NIswsLErreR December 1994 No. 34135 2eoo copies
Founding Editor: F. de P. Hanika, Editors: Gerhard Chroust, Stephen Sokoloff IFSR, c/o Systemtechnik und Automation, Kepler University Linz, 4040 Linz Austria, E-mail: [email protected], Tel:+43-732-2368-865, fax:+43 -732-2368-878
Dear fualers, New Officers of the IFSR In tfu [ast sertem[ tueek I resli.ze[ wfiat it mzors to 6e zaitfrout a secretary, fu{y secretary b{t arourd May 7994 anl, sita certain preceduru fiad to 6e fo[[outed, it fias taken un{i[ nou to prottidc ru ruitfi anotfrer ont. Ifib nemt tfiat fots of worfuot dttaged, upeciaty tfrb N1wsfctten I fiope tfrat witfi tfu NCza lear I uil[ 6e ai[e to 6e fiqrkot scfle[utt. to nwke up for tfu [z{ay we are proailing you tuitfi a dou6[e issue, containing mare tfiafl tfie wua[ annunt of infonrntion @td number contrifutiotu. 9!e ako take pkasure in pruenting lfsqs rtiil pruilznt, CIrof, tu{. lacfuon afll we are fiappy to tvlnounce some interuting neuts uitfi rupect to IfS\S j oum al S fSIE*{S SEAKC a{. 'Ifiere ruil[ - unfortunatefy^f - a{so 5e outfrer cfiange in tfic A{gwsfz*er: Due to tfu tinitel funr{s aaaifaih rue dtci[el tfiat zae couU rn (anger a{for[ a profusi e[itor for tfu 9t{gwsfetter. for tfib reason lDr. S Softptffi my co-editor, wfro was upeciafig corce ruitfr tfu tingubtic quotity of tfu 1r(gwsfetter , as weff w utitfi utriting, obtaining anl e[iting [rrrger a*b[u, rui Prof. Michael C. Jackson, Vice-president rxign 6y tfu enl of tfiis year. 'Ifie productior of tfie 9'[jzusbtter utill fiitfrz*o 6e my sob rxponsi|ility. 6ut fiope tfiat En Sokshlf wi[{ stilf protilc mc witfi On April 7, 1994, the Board of the IFSR interxting artic.[u.. elected a new Executive Committee: President: Bela H. Banathy, I tfurefon woufd [ike to tfiatLDr. Sokqtoff for olt fiis (for bibliography, see Newslefter No. 33) ffirts for tfu 9,{gwsbtter an{ I fiope tfrat I can ftgry up fris tmlition of frigfi quatity. 2578'l Morse Drive, Carmel, CA. 93923 USA, At [ast I wou[l fike to zubfi all mzmbers of tfie If, an[ readtrs of tfie h{gzusbtter a fiappy email: [email protected]
S e as on anl a S uccu sfitf 9t{gw /e ar. Vice-President: Michael C. Jackson, Qertarl Cfirowt United Kingdom S ys temt ecfrnift-unl Aut onratior Systems Society, r Llnirtersitu Liaz, 4040 Lira, Austria University of Humberside, Cottinghan Boad, Hull HU6 7RT, U.K tel: +44 1482 440550 Ext. 3720 IMPRESSUM: Mediuminhaber, Herausgeber, Satz lax:+44 1482 445715 und Layout: Int. Federation lor Systems Research. Fiir den Inhalt verantwortlich: kof. G. Chroust, Kepler Universitdt Linz. 4040 Linz, Druck: Secretaryffreasurer: Gerhard Ch roust, Druckerei Bad Leonfclden Ges.rnb.H. & Co. KG, (for bibliography, see Newsletter No. 33) Bad Leonfelden. Kepler University Linz, A-4040 Linz, Austria email :chrou st@ sea.u ni-linz.ac. at Michael C. Jackson Gerard de Zeeuw, who has managed to keep it going in recent years without the support of a major publisher. I am pleased Michael C. Jackson, born 1951, is Professor to say that I have been able to secure the of Management Systems and Dean of the future of the journalby negotiating a new ten School Computing lnformation of and year contract with the prestigious publishers Systems at the University of Humberside. John Wiley and Sons. Wiley have agreed to After studying Politics, Philosophy and supply journal members of Economics at Oxlord University, he spent 4 the to organisations belonging to IFSR for the years in the civil service before returning to reduced rate of $40 per subscription in academic life. He has since studied and 1995, 1996 and 1997. As long as we can taught at Lancaster, Warwick and Hull build up subscriptions there should also Uniyersities, and was appointed lull a eventually be royalties accruing to the IFSR professor at Hull in 1989. from sales. I am to be first editor of the journal under Wiley and I would ask you to Prolessor Jackson enjoys diverse help relaunch Sysfems Research, and make consultancy interests and has worked with lt a success, by encouraging individuals and many well known organisations. He also organisations to subscribe and by sending undertakes work lor wide range of a papers for publication to my address. community and non-profit-making organisations. He has held managerial My second objective is to set up a network positions as Head of Department, Chair of ol active systems research groups as part of the UK Systems Society and Council the IFSR. The aim would be to exchange Member Operational Research of the ideas and inlormation, develop