the framework of systemic functional theory. In this theory, the meaning of language is the function it performs in use. That is, function and meaning reflect each other, and the meaning of each utterance is the same as the function that the utterance sees in its surroundings. In this theory, we also define the types of actions in sentences through the system of transitivity. Transitivity shows how language users embody intellectual and inner images in the form of language and explain them to the world around them. This is part of the intellectual meta-function, that is, language classifies an infinite number of events within a certain number of processes through Transitivity.

세계문학의 생태학: 알렉산더 비크로프트의 이론을 중심으로

The most important issue in the discussion of world literature today is whether it is possible to diversify the ecosystems of world literature against the hypercentrality of English as the world language and the overcommercialization of the world literature. This can be posed as the question of whether world literature should be viewed from a market-oriented economic perspective or an ecological perspective of diversity. Many world literature theorists, such as Pascale Casanova and Franco Moretti, have explained world literature from an economic and systemic perspective by focusing on the transnational movement of literature in the modern world system and the process of compromise between western literature and non-western literature. Understanding the formation of world literature as a process of cultural compromise and translation between center and periphery has often bypassed the existence of many world literatures that cannot be accounted for by such processes. In recent years, theories of world literature have emerged that attempt to explain typological similarities in literature without relying on concepts of compromise, negotiation, and translation. Alexander Beecroft proposes an alternative model that explores the similarities of literary types in the historical evolution of world literature and emphasizes the ecology of world literature. He seeks to explain the ecology of world literature through the various types of world literature from antiquity to the present. This paper will critically examine Beecroft’s argument and point out that his ecology of world literature is based on the modes of economic exchange of the world system.

Sabotage, feeding and collusion after bariatric surgery. And the winner is . . .? A psychodynamic and systemic perspective on sabotage and feeding after bariatric surgery by means of a case series analysis.

In the context of bariatric surgery, negative social support has recently been conceptualized in terms of sabotage, feeding behaviour and collusion undermining a person's effort to lose or maintain weight. While sabotage and feeding behaviour are thought to be motivated consciously, collusion is understood as a bond, by which protagonists are tied together sharing an unresolved and unconscious psychological issue such as dependency, domination and submission, and so on. Drawing upon a systemic and psychodynamic understanding, we analysed interviews with patients (n = 10) who had undergone bariatric surgery and their partners (n = 10) focusing on support. We selected interviews (n = 4 + 4), illustrative of sabotage, feeding, collusion and co-evolution based on the comprehensiveness of information, their emblematic quality and suitability to delineate these phenomena. Our analysis confirms that negative social support can be considered as an attempt to reestablish a level of homeostasis within the couple. However, rather than being intentional, we consider that sabotage and feeding behaviour are better conceptualised as consequences of collusive relationships.

Recognizing the Traffic State of Urban Road Networks: A Resilience-Based Data-Driven Approach

Accurate and timely traffic network state recognition is crucial in supporting intelligent transportation system (ITS) urban traffic control and guidance. Despite their significance, existing methods for traffic state recognition often fall short of practical demands owing to the dynamic nature and unpredictability of traffic flows and the high costs associated with sample processing. This paper introduces a novel resilience-based approach for classifying and identifying link-level traffic states in urban road networks by focusing on these challenges. This approach has two phases: 1) the classification phase introduces a new operational resilience index and uses a hybrid K-means++-fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering method for traffic state labeling; and 2) the identification phase employs real-time automatic vehicle identification (AVI) data and a transformer-based model to determine current traffic conditions. A case study conducted by Shaoxing validated the effectiveness of this approach. The results show that the objective function value of the hybrid clustering method is 0.168, with a classification performance metric Xie–Beni (XB) index of 0.137 and a Davies–Bouldin index (DBI) of 12.39, indicating high-quality clustering. A comparative analysis with support vector machines, convolutional neural networks, and long short-term memory (LSTM) models revealed the superior identification performance of the transformer-based model, which achieved 93.35% accuracy (increases of 21.44%, 13.01%, and 5.89%, respectively). The proposed method offers a practical reference for real-time traffic condition monitoring from a resilience perspective in traffic management systems.

