Systems Theory Research Articles

Exploring the impact of forced teleworking on counterproductive work behavior: the role of event strength and work-family conflict

PurposeMost employees are forced to telework due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brings novel, disruptive, and critical challenges both in work and life. Based on event system theory and equity theory, this research explores how and when forced teleworking event strength (i.e. novelty, disruption, and criticality) affects employees’ work and life-related outcomes.Design/methodology/approachWe conducted two studies to test the hypothesized moderated mediation model (Study 1: an experiment survey, N = 141; Study 2: a time-lagged survey, N = 243) with employees forced to telework from China.FindingsThe results largely support our hypotheses. Study 1 indicates that the manipulation of forced teleworking event strength (high vs low) is effective, and the main effect of forced teleworking event strength on work-family conflict is significant. Moreover, Study 2 shows that work-family conflict mediates the relationship between forced teleworking event strength (i.e. novelty, disruption, and criticality) and counterproductive work behavior (CWB). Furthermore, perceived overqualification positively moderates the relationship between work-family conflict and CWB. In detail, the relationship between work-family conflict and CWB becomes stronger when perceived overqualification is higher.Originality/valueThis research provides a new perspective on how forced teleworking event strength impacts CWB and advances the literature on the relevant theories.

Multi-objective optimization, shrinkage and fracture properties of unsaturated polyester resin modified concrete for bridge deck pavement based on system theory

For the purpose of fabricating unsaturated polyester modified concrete (UPMC) with excellent shrinkage and fracture properties for bridge deck pavement, the optimization design of mix proportion and enhancement mechanism analysis were implemented based on system theory. Firstly, for unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) subsystem, the viscosity, mechanical properties and droplet-size distribution were analyzed to determine the types and dosage of auxiliary additives after emulsification treatment; Next, for UPMC mortar slave-system, the optimization design was implemented through the combination of experimental analysis and hybrid multi-attribute ellipsoidal decision of grey-target (HMEDG) model; Subsequently, for UPMC main-system, the optimal proportion was determined utilizing orthogonal design test. Finally, the variation law and enhancement mechanism on fracture properties and shrinkage characteristics of UPMC was analyzed by combining macroscopic test, thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results demonstrated that 2.0 wt%BPO+1.0 wt%DMA and meta-benzene types UPR were utilized as auxiliary additives for UPMC based on the results of HMEDG models. The demulsified and cured WUP might supplement the interior moisture losses based on humidity compensation, and substantially constrain the evaporation loss inside the matrix, upgrading the hydration degree and facilitating the generation of hydration products. The introduction of 3 %-6 % waterborne-UPR (WUP) would improve 28d-fracture toughness within approximately 23.33 %-49.32 %, and reduce the shrinkage deformation by roughly 28–43 % through inducing the crack tip stress redistribution against the initiation and propagation of interior microcracks and enhancing the homogenization and densification.

Effect of Rural-to-Urban Migration on Family Dynamics in Mexico

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of rural-to-urban migration on family dynamics in Mexico. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Rural - urban migration in Mexico has significantly impacted family dynamics, leading to changes in family structure, economic conditions, and social relationships. Migrants often shift from extended family networks to more nuclear family setups, which can alter traditional family roles and support systems. While migration typically improves economic opportunities and educational access, it also introduces challenges such as emotional stress from separation, difficulties in maintaining family ties, and adapting to urban cultural norms. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Family systems theory, ecological systems theory & social exchange theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the effect of rural-to-urban migration on family dynamics in Mexico. Practitioners should develop and implement targeted support programs that address the specific needs of migrant families, such as counseling services, role-specific training, and digital communication tools. Policymakers should create inclusive urban policies that address the challenges faced by migrant families, such as housing affordability, access to education, and social services.

