Systems Theory Research Articles

Navigating inclusive education in mainstream primary schools: a phenomenological study of teachers’ perceptions and experiences

ABSTRACT This study explored primary school teachers’ perceptions and experiences of inclusive education within a mainstream setting in Southern England. Using a phenomenological approach, semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven teachers from diverse career stages and roles within a single primary school. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: (1) An Individualised Approach, emphasising personalised teaching strategies; (2) Know Your Limits, highlighting systemic constraints; (3) It's Who We Are, underscoring the importance of school culture; and (4) Experience Builds Knowledge, reflecting the role of professional growth in inclusive practice. Findings indicate that teachers’ implementation of inclusive education is shaped by a complex interplay of individual approaches, systemic limitations, school culture, and professional experience. The study contributes to the field by providing a nuanced understanding of teachers’ lived experiences, interpreted through multiple theoretical lenses including Social-Ecological Systems Theory and Critical Theory. Implications span classroom practice, school leadership, policy development, and teacher education, emphasising the need for a holistic, ecosystem-wide approach to inclusive education. The research highlights the importance of ongoing professional development, supportive school cultures, and policy alignment in fostering effective inclusive practices. Limitations include the small sample size and single-school focus, suggesting avenues for future larger-scale and longitudinal research.

Nutritional knowledge and practices of low-income women during pregnancy: a qualitative study in two Oaxacan cities

BackgroundAdequate dietary intake is critical for healthy pregnancies. Recent changes in social services in Mexico, coupled with high levels of food insecurity, call into question whether expecting women of the lowest socioeconomic status are able to meet their dietary and nutritional needs in this changing context. The aim of this study was to explore the nutritional practices, education and received and employed among women during their pregnancy.MethodsGuided by Ecological Systems Theory and an Intersectionality Framework, this qualitative study was carried out in Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido, in Oaxaca, a Mexican state with high levels of food insecurity. Women who had at least one child in the past five years and had lived in Oaxaca for the past five years were eligible to participate. Twenty-five women participated in semi-structured in-depth interviews conducted between June and December of 2023. A grounded theory approach was used for coding. NVivo was used for coding and analyses.ResultsFive key themes emerged linked to individual-level characteristics and the multiple social identities related to the social support for nutritional knowledge and practices among low-income Oaxacan women during pregnancy: (1) Life experiences, sociodemographic, and health characteristics that influence nutritional practices and knowledge during pregnancy; (2) Female family members as a primary source of nutritional knowledge and food support; (3) Support from other members of women’s social networks; (4) Medical guidance for nutrition during pregnancy; and (5) Quality and gaps in the broader health care system and social services. These themes highlight how women’s own experiences and social identities and the different interpersonal and community-level environments, particularly those of mothers and grandmothers and health care providers, interact and shape women’s nutritional knowledge and practices, such as foods and nutritional supplements consumed, during pregnancy.ConclusionNutritional knowledge and practices during pregnancy are impacted by multiple social identities women have and different factors at the individual, group, and structural level. Future multi-level approaches in research and programming that take into consideration the individual, family members, and other social influences are needed to address the gaps in nutrition that women in Oaxaca go through during the prenatal period.

"The three musketeers": A triadic analysis of parenting responsibilities within U.K. LGBTQ+ three-parent families.

Within the United Kingdom, alongside many other countries, it is legally and socially assumed that every child is born with two parents. Recently, there has been an increased societal interest in intentional multiparent families, where more than two adults are actively involved in coparenting a child, yet little research has explored experiences within these families. This study addresses this gap, exploring the way in which parenting roles and responsibilities are negotiated within lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning intentional three-parent families in the United Kingdom. This article draws upon a unique data set of three-parent families, including interviews with 12 lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer and questioning parents in four families in the United Kingdom. Data were analyzed using a novel analytical approach, qualitative triadic analysis, which allows for the analysis of participants' experiences at an individual and family level. Family systems theory and the underutilized theoretical concept of emotional triangles were used to make sense of the data. Three themes were identified in the data, all addressing the research question "How do three-parent families negotiate parenting roles and responsibilities?" Findings highlight that participants managed their parenting arrangement in two different ways, either sharing parenting responsibilities equally or dividing parenting roles, with primary and secondary caregivers taking on different responsibilities. Participants discussed the importance of flexibility and communication in managing their arrangement and all participants reported positive coparenting relationships. This study has a number of implications: Methodologically and theoretically, this study highlights the usefulness of systemic qualitative approaches to studying diverse families. Legally, findings highlight the restrictiveness of two-parent models. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Value Plurality and Multifunctional Commensuration in Organisation: A Systems‐Theoretical Approach