joint projects Society; and is currently a Dean of School and to co-operate on bids for funding to and Vice-President the lnternational of develop systems research. Activities would Federation for Systems Research. He has be publicised through the Newsletter and authored 2 Books (Creative Problem Solving through Systems Research. lf you belong to Systems Methodology the and for a systems research group and would like to Management Sciencesl, edited six others, is join this network, please write to me. international journal "Systems edilor of the M.C.lackot Research", has published over 70 articles in other learned journals, and has contributed chapters to several books. From IFSR's Executive Committee
From the IFSR Vice-President INVO LVI N G M EM B ER O R G ANIZAT'ONS One of the key IFSR programs proposed by the Executive Committee (EC) in the July I was pleased to be elected Vice-President lssue of the Newsletter is the creation of of the lnternational Federation lor Systems opportunities for the direct involvement of Research. The growing significance of member organizations in the affairs of the systems thinking, and the proliferation ol Federation. The EC therefore suggested the individuals, groups and societies interested establishment several Standing in the ideas, make it essential that we co- of Committees to address issues ol common ordinate our efforts in order to have the interest and importance. These issues would maximum beneficial impact on include Program Development, R&D in organisations, communities and the Systems and Cybernetics, Database societies in which we live. I intend to be an Development, Publications, Electronic active Vice-President and I have two Communications, Systems and Design immediate ambitions. Education, IFSR Events, Resources/Funds Development, Membership Development, The first of these is to rejuvenate "Sysfems Outreach (to NGO's and Other Relevant Research", the official journal of the IFSR. lnternational Agencies), and other issues of We owe a great debt to John Warfield, who interest. Committees would be constituted originally established the journal, and to from members of member organizations who would volunteer to work on particular 25781 Morse Drive, Carmel, CA. 93923 committees. At this point in time we are USA, asking our member organizations to email : [email protected]. comment on the ]FSR Committees proposed here and also to suggest other Dearfuadtrsl Committees. Our driving interest is to forge the IFSR into a dynamic, evoMing, Ifianfr you for mtrusting me atitfi. tfu contributing systems community with a Editorsfrip for near{y a daca{e flota. of course, Ik flat constantly unfolding purpose and program. ttery frqpy uitfr tfu fout priority ufiicfi tfu IfSS,Siou The leaders of IFSR member organizations to genaa[ist-tgpc octirtitits, tfu cfrmgx tfiat utill 6e are invited to discuss this proposal with their ffiadt in tfu g,{gwshtter uen twt my ilza I wost't eoat membership and communicate their ideas, conruttel. comments, and interest in participating to: Bela H. Banathy,
NEW TRENDS Bioelectricity/B iomag netics Some Advanced Applications
Prof. Dr. Helmut Pf0tzner Technical University of Vienna GuBhausstr. 27 A-1040 Wien
Bioelectricity/Biomagnetics (BE&M) is the design. For evaluation of data new science of the electric and/or magnetic technologies such as imprecise neural behavior of biological systems. Biophysical networks have proven invaluable. Our work methods are applied to determine the concentrates on three levels of biological reactions of biological molecules, cells, systems: microorganism, cell and tissue tissues and organisms to electromagnetic level and organism level. fields, and also to study synaptic transmissions, for example between nerves The level of microorganisms magnetic lield is applied and muscle cells. When an electric or microorganisms in liquid culture, it is lndustry is willing to fund basic research in to a A BE&M because results can, thanks to distorted or weakened by that culture. modern sensor, automating and computer strong field may manipulate small living phenomena technologies, be practically applied. We first cells, or even kill them. These points various study the electromagnetic behavior of are the ol departure for practical fields determine biological systems, then we find direct applications of to number bacteria yeast cells in a applications. for our results in biology, the of or human medicine or related fields. The engineering sample ol chocolate, beer