Measuring the holistic performance of food and agricultural systems: a systematic review

Measuring the performance of food and agricultural systems is critical for their transformation towards a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future. To guide decisions and ensure agrifood systems deliver multiple functions, a holistic systems perspective is needed. Previous reviews of assessment approaches have focused primarily on the farm level and have been limited in their scope and definition of what it means to be holistic. In this review, we describe and evaluate 206 approaches based on four key characteristics of holistic systems assessment: (1) measuring multiple dimensions of performance, (2) integrating multiple stakeholder perspectives, (3) evaluating emergent system properties, and (4) collecting and presenting data in ways which reveal interactions, synergies, and trade-offs, so that they can be understood and considered when designing solutions. We find that there is recognition of the need for holistic assessment and a growing number of assessments are published each year. However, many assessments limit themselves to examining multiple dimensions of performance, neglecting the remaining three key characteristics of holistic assessment. While a systemic perspective is often acknowledged as important, only 14% of assessments considered synergies and trade-offs between metrics and 26% addressed emergent system properties. There is a trend toward more systemic framings such as agroecology and the inclusion of emergent properties. We conclude that there will never be one assessment approach that will work for everyone, can measure everything, and be used everywhere because of the diversity of agrifood systems and assessment objectives. Improving holistic assessment of agrifood systems is not a question of improving existing assessments. The gap to be addressed is the lack of methods for designing effective holistic systems assessments. This gap can be closed by providing clear guidance on how to navigate the abundance of existing approaches and develop assessments that meet specific needs. A meta-framework for guiding the development of holistic systems assessments, proposed in this review, can offer such guidance.

Deciphering Perspectives: A European survey on clinical decision support tools for dementia and Alzheimer's disease.

Technological advancements like digital monitoring tools, disease modifying therapies and artificial intelligence have been shown to improve the clinical management of neurocognitive diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). To enhance implementation in daily practice, users' input is essential in the technology development process. This study aimed to determine clinician's perspective of clinical decision support systems (CDSS) in the management of dementia and AD. A survey was conducted targeting clinicians practicing in the field of dementia across Europe. A sixty-five-item digital questionnaire was administered, and opinions were enquired across the domains of diagnosis, disease modifying therapy and prognosis, including factors that affect tool implementation and utilization. Eighty-four clinicians (including specialist physicians, psychologists and nurses) responded to this survey, and more than 50% had no knowledge or experience with CDSS. Most of the respondents reported the ability to predict the likelihood of AD as the most important diagnostic function. It was surprising to find the middling responses for the ability to predict amyloid positivity. The majority indicated assessment of treatment eligibility for disease-modifying therapy as vital, and the ability to predict cognitive and functional decline as the most important prognostic functions. Data accuracy and ease of use were noted as most necessary to facilitate CDSS adoption and implementation. Findings from this study contribute to the future development of CDSS in this field, especially regarding the approval and imminent use of disease modifying therapies, a comprehensive tool that is precise and user friendly would improve clinical decisions and efficiency.

Rethinking work, with the pandemic disruption: metatheorizing with world hypotheses and systems changes