ABSTRACTThis article aims to challenge the prevailing economic bias in studies of organised valuation and commensuration by exploring the broader plurality of values that organisations must manage. The article draws on social systems theory in the tradition of German sociologist Niklas Luhmann to conceptualise organisations as multifunctional systems of decisions that pertain to and commensurate a plurality values associated with a diverse set of value domains, also known as ‘function systems’. The utility of the proposed framework is demonstrated through cases related to carbon rationing and legal issues during the coronavirus crisis. A key finding is that commensuration is not limited to processes dominated by financial metrics, as political and educational metrics, among others, can also serve as primary drivers of commensuration processes, effectively guiding organisational decision‐making. The paper demonstrates how organisations can effectively commensurate diverse value systems without relying solely on financial metrics and concludes that future research in non‐/financial of valuation and commensuration will be crucial for developing more nuanced and multifaceted strategies and concepts, including multifunctional approaches to the formation, justification, and management of moral judgements and values.

Pricing Decision-Making Considering Ambiguity Tolerance in Consumers: Evidence from Recycled Building Material Enterprises

Globally, recycled building materials have attracted much attention, but the ambiguity of the use of recycled building materials makes it difficult for building material remanufacturers (BMRs) to compete with building material manufacturers (BMMs). Brand building is an important strategic tool for enterprises to increase product competitiveness. From the new perspective of the supply chain, this paper aims to examine the decision-making behavior of enterprises under two scenarios of consumer ambiguity neutrality and ambiguity tolerance and to analyze the impact of ambiguity tolerance on the pricing decisions of building materials supply chains in a brand-building scenario. This paper constructs a building material model consisting of BMMs and BMRs, according to the cognitive–affective personality system (CAPS) theory and through the Stackelberg game. The main findings are as follows. (1) Strengthening brand building can mitigate the negative impact of ambiguity tolerance on new product pricing. The selling price of recycled building materials is positively related to ambiguity tolerance. (2) When the BMM has higher brand value, there is a U-shaped trend between profit and ambiguity tolerance at a cost coefficient above the threshold value of 0.61. (3) When the BMR has higher brand value, profit is negatively related to ambiguity tolerance at operational inefficiencies and cost coefficients below the threshold value of 0.45. Otherwise, profits and ambiguity tolerance follow a U-shaped trend. This paper not only expands the research on brand building and ambiguity tolerance but also provides theoretical guidance for enterprises to make effective decisions in response to consumers’ ambiguity psychology.

Whole-of-government approach in disaster management: collaborative case study on the 2023 Morocco earthquake response

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate Morocco’s Whole-of-Government (WoG) framework during the 2023 Al Haouz earthquake, applying complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory to assess its effectiveness with minimal international aid. Through extensive stakeholder engagement and real-time analysis, it examines interagency coordination among civilian and military actors and their interactions with external nongovernmental responders. This study identifies strengths and weaknesses within the WoG framework and presents a strategic roadmap with practical recommendations to enhance disaster resilience, offering valuable insights for Morocco and other middle-income countries facing similar challenges. Design/methodology/approach Framed by CAS theory, this research uses a rigorous mixed-methods approach through a collaborative case study methodology. Qualitative insights were derived from on-site observations and interviews with 126 stakeholders, including survivors. At the same time, quantitative data were collected through content analysis from multiple sources and rigorously triangulated to capture the full spectrum of WoG mobilization. The data were processed using TAMS Analyzer, and systemic evaluation was conducted through the M-MACBETH methodology, supported by a 21-member expert group. Informed by the assessment results and international best practices, this paper presents an actionable roadmap aimed at building a stronger and more flexible disaster management (DM) system. Findings The case study reveals that Morocco’s experience offers both a warning and a blueprint for future disaster response efforts. Although the WoG framework successfully coordinated military, civilian and political leadership, weaknesses in local preparedness, civil society integration and misinformation management reduced the overall effectiveness of the response. Aligned with CAS principles and informed by global best practices, the research advocates creating a National Emergency Management Agency with a comprehensive nationwide organigram to balance community-led initiatives with centralized authority, fostering a more resilient, adaptive and coordinated DM system. Originality/value This paper addresses a key research gap by applying CAS theory to a real-world disaster in the underexplored North African context. It offers a detailed, first-hand evaluation of Morocco’s WoG framework, assessing its ability to manage a large-scale disaster with minimal yet selective international aid. This study paves the way for comparative research across regions, disaster types and governance models while providing a practical roadmap for Morocco and similar nations to transition toward a Whole-of-Society strategy for DM, enhancing long-term resilience.