or stored work, the design of the sensors, the blood. We have also evaluated the electrodes which are electronics and the software, is done in characteristics of into close cooperation with industry. specilically affected when inserted develop ln BE & M one has to deal with inaccuracy. samples. The results were used to 'lt proving Biological systems elude exact description, a bacteria tracer; is successful on and their physical properties are expressed the world market. Since the biological and mechanisms involved are in terms of orders of magnitude. Sensors electrochemical incompletely should be senshive, but they don't have to highly complex and only be precise. The modeling of field structures understood, neural networks are employed may be based on linhe elements of rough for data evaluation. As has been known for centuries, a metal also apply it to lood technology; a simple electrode may have bactericidal effects apparatus enables us to determine whether when it is inserted into a contaminated liver is fresh or deep-frozen and to recognize liquid. One project is to make use of this pale, soft and exudative (PSE) muscles in phenomenon to develop lully automated pork. equipment for water conditioning. We thereby utilize both the leedback from the The organism level sensors, which indicates the degree of The various tissues and organs of which the contamination as well as the ionic human body consists display significantly composition ol the water, and the modem ditferent electrical characteristics because of properties technology of metal composition. the divergent electrical of their Finally, we use fields to manipulate micro- membranes. One focus of attention is the organisms. Electric fields bring about local human skin. lt is a multi-layered system with concentrations of cells; they even make densely-arranged cells and channels. The those cells fuse together, which of course latter are filled with sweat, an excellent phases physiological involves a transfer of genet[c material. With conductor, during of magnetic fields we can guide magnetotactic excitement. We have developed a bacteria; that makes it possible to visualize computerized sensor system which can micro{ield configurations. Besides, we are locally determine the humidity, temperature trying to make cells guidable with magnetic and electrical conductivity of the skin. lt has antibody complexes or by fusing them with applications in many fields, including physiology, magnetotactic cells. tumor detection and cosmetics. A second focal point is the heaillung The cells and tissue level system. First an electrophysiological model Such field modifications in the presence of of the human thorax is made, based on biological material offer alluring prospects dielectric lab analyses of the tissues located for the specific detection and/or in it (heart muscle, blood, lung, surrounding characterization of such substances. muscle and fat, etc.). Then the electrical Measuring devices do not have to come responses to various physiological activities into direct contact with them. Apart from are predicted; the values obtained serve as costly resonance techniques such as NMR, a basis for monitoring methods. One however, practical applications are approach is to transmil a high-frequency complicated by the low magnetic moment of electric field and to evaluate the signals then biological matter. Nevertheless, the detected on the skin. Magnetomechanical characterization of human blood on the sensors are also attached to the skin to basis of this property is feasible because of gather information. This is then processed the specific moment ol hemoglobin. Utilizing by hard- and software filtering. Neural electric fields, one can more easily analyze networks are thereby utilized because they blood and determine the hematocrit (the can cope with the complex, poorly- volume of red blood cells which was packed understood interconnections. Currently a by centrifugation in a given volume of blood) monitoring system of this type is being and the cell size. These measurements can tested at various clinics; its applications be made because the nanometer-thick cell include the diagnosis of lung defects after membrane acts as an electrical capacitor accidents and the monitoring of apnea which responds in a very sensitive manner (temporary cessation of breathing), both in to membrane delects, thus enabling us to small children (associated with SlDS.sudden readily detect damage to stored blood. infant death syndrome) and in adults. ln the We use the same principle to detect muscle latter it is often associated with extremely cell membrane defects; these serve as an loud snoring. Persons affected have a indicator of the tissue damage which occurs drastically reduced life expectancy. during the amputation of extremities. We TELEONICS: A process based systems approach