Impact of Structured Physical Activity on Attention Span in Young Children in Ethiopia

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of structured physical activity on attention span in young children in Ethiopia. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Impact of structured physical activity on the attention span of young children in Ethiopia reveals several key findings. The studies indicate that regular, organized physical activities significantly enhance children's attention spans, leading to improved focus and cognitive performance in educational settings. These activities help in developing better self-regulation skills, which are crucial for maintaining attention during tasks. The research also highlights that children who engage in structured physical exercises show fewer signs of hyperactivity and distractibility compared to those who do not participate in such programs. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Cognitive load theory, self-determination theory & ecological systems theory may be used to anchor future studies on the impact of structured physical activity on attention span in young children in Ethiopia. The recommendations for integrating structured physical activities into educational curricula offer a practical contribution by providing actionable steps for educators to enhance children's attention span and cognitive development. The policy recommendations contribute uniquely by emphasizing the need for supportive educational policies that mandate and fund structured physical activities.

Unveiling the impact of the congruence between artificial intelligence and explorative learning on supply chain resilience

PurposeDrawing upon socio-technical system theory, this study intends to investigate the effects of the congruence and incongruence between artificial intelligence (AI) and explorative learning on supply chain resilience as well as the moderating role of organizational inertia.Design/methodology/approachUsing survey data collected from 170 Chinese manufacturing firms, we performed polynomial regression and response surface analyses to test our hypotheses.FindingsWe find that the congruence between AI and explorative learning enhances firms’ supply chain resilience, while the incongruence between these two factors impairs their supply chain resilience. In addition, compared with low–low congruence, high–high congruence between AI and explorative learning improves supply chain resilience to a greater extent. Moreover, organizational inertia attenuates the positive influence of the congruence between AI and explorative learning on supply chain resilience, while it aggravates the negative influence of the incongruence between these two factors on supply chain resilience.Originality/valueOur study expands the literature on supply chain resilience by demonstrating that the congruence between a firm’s AI (i.e. technical aspect) and explorative learning (i.e. social aspect) boosts its supply chain resilience. More importantly, our study sheds new light on the role of organizational inertia in moderating the congruent effect of AI and explorative learning, thereby extending the boundary condition for socio-technical system theory in the supply chain resilience literature.

Using complex systems theory to comprehend the coordinated control effects of PM2.5 and O3 in Yangtze River Delta industrial base in China

Using complex systems theory to comprehend the coordinated control effects of PM2.5 and O3 in Yangtze River Delta industrial base in China

A framework for extending co-creative communication models to sustainability research

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) present a challenge due to their potential for conflicting objectives, which hinders their effective implementation. In order to address the complexity of sustainability issues, a framework capable of capturing the specificity of diverse sustainability issues while offering a common methodology applicable across contexts is required. Co-creative communication can be regarded as a key source of uncertainty within functional systems, as it can be instrumental in realizing and sustaining sustainability. In this regard, the studies in Constructive approaches to Co-creative Communication (CCC), particularly those employing artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies such as computational social science and innovation studies, hold significant value for both theoretical and applied sustainability research. However, existing CCC frameworks cannot be directly applied to sustainability research. This work bridges this gap by proposing a framework that outlines a general approach to establishing formalized definitions of sustainability from the lens of communication. This approach enables the direct application of CCC models to sustainability studies. The framework is based on systems theory and the methodologies of artificial intelligence, including computational/symbolic modeling and formal methods. This framework emphasizes the social function of co-creative communication and the interaction between the innovation process and the sustainability of the system. It can be concluded that the application of our framework enables the achievements of CCC to be directly applied to sustainability research. Researchers from different disciplines are therefore able to establish their own specific definitions of sustainability, which are tailored to their particular concerns. Our framework lays the groundwork for future sustainability studies that employs CCC, facilitating the integration of CCC insights into sustainability research and application. The outcomes of computational creativity research based on AI technologies, such as distributed artificial intelligence and self-organizing networks, can deepen the understanding of sustainability mechanisms and drive their practical applications. Furthermore, the functional role of co-creative communication in societal sustainability proposed in this work offers a novel perspective for future discussions on the evolutionary adaptation of co-creative communication.