Theory and Methodology in Sociology–Guiding Distinction

ABSTRACTThis study analyses how theory and methodology function as guiding distinctions in sociology, drawing upon Niklas Luhmann's social systems theory. By examining fifteen Croatian sociologists who engaged with a hypothetical case study on generative artificial intelligence in labour markets, we analysed their theoretical and methodological approaches. The findings reveal a distinct ‘methodological imperative,’ as participants tended to align more around structured rules and data‐gathering procedures rather than around theoretical frameworks. This suggests that methodology, with its standardised forms, provides a clearer path for inclusion in scientific communication, whereas theory remains conceptually broader yet comparatively less structured. Consequently, the study underscores the interplay between these two programmes in shaping sociology's collective knowledge, illustrating how their co‐existence supports the discipline's ongoing capacity for self‐differentiation.

Quantum Algorithms and Applications for Open Quantum Systems.

Accurate models for open quantum systems─quantum states that have nontrivial interactions with their environment─may aid in the advancement of a diverse array of fields, including quantum computation, informatics, and the prediction of static and dynamic molecular properties. In recent years, quantum algorithms have been leveraged for the computation of open quantum systems as the predicted quantum advantage of quantum devices over classical ones may allow previously inaccessible applications. Accomplishing this goal will require input and expertise from different research perspectives, as well as the training of a diverse quantum workforce, making a compilation of current quantum methods for treating open quantum systems both useful and timely. In this Review, we first provide a succinct summary of the fundamental theory of open quantum systems and then delve into a discussion on recent quantum algorithms. We conclude with a discussion of pertinent applications, demonstrating the applicability of this field to realistic chemical, biological, and material systems.

Diversity Barriers in Animal Care Careers at Zoos and Aquariums

We applied social cognitive career theory and systems theory to explore the barriers that historically excluded groups face when pursuing animal care careers at U.S. zoos and aquariums. Using a mixed-methods approach, this research combines survey data (N = 592) and interviews (N = 15) from zoo and aquarium animal care staff, including zookeepers, veterinarians, and aquarists. The findings show that historically excluded groups of animal caretakers report higher levels of perceived barriers to securing zoo positions compared to White animal caretakers, particularly in career awareness, self-efficacy, mentorship, and access to internship opportunities. Statistical analyses of animal caretakers revealed a statistically significant difference between historically excluded groups and their White colleagues. Historically excluded groups experience more challenges in securing and succeeding in animal care careers. While institutional barriers did not differ significantly between groups, this study underscores the need for zoos to address systemic inequities and create more inclusive environments. These findings are critical for zoos aiming to diversify their staff and enrich their decision-making processes.

Adolescent girls' explanations of high rates of low mood and anxiety in their population: a co-produced qualitative study.

From early adolescence, girls face greater risk of experiencing low mood and anxiety relative to boys, with recent evidence that this may be worsening. There is a paucity of mental health research that meaningfully progresses understanding of these gender disparities, including that engages adolescent girls' own perspectives, limiting our ability to direct further research and enhance intervention approaches. We examined low mood and anxiety from the perspective of adolescent girls, asking: What do adolescent girls perceive to be causing their population's high rates of low mood and anxiety? We adopted a co-produced qualitative design, guided by ecological systems theory, conducting focus groups in 2022 with 32 adolescent girls aged 16 to 18 years in England. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participants framed low mood and anxiety among adolescent girls as "normal", and discussed potential explanations including persistent reiteration and expectation of gendered norms, intense educational pressures in ways that can be gendered, difficulties within peer relationships, and comparison and insecurity in social media contexts. Throughout, participants highlighted how complex these issues are, including nuances around individual differences, sociodemographic contexts, and societal contexts. The study offers a critically important contribution to evidence on gendered inequalities in low mood and anxiety, drawing attention to the interwoven and complex nature of girls' lives and illuminating various aspects that would benefit from greater research. The insights gained through exploration with girls themselves hold policy and practical relevance to enhance systems to meet girls' needs.