PurposeAs economies have reopened after the COVID-19 pandemic, resumption of pre-pandemic normalcy in work has not been uniform. For each worker and leader, an essential question is whether the world of work has changed irreversibly, or if prior careers and business models can be resumed. A philosophical inquiry into theories of the world of work provides a framing that separates everyday changes from systems changes.Design/methodology/approachA metatheoretical approach to world theories from 1942 is revisited. Attention is drawn to systems of knowledge along the dimensions of analytic-deductive treatments, and dispersive-integrative treatments. Socio-Technical Systems relate to Organicism, and Socio-Ecological Systems relate to Contextualism. Reworking a processual philosophy, an alternative World Hypothesis is proposed.Findings(Con)texturalism-dyadicism reframes causal texture theory as (1) rhythmic pacing; (2) dyadic diachrony; and (3) transformative reifying. New insights into the effects with the onset and passing of the pandemic disruption are gained.Research limitations/implicationsUpdating systems theories of socio-technical and socio-ecological perspectives invokes a post-colonial constructivist philosophy that appreciates roots in American pragmatism, ecological anthropology, and Chinese philosophy of science. The emphasis of systems rhythms prioritizes a processual orientation, compatible with a yinyang material-immaterial onto-epistemology.Practical implicationsAs the world recovers from the disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, the changed nature of work is only one of many aspects that been altered. Systems perspectives both of parts inside an organization (i.e. socio-technical individuals in groups) and wholes alongside other wholes (i.e. socio-ecological groups co-responding with their (con)textures) are not independent, but interrelated. Disruption of work systems may result in only incremental adaptation for some, with transformative shifts in world theory for others. Recognizing that organizations change from within, persistent pathologies may be diagnosed.Originality/valueSystems theories of work from the 1960s were based on pragmatism from the 1940s. The metatheoretical contextualism of Stephen C. Pepper is complemented by a 21st century constructivist philosophy that is post-colonial and non-anthropocentric. Reifying organizational systems theories for audiences founded on a Western philosophy of science requires extended explanations bridging over to a non-Western (i.e. Classical Chinese) lineage.

Systemic Creative Problem-Solving: On the Poverty of Ideas and the Generative Power of Prototyping

In this paper, I argue against the prevailing cognitivist view of creativity, proposing instead a systemic approach, and illustrate how from such a systemic perspective, creative problem-solving can be investigated under laboratory conditions. A cognitivist approach explains creativity from an ideation ground zero and assumes a diffusion model of ideas. In such a model, the explanandum is an initial idea, formed at a given moment in time, a position that implicitly promotes creative exceptionalism (to explain so-called Big-C creativity compared to little-c creativity) and the concomitant quest to discover the equally exceptional neural substate that ‘explains’ it. Borrowing from science and technology studies, I propose instead a translation model of ideas that proceeds on the basis of interactivity and prototyping. In this model, the explanandum is the resulting dialogue between people and prototypes (treated symmetrically as actants in a system of creation). I outline a methodology that emphasises the co-determination of ideation and the material enactment of ideas in generating creative solutions, illustrated by a study of insight problem-solving. This approach shifts the focus from exceptional cognitive abilities to the material and interactive processes that underpin creative problem-solving.

Inharmonic Lifestyles in the City of Arequipa: Economy, Ecology and Complexity, a Reflection on SDG 12

Objective: This research aims to analyze the predominant lifestyles in the Arequipa region and their influence on regional sustainability. It seeks to understand how these styles impact the homeostasis and metabolization of the territory, and how they can be aligned with the sustainable consumption and production modalities promoted by Sustainable Development Goal 12, promoting development that respects planetary boundaries and focuses on social equity. Theoretical framework: The conceptual framework of the research is based on Complexity Sciences, which integrate social, economic and environmental perspectives. The behavioral patterns entrenched in the economic model of homo economicus and its role in the current systemic crisis are analyzed. In addition, Bioeconomy is used as an approach to propose regenerative strategies that prioritize quality of life and ecological sustainability. Method: The methodological design adopts a qualitative and interdisciplinary approach, which includes bibliographic review, analysis of secondary data and critical observation. This method allows to explore the complex dynamics between lifestyles, economic structures and ecological capacities of Arequipa, identifying sustainable alternatives based on Bioeconomy and systemic regeneration. Results and discussion: The research reveals that lifestyles in Arequipa present unsustainable patterns of consumption and production, which contribute to the environmental and social degradation of the region. However, opportunities are identified to implement regenerative policies based on Bioeconomy and the principles of Complexity Sciences. These strategies would allow to promote sustainable development that reconciles the economic, social and environmental dimensions. Implications of the research: The study provides a comprehensive framework for the design of public policies aimed at sustainable development. By addressing the interconnection between social and natural systems, the research offers practical solutions to transform Arequipa into a resilient region, with high quality of life and sustainable practices. Originality/value: The research provides an innovative approach by combining Bioeconomy with Complexity Sciences, proposing a non-linear methodology that redefines traditional development paradigms. This approach encourages the appreciation of life from a systemic perspective, promoting ecological and social regeneration as pillars of sustainable development in Arequipa.