The Challenges of Conflict Transformation, Peacebuilding and Education Towards Intractable Conflicts: The Youth Involvement in North-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Peacebuilding and transformation are essential in creating a peaceful environment, in responding to conflicts and in promoting good relationships for social harmony. This paper establishes the challenges to transformation and peacebuilding in dealing with conflicts and violence among young people as it explores the strategies for conflict transformation and peacebuilding in North Kivu province. It looks at how these tools can help the youths and the communities to break away from violence and work towards peace. The study is based on the systems theory in general and confict transformation in particular how to train young generations to get out of conflicts and violence in order to preapre a bright future. Thus, the paper triangulates the systems theory, transformation, peacebuilding and the intergroup contact. From the participatory action research design, the paper provides resources in the struggle against intractable conflicts and subsequent violence for peacemaking. The paper establishes ubuntu as a starting point for conflict transformation, peacebuilding and in restoring peace and peaceful cohabitation among the youth in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

“But Did You Die?”: Intimate Partner Violence as a Social Determinant of Health

Many Black women experience worsening abuse; however, there is a significant number of women experiencing non-physical forms of abuse, what I term hidden abuse. In one in five domestic violence cases, the fatal or life-threatening event was the first episode of physical violence the woman experienced from their partner, suggesting that some Black women die before they receive help. Violence against Black women requires a systems approach that redresses resource inequities. I attempt to expand upon fundamental cause theory, a systems theory used by social science researchers, to show that intimate partner violence is a social determinant of health. I apply this theory to an autoethnographic case study of hidden abuse. Implications for Social Work research, practice, and policy include developing, advocating for, and evaluating programs and policies that increase financial instability, affordable housing, and access to community networks and social support for victims of violence.

Analyzing the Kuralay-II equation: bifurcation, chaos, and sensitivity insights through conformable derivative and Jacobi elliptic function expansion

This study explores the intricate dynamics of the Kuralay-II equation by employing the conformable derivative. Using the Galilean transformation, we can establish a dynamical system related to the equation. We investigate bifurcation methods in this derived system using planar dynamical systems theory. By introducing a perturbed term, we thoroughly investigate the possibility of chaotic behaviors in the Kuralay-II equation using comprehensive two-phase portraiture. Through careful analysis, we have determined that even small changes in the initial conditions have little impact on the stability of the solution, which has been confirmed by employing the Runge–Kutta method. In addition, we obtain exact solutions for the Kuralay-II equation by the Jacobi elliptic function expansion method. Graphical results of some solutions are showcased, offering a comprehensive evaluation using MATLAB across various dimensions. This study has yielded significant findings, such as the discovery of bifurcation points, the determination of conditions for chaos, and the analysis of stability under perturbations. These results have enhanced our understanding of the behavior of the Kuralay-II equation.

Dynamical Systems Characterisation and Reduced Order Modelling of Thermoacoustics in a Lean Direct Injection (LDI) Hydrogen Combustor

Abstract In this study, the thermoacoustic instabilities of partially premixed hydrogen flames in a lean direct injection (LDI) multi-cluster combustor are characterised using dynamical systems theory. The combustor is operated at a range of bulk velocities (30 - 90 m/s) and equivalence ratios(0.2-0.6), and time-resolved pressure oscillations and integrated OH* chemiluminescence measurements were taken. The thermoacoustic system reveals a variety of dynamical states in pressure such as period-1 Limit Cycle Oscillation (LCO) with a single characteristic frequency, period-2 LCO with two characteristic frequencies, intermittent, quasi-periodic and chaotic states as either bulk velocity or equivalence ratio is varied. At a bulk velocity of 30 m/s, as the equivalence ratio is gradually decreased from 0.6 to 0.2, the dynamical behaviour follows a sequence from an intermittent state to a period-1 LCO, then to a quasi-periodic state, and eventually reaches a chaotic state. As the equivalence ratio is decreased for a bulk velocity of 60 m/s, the pressure oscillations evolve from a period-2 LCO to quasi-periodic state before flame blows off. The emergence of period-2 and quasi-periodic states indicates the presence of strong non-linear interactions among the cavity acoustic modes. The emergence of period-2 and quasi-periodic states indicates strong non-linear interactions among the cavity acoustic modes. These modes and their spatial behaviour are investigated using a Helmholtz solver, showing that hydrogen flames can excite a wide range of cavity acoustic modes

Theories to Guide Children Development and Their Impact on Early Childhood Education

The mind of a child is complex. A number of developmental theories help educators understand this complexity in order to better deal with it and guide the child’s development. Many theorists have been influential to the child development and education fields. The various theorists in child development have come up with ideas and innovative ways to work with and understand the development process of children. The developmental theories of the past and also the emerging theories encompass cognitive, social, physical, and other aspects of human development which are represented as stages or focus on a specific area (Woolfolk & Perry, 2012). This article describes the theories of development and its greatest impact on early childhood development education. This article also discusses such as theories, and theoretical concepts. it focuses on six theories which are behavioral child development theories, Psycho-social theory, Piaget's cognitive developmental theory, Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological systems theory, and Kohlberg's moral development theory. The article concludes with some recommendations for parents and educators.