Offset or harmonious coexistence: untangling the interrelationship between green finance and rural revitalisation

Examining the relationship and its dynamics between green finance and rural revitalisation is crucial for achieving an equitable, sustainable economy and low-carbon transition. This paper develops a comprehensive evaluation system for green finance and rural revitalisation, utilising data from 31 provinces in China from 2000 to 2020, and reveals the coordinated relationship and spatial characteristics. From the system theory, the coordinated and interacting relationship between green finance and rural revitalisation and its geographic features are also described in this paper. The results show that green finance levels have significantly increased across 31 provinces in China. The rural revitalisation process is also moving forward, and there is mutual reinforcement that creates a balance of harmonious symbiosis and positive interaction between green finance and rural revitalization. The relationship between the two also exhibits distinct stages and notable regional disparities, resulting in a spatial and temporal pattern characterised by ‘high east, sluggish middle, and delayed in the west.’ At the same time, a pattern of green finance development has appeared in the demonstrative unit of development. However, to enable the revitalisation of rural areas through green policies, it must accelerate the development of rural revitalisation and provide more robust and focused policy support.

Analytical aberration theory for plane symmetric optical systems and its application in distortion analysis of spectrometers

Analytical aberration theory for plane symmetric optical systems and its application in distortion analysis of spectrometers

Exact solution of dynamical mean-field theory for a linear system with annealed disorder

Abstract We investigate a disordered multi-dimensional linear system in which the interaction parameters are colored noises, varying stochastically in time with defined temporal correlations. We refer to this type of disorder as ‘annealed’, in contrast to quenched disorder in which couplings are fixed over time. Using generating functional methods, we extend dynamical mean-field theory to accommodate annealed disorder and employ it to find the exact solution of the linear model in the limit of a large number of degrees of freedom. Our analysis yields analytical results for the non-stationary autocorrelation, the stationary variance, the power spectral density, and the phase diagram of the model. Some unexpected features emerge upon changing the correlation time of the interactions. The stationary variance of the system and the critical variance of the disorder are generally found to be non-monotonic functions of the correlation time of the interactions. We also find that a re-entrant phase transition can take place when this correlation time is varied.

Study on disaster-causing probability evaluation of gas pipeline in karst area.

In this paper, a disaster-causing probability evaluation method of gas pipelines in karst areas based on disaster system theory and vulnerability theory is proposed. The hazard evaluation index system of gas pipeline disaster events in karst areas is established from three aspects: the activity of disaster-prone environment, the risk of disaster factors and the vulnerability of disaster-bearing bodies. Combined with the advantages of information transmission and updating of the Bayesian network model, the hazard probability of disaster events is gradually calculated from a multi-level perspective. Based on the structural reliability theory, the vulnerability evaluation function of gas pipelines in karst areas is established by considering the interaction between disaster hazard intensity and disaster resistance ability. Meanwhile, the design checkpoint method and finite element simulation are used to calculate the vulnerability probability. Finally, a new disaster-causing probability evaluation approach for gas pipelines in karst areas is formed, which comprehensively considers the event hazard and the pipeline vulnerability. The work presented in this paper can provide a reference for the safety management and accident prevention of gas pipelines crossing the karst areas.

A review of accident models and incident analysis techniques.

This review article aims to provide an overview of accident models and incident analysis techniques in the context of radiation oncology. Accident models conceptualize the mechanisms through which accidents occur. Chain-of-event models and systemic models are two main categories of accident models and differ in how accident causation is portrayed. Chain-of-event models focus on the linear sequence of events leading up to an accident, whereas systemic models emphasize the nonlinear relationships between the components in a complex system. The article then introduces various incident analysis techniques, including root cause analysis (RCA), London Protocol, AcciMap, and Causal Analysis Based on Systems Theory (CAST), which are based on these accident models. The techniques based on the chain-of-event model can be effective in identifying causal factors, safety interventions, and improving safety. The other techniques based on the systemic models inherently facilitate an examination of how the influence of personal conditions, environmental conditions, and information exchange between different aspects of a system contributed to an accident. To improve incident analysis, it is essential to translate unsafe human behavior into decision-making flaws and the underlying contextual factors. Where resources allow, it is also crucial to systematically link frontline contributions to organizational and societal aspects of the system and incorporate expertise in safety science and human factors into the analysis team. The article also touches on related concepts such as Perrow's Normal Accident Theory (NAT), Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM), and Bowtie Analysis, which are not based on specific accident models but have been used for safety improvement in radiation oncology. Overall, different incident analysis techniques have strengths and weaknesses. Taking a systems approach to incident analysis requires a shift from linear thinking to a more nuanced understanding of complex systems. However, the approach also brings unique value and can help improve safety as radiation oncology further gains complexity.