Prof. G G Jaros Biomedical Engineering University ol Cape Town, 7925 OBSERVATORY, South Africa T el: +27 21 -404-6 1 1 6, fax : 3291, e-mail : [email protected]
(morphogenetic). lntroduction Each of these has a role to play. ln leleons where the teleos is Teleonics is a systems approach through concerned with maintenance of the system which an observer can obtain a better the feedback is generally morphostatic. On understanding of the functioning of living the other hand, if ihe teleos is concerned primarily systems. lt focuses on the with growth and development, the processes that characterize living systems, appropriate form of feedback is a rather than on lhe levels and subsystems of morphogenetic one. which they consist. The units of function in teleonics are the teleons, or goal-directed Types and grouping ol teleons process units, which stretch over several Teleons connect the various levels of the levels and incorporate numerous living and nested hierarchy of living processes. non-living subsyslems. Starting from any of the levels, it is obvious Teleonics has been applied to the study of that there will be two kinds of teleons. The complex systems in the diverse fields of ones which connect an upper (outer) levelto education, societal governance, business a lower (inneQ level are called endoteleons. organization, technology assessment, The teleons which are directed at the higher psychology, health care and music theory. (outer) levels are called exoteleons. At each level bundles of both kinds of teleons The nature of teleons combine to form doublets. Examples of Teleons are concerned with the processing doublets are the cells, individuals, families, ol matter, energy and information which are organizations, communities and societies. inseparably bound together. ln living Ahhough we tend to think of these entities systems, such processes are generally as concrete systems, they are indeed simply executed for a certain purpose or with a points in the hierarchy where the processes certain aim in mind. This means that come into close association with each other. processes on all levels of the living hierarchy The concrete nature of these entities is have a teleos, which in Greek means considered lo be the result of the process purpose, aim, goalor end. The nature of the interaction and not, as is generally assumed, teleos will be different on the various levels the other way around. Cells, humans and of the hierarchy. Any analysis of teleons organizations are the result of their should start with the identilication of the processes and not vice versa. This teleos. For example teleons exist in the differentiates teleonics from the normal human and animal body for the supply of systems theories. ln the latter one would oxygen and nutrients to the cells. ln a define the system by drawing a boundary will for society, there be teleons agricultural and identifying the subsystems and production and industrial and distribution of evaluating the interactions between them. ln products production as well as lor the and teleonics one delines the processes and distribution of knowledge. Once the teleos searches for the subsystems which con- has been identified it is obvious that if it is to tribute to them. Boundaries play a lesser be reached persistently, the leleon must role, all process boundaries are extremely have some internal regulation or permeable. governance. governance The evaluation of Teleons usually reach over many levels of is an important aspec,t of teleonics. the living hierarchy, creating many concrete Govemance rests on the application of systems or doublets. Therefore the entire processes, feedback and feedforward which universe looks like a huge living network in ensure that the teleos is reached. Feedback which the teleons are the strings and the can be negative (morphostatic) or positive doublets are the knots. We have referred to the teleon. ln certain cases the telentropy this network as the Biomatrix. lt is very can be channeled away from a teleon into difficult to study such a complicated network other teleons, either at the same level or as a whole. We have suggested that if any between