Systemic impacts of low-carbon transition policies: co-designing potential leverage points to mitigate housing and energy vulnerabilities in Innsbruck

ABSTRACT Decarbonizing the building sector is a key priority in the European energy transition. To boost renovation rates and phase out fossil fuel-based heating, policies primarily target the promotion of energy efficiency. However, prioritizing technology-driven solutions for low-carbon energy transitions raises intersectional issues, risking the exacerbation of energy and housing vulnerabilities. This paper examines synergies and trade-offs between climate neutrality and social justice, advocating for deliberative democracy and participation in co-designing policy interventions. We focus on the city of Innsbruck, where rents and shares of fossil fuel-based heating systems are among the highest in Austria. Our data builds on stakeholder and policy analysis, and participatory systems mapping in the context of citizens’ deliberation panels. We identify structural conditions that increase exposure to vulnerability, particularly among tenants and low-income households. From a systemic perspective, we demonstrate how rising rents and energy costs significantly strain disposable household income and reinforce dynamics among income, stress, renunciation, and mental health. We discuss the shortcomings of a narrow policy focus on energy efficiency, which may hinder efforts to alleviate energy poverty and lead to adverse distributional impacts on vulnerable groups. Finally, we identify potential leverage points for socially just policy interventions.

Configuracionismo; paradigma del siglo XXI: una visión sistémica pedagógica en la práctica educativa

Abstract This opinion article aims to analyse configurationism as a paradigm of the 21st century from a systemic pedagogical perspective in educational practice. As well as the benefits that this paradigm brings to the improvement of contemporary education. Education in Mexico demands necessary revisions that inevitably promote progress, aspiring to a perfection that, like a distant bird, is always glimpsed in each participant if they diligently fulfil the tasks of their role. From the very beginning, political, social and cultural circumstances, especially the desire to match the progress of other developing nations, have defined the limits within which professional growth must be approached and facilitated. Learning is a changing and arduous journey, beyond the simple transmission of data; it is a quest, a navigating of the river of knowledge to understand and improve educational methodologies from a holistic perspective. This strategy recognises that knowledge does not flourish in solitude, but in a garden of interactions between learners, educators, digital tools and the cultural environment. Configurationism posits that each element of the educational scaffolding shapes unique learning experiences, demanding adaptability, universality and contextual relevance. In a world where innovation constantly reconfigures interactions with knowledge, this concept proposes tools and notions for building educational environments that meet individual and collective needs, thus seeding a future of inclusive progress. Keywords: Configurationism, paradigm, systemic, pedagogical.

A Systems Thinking Approach to Understand the Impacts of Pesticides on the Great Barrier Reef Ecosystems

ABSTRACTThe health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef ecosystems are affected by complex dynamics and interconnected processes. A systems thinking approach can aid to comprehensively understand the past, current and future system behaviour, thereby informing effective decision‐making. A qualitative conceptual model was developed based on the theory of systems thinking approach and critical literature reviews, giving consideration to the complex non‐linear feedbacks that determine the structure and behaviour of the system. The model indicates that the feedback structure of the system is governed by agricultural production, pesticide applications, pesticide residues, water quality improvement policies and climate change. The findings highlight the inherent challenges of achieving water quality goals in a complex and dynamic environment, constantly influenced by many factors (e.g., climate change). This underscores the critical need for ongoing research, adaptation and a shift towards a systems perspective, enabling decision makers to avoid the unintended consequences emerging from linear thinking, thereby initiating more flexible and adaptive management strategies for saving this iconic system.