Contribution of Coordination Theories to the Determination of Human Factors Associated With Operating Room Perceived Performance.

The efficient and fluid organization of surgical interventions in an operating room (OR) and operating suite (OS) is important as these are among the most expensive units to run in medical-surgical facilities. The complexity of OS organization requires careful coordination, defined here as the directing of individuals' efforts toward achieving common and explicitly recognized goals. There is currently sparse literature on OS coordination, especially in the French context. This study aimed to respond to this gap by reporting on the coordination mechanisms associated with the perceived performance of OS across 4 facilities in an urban setting in France. We used a qualitative comparative case study based on ethnographic methodology to explore 4 facilities (2 teaching, 1 general, and 1 private). Several investigation techniques were used for data collection (semistructured interviews, participant and nonparticipant observations, and informal interviews) in the OR, the OS, the regulation council (dedicated to adapting the necessary resources to specific procedures and patients' health status), and the OS council (dedicated to strategic and operational OS transformations and adaptations, and responsible for finding solutions to organizational problems). Analysis was guided by Okhuysen and Bachky's theoretical framework on coordination and multi-team systems theory. Data were compared across the 4 facilities and triangulated using the different techniques to ensure coherence and accuracy. Overall, 48 interviews with health care providers and hospital managers and 200 hours of direct observations were performed. The OR exhibited a high degree of coordination, whereas improved perception of performance in the OS depended on managerial competency, trust, and authority. Perceived performance in the regulation council and OS council, on the other hand, depended on the identification of formal objectives by all stakeholders and the development of common understanding (developing agreement, direct information sharing, creating common perspective, substitution, bringing groups together, and storing of knowledge). Based on existing literature on multi-team systems (as represented in the OS organization), this study identifies success factors influencing OS coordination. These include the OS manager's leadership skills; the identification of formal system objectives; and professional differentiation between stakeholders (absence/decrease of a sense of belonging to a multi-team system). This differentiation was related to the high degree of specialization within OS teams, each bringing different norms, cultures, and contingencies that induce dissonance in organization and task performance. Interventions targeting these success factors might improve coordination, and thus performance, in the OS.

Sociotechnical analysis of factors influencing IoT adoption in healthcare: A systematic review

This paper responds to previous calls for a deeper sociotechnical understanding of Internet of Things (IoT) adoption within healthcare. Through a systematic literature review, it synthesizes existing empirical research on the factors influencing IoT adoption, identifying 94 distinct factors grouped into 24 themes. By leveraging sociotechnical systems theory, the paper thoroughly analyzes these factors and proposes a specialized sociotechnical systems framework tailored specifically to IoT adoption in healthcare settings. This study underscores the current dearth of empirical research in this area and emphasizes the need for more studies, particularly those focused on the actual adoption processes of IoT solutions in healthcare contexts. By addressing these gaps, the review aims to significantly contribute to the literature, offering a novel sociotechnical perspective on IoT adoption that complements and enriches prior reviews that have predominantly focused on technical aspects.