different levels ol the hierarchy. lf point in the Biomatrix is studied at least these teleons cannot control the resulting three levels of the hierarchy are taken into increase in telentropy efficiently, their consideration. This is obvious, as the two operation will be unfavourably affected. lt is kinds of teleons at any level in fact connect a well known phenomenon in biology that that levelto the upper and lower levels. the symptoms of disease appear at points which are remote lrom the cause of the Uncertainty, stress, disease and disease. This is especially true for the so- creativity in the Biomatrix called psychosomatic diseases, where the Living systems exhibit uncertainty. Although cause might lie in unfulfilled (telentropic) teleons are designed to reach a teleos, they psychological problems, yet the results do not always succeed. To study uncertainty manifest themselves as a cellular defect, in teleons, we introduced the concept of such as cancer or an ulcer. ln these cases telentropy. Telentropy exists in all teleons. the telentropy has been transferred away There is no living activity of which we can be lrom the psyche to the cells. The same is completely sure that it will reach its goal. We true for other levels of the Biomatrix. could think of a human-centered teleon, Societal or organizational malfunction can such as going to work every day. When we be analyzed by following the movement of leave there is always a chance of an telentropy. accident, an unexpected meeting with a Telentropy is not atways detrimental; it is an friend or a car breaking down. The total essential feature of creativity. lt is due to the uncertainty can be expressed by telentropy. uncertainty ol reaching of our goals that we Telentropy can be injected into teleons by think of new ways of doing things. By interferring with the teleos, structure, channeling telentropy in the right direclion, process or the governance of the teleon. ln growth and development of living systems living systems there is sufficient internal can be attained. governance to eliminate the telentropy and A bibliography can be requested from the thus to ensure that the goals are attained. author. However, the means {or doing this are limited and can be exhausted. Such a state of affairs can lead to stress and disease of
Survival Strategies for Enterprises in Post-Socialist Countries - and Why they often don't Work Magoroh Maruyama Aoyama Gakuin University Tokyo 150, Japan ln the process ol conversion to free market Bankruptcy Game systems, tried-and-proven methods of ln free-market countries, allowing workers to Western firms, such as giving workers become shareholders often enhances their bonuses and shares of company stock, productivity. ln the East, however, it has have been transplanted to Eastern Europe. triggered a bankruptcy game; employees ln many cases they have not produced the intentionally reduce their productivity so that expected results, however, since the the stock will become cheaper. So do conditions prevailing in the Post-Socialist managers who want to or are required to world are considerably dillerent from those buy stock, and even foreign firms that are in classical Capitalist countries. Some engaging in joint ventures with state-owned examples will be discussed below. ones. payments is statistically excellent, the level Subverted Bonuses ol investment is low. Some Hungarian firms used bonuses to enhance productivity, but for several Nonproductive,,service" industry reasons this approach has proven Although some new businesses have unsuccessful. First of all, the money was emerged in Eastern Europe, a large distributed equally, and not on the basis of proportion of them are in the service sector. merit. Besides, managers sometimes It is more profitable to move goods back and withheld a part of the bonus fund to pay forth than to produce them, and besides workers for special services. The ensuing service enterprises do not require much secret negotiations often led to suspicions investment. Therefore the development of and resentments. the economies in the former Soviet Block has been rather lopsided. The transformation from Communism to a free-market economy in Eastern Europe is an unprecedented situation. Various ,,sure- fire" survival strategies that have been tried out have unfortunately proven unsuccessful. Policy makers and business planners must understand the reasons lor these failures if they are to adapt effective measures. That is the challenge lor the future.