Integrating Process Safety and Process Security Risk Management: Practitioner Insights for a Resilience-Oriented Framework

Integrating process safety and process security risk management is increasingly essential for enhancing resilience in the chemical process industry. This study addresses how practitioners perceive the integration of these two domains, identifying key benefits, barriers, and strategies for effective implementation. A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining quantitative survey data from 47 industry professionals with qualitative insights from open-ended responses. The findings highlight significant advantages of integration, such as optimized resource use, reduced operational redundancies, and improved risk management. However, barriers such as knowledge gaps, resource constraints, and communication silos were identified. Respondents emphasized the importance of adopting a resilience-oriented approach involving proactive risk management, continuous improvement, and adaptability in both safety and security practices. Critical enablers for integration include strong leadership, alignment of societal values, cross-disciplinary training, and integrated risk assessment methodologies. Emerging technologies and regulatory alignment were also identified as critical factors in facilitating integration. The study contributes to the theoretical understanding of integrated risk management by supporting resilience engineering and systems theory. It offers actionable strategies for overcoming barriers and leveraging enablers, laying the groundwork for developing a resilience-oriented framework for process safety and process security risk management.

Graph-theoretic approach and bifurcation analysis of skill acquisition and its effect on unemployment.

In developing countries, the informal sector plays a crucial role in employing unskilled labor workforce and contributes significantly to economic growth. Informal sector also facilitates skill acquisition, which enhances workers' employability. This research work presents a dynamical model examining how skilled individuals in the informal sector influence unemployment dynamics. The model considers unemployed persons (both unskilled and skilled) and employed persons as dynamic variables. We analyze the feasibility and stability of all equilibria for the proposed dynamical system. A quantity R0, analogous to the basic reproductive ratio in epidemic models, is derived. We also demonstrate the existence of various bifurcations, including transcritical, saddle-node, Hopf, and Bogdanov-Takens bifurcations. Additionally, we apply a graph-theoretical approach to analyze unemployment patterns and connections within the labor workforce. This provides insights into the structure and dynamics of unemployment networks, complementing the dynamical system's analysis. By combining dynamical system's theory with graph theory, this study provides a comprehensive, multi-dimensional understanding of unemployment dynamics in developing economies characterized by substantial informal sector.

Initial study of general theory of complex systems: physical basis and philosophical understanding

Initial study of general theory of complex systems: physical basis and philosophical understanding

Reliability Analysis and Numerical Simulation of the Five-Robot System with Early Warning Function

The rapid advancement of robotic technologies has demonstrated the significant potential of Multi-Robot Systems (MRS) for application across various fields, particularly in automation, manufacturing, and rescue operations. However, enhancing the reliability of Multi-Robot Systems, particularly in critical applications, has emerged as a primary focus of research. A mathematical model of a five-robot system, equipped with early warning capabilities, is developed using Markov process theory and the supplementary variable method in this paper. A model of an abstract Cauchy problem system is developed, employing semigroup theory to investigate the well-posedness of solutions for this five-robot system. The stability of the system is verified using analytical methods, confinal correlation theory, and modern functional analysis techniques. Several key reliability indicators are presented using the eigenvector method. Numerical simulations and comparative methods effectively demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed eigenvector method. Firstly, the innovation of this paper lies in the combination of qualitative and quantitative analyses to improve and enrich the theory and methods of repairable systems. Secondly, mathematical analysis methods and the mathematical software are employed to provide both analytical and numerical solutions for the system.

Adaptive Model Prediction Control Framework With Game Theory for Brain-Controlled Air-Ground Collaborative Autonomous System

Adaptive Model Prediction Control Framework With Game Theory for Brain-Controlled Air-Ground Collaborative Autonomous System