Research on the Construction and Mapping Model of Knowledge Organization System Driven by Standards

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and enterprise digital transformation, the standardization organization, storage and management of semantic knowledge in computers have become the current research focus. As the core theory of knowledge system construction, knowledge organization (KO) provides theoretical support for the study of semantic knowledge organization and representation, among which knowledge organization system (KOS) is the important tool of semantic organization. At present, many scholars have carried out research from different perspectives of KOS based on theory, which provides the direction for the sustainable development of KOS. However, most of these studies focus on some aspects of KOS, which are in a "scattered" state, lacking systematic analysis of the basic principles of KOS construction and semantic organization based on theories and international standards. Therefore, this paper firstly constructs KOS theoretical models in the conceptual world and computer world respectively through a comprehensive study of multi-disciplinary basic theories such as semantics, logic, system theory, and international standards such as ISO 1087:2019, ISO 25964:2013, and ISO 11179:2023, and traces the iterative construction, organization and mapping process from "concept" in the conceptual world to "metadata" knowledge and semantics in the computer world. The semantic organization based on metadata is realized in computer. Secondly, on this basis, in order to realize ontology representation of domain knowledge, the ontology construction method based on MDR metadata is proposed. Finally, taking the semantic organization and ontology construction of Epicentre model in petroleum field as an example, the feasibility of the ideas and methods proposed in this paper is verified. The model and method proposed in this paper is independent of the specific type of KOS, so it is innovative and universal. The methodology is also applicable to other fields of conceptual system modeling, metadata standard construction, and data model modeling.

Elastic flow of curves with partial free boundary

We consider a curve with boundary points free to move on a line in R2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${{{\\mathbb {R}}}}^2$$\\end{document}, which evolves by the L2\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$L^2$$\\end{document}-gradient flow of the elastic energy, that is, a linear combination of the Willmore and the length functional. For this planar evolution problem, we study the short and long-time existence. Once we establish under which boundary conditions the PDE’s system is well-posed (in our case the Navier boundary conditions), employing the Solonnikov theory for linear parabolic systems in Hölder space, we show that there exists a unique flow in a maximal time interval [0, T). Then, using energy methods we prove that the maximal time is T=+∞\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$T= + \\infty $$\\end{document}.

The First Five Years of a Phase Theory for Complex Systems and Networks

The First Five Years of a Phase Theory for Complex Systems and Networks

Innovating or Retrenchment?: Revisiting Strategic Responses to Crisis from an Event Systems Theory

Innovating or Retrenchment?: Revisiting Strategic Responses to Crisis from an Event Systems Theory

Machine Learning Models for Predictive Maintenance in Industrial Engineering

Purpose: The general objective of this study was to investigate machine learning models for predictive maintenance in industrial engineering. Methodology: The study adopted a desktop research methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive’s time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.Findings: The findings reveal that there exists a contextual and methodological gap relating to machine learning models for predictive maintenance in industrial engineering. The research highlighted the transformative potential of machine learning models in optimizing predictive maintenance for industrial engineering, demonstrating significant reductions in unplanned downtime and maintenance costs. It identified the strengths of various machine learning approaches, such as supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, in predicting equipment failures and optimizing maintenance schedules. Despite the benefits, challenges such as data quality, integration complexity, and the need for specialized skills were noted. Future advancements in machine learning, IoT data, and computational power were expected to further enhance predictive maintenance systems, making them more accurate, efficient, and widely adopted across industries.Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The Systems Theory, Diffusion of Innovations Theory and Resource-Based View (RBV) Theory may be used to anchor future studies on machine learning models for predictive maintenance in industrial engineering. This study provided several recommendations that contributed to theory, practice, and policy. It emphasized the development of hybrid machine learning models, integration of domain-specific knowledge, and real-time data collection using IoT technologies. It suggested standardized data protocols and personnel training for better implementation and efficiency. Policy recommendations included regulatory frameworks, incentives for technology adoption, data sharing, and robust data privacy guidelines. These contributions aimed to enhance the accuracy and applicability of predictive maintenance models, improve industrial maintenance practices, and support technological innovation through supportive policies.

From quantum field theory to the quantum method the inverse problem On the 90th anniversary of the birth of academician L.D. Faddeev

The article is dedicated to the life and work of a theoretical physicist and mathematician, a full member of the USSR Academy of Sciences and RAS L.D. Faddeev (1934−2017), the formation of his scientific school. Faddeev’s works on scattering theory, quantum field theory, classical and quantum theory of integrable systems were included in the golden fund of world science and largely determined the face of modern mathematical physics. The author of the article is an employee of the Laboratory of Mathematical Problems of Physics created by L.D. Faddeev at the St. Petersburg Department of the V.A. Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences since its foundation.