Opening : Assistant Professorship
The State University of New York at Prof. Magoroh Maruyama Binghamton, Bingharnton University, invites applications lor a tenure-track posltion at the Assistanl Professor level, beginning August lndividual Performance Evaluations 1995. The successful candidate will join the Eastern European employees hate written Systems Science and lndustrial Engineering performance records because they remind Department. Salary will be competitive. The them ol former secret police methods. applicant must have an earned degree at the Besides, at least in Hungary, the evaluations PhD level in Systems Science or lndustrial are manipulated. For example, a retiring Engineering. The applicant sought must be able person might be given a better grade so that to teach and to do research in the areas of he will receive a higher pension. This is lntelligent Systems (luzzy systems, genetic even explained to the other workers, who algorithms, etc.), Applied Optimization and Applied Mathematical Modeling and Simulation. willingly go along with the deception. Experience in manufacturing applications is desirable. lnactive Savings lndustrial collaboration has been a strength ol ln Hungary, the interest rate has exceeded the programs and lhe candidate would be asked the inflation rate, and has even gone up to to continue this tradition, particularly in the area 35%. Although this did lead to an increase in of electron ics manuf actu ring. domestic savings, the deposits remained Send applications, including a resume, to inactive and little money has been available Prolessor C. Robert Emerson, The Thomas J. for investmenl. Besides, in order to stimulate Watson School of Engineering and Applied imports the government has refrained from Science, Department ol System Science and adjusting the foreign currency exchange rate lndustrial Engineering. Bingharnton University, to current inflation levels. Foreign firms have P.O. Box 6000, Binghamlon, New York 13902- 6000. been taking advantage of this situation by Applications received by January 20th, 1995, will depositing in large amounts of money receive lirst consideration. Hungary and collecting the interest on them. Thus, ahhough the Hungarian balance ol Project Report Professor Elohim is the founder and lormer president of the Mexican Society of Systems Cultural Aspects of Automation and Cybernetics. He began his career as an Prof. J.L. Elohim electronic engineer, but became concerned with the human implications of technology. A study canied out at the Scientific Academy He has undertaken studies at the University of Lower Auslria, Krems of Wales in Swansea, England, and the SchloBg. 6/16, A-3512 Maulern, Austria Ecole des Hautes Etudes in Paris. Until 1991 he was a professor at the School of Technical innovations lead to improvements Electricaland Mechanical Engineering of the in the quality of life, but they often have National Polytechnical lnstitute in Mexico. detrimental side-effects as well, such as Since then he has been worting in Krems, deterioration of human relations and Austria. environmental destruction. The aim of reported by Stephen Sokoloff Professor Elohim is to achieve a rationally guided co-evolution of technology and culture. The Principia Cybernetica Web a knowledge base for systems research Johan Bollen
Vrije Universiteit Brussel, PO-PESP, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel, Belgium. tel: +32-2-6292525 email : [email protected]
Although system science and cybernetics have provided a strong integrating force for other sciences, these lields remain diverse and fragmented, lacking a solid philosophical framewoft. Their concepts and methods have proven useful in the most diverse domains, but consequently researchers have mainly focused on applying these new and revolutionary ideas, rather than on developing the philosophical Prof. J. L.Elohim Photo: Sokoloff science's ontology and foundations. He hopes to attain this goal by forming groups to tackle such diverse problems as The Principia Cybernetica Project (PCP), the reduction of environmental pollution and founded in 1989, is devoted to the the development of efficient public development of a complete and consistent transportation systems. These groups would cybernetic philosophy. The project's name consist of people wiih different points ol refers to Russell and Whitehead's Principia view - engineers, politicians, concerned Mathematica, the work that laid the citizens, etc. ln developing new approaches philosophical foundations for the science of they would make use of principles such as mathematics as we know it. synergy (interdisciplinary cooperation), PCP, however, is not thought of as a closed, systems thinking (holistic view attained rigid set of axioms and definitions. lts basic through a consideration of the sequential, architecture consists of nodes, representing hierarchical and functional relationships concepls and their definitions, and links, between ideas) and cybernetic interpretation representing the associations between lhe (feedback). Unfortunately, convincing concepts. Nodes and links form a dynamic colleagues to take account of the social and continuously evolving network, impacts of their innovations has proven, in incorporating the knowledge that makes up his opinion, very difficult the Principia Cybernetica. PCP was not designed as a specialized possibility to annotate and extend nodes has product of a few scientists, but rather as a been added, so that users can interactively collaborative development by many contribute lo the developing structure and researchers in the field of systems science content of the web. and cybernetics, each contributing their own viewpoint and expertise. Therefore, Access: advanced collaboration and communication lnternet: lnstall a browser on your computer. technologies are essential components. WWW software (e.9. Mosaic) is freely PCP aims to build an adaptive and growing available. body of philosophical knowledge by applying FTP: Connect to: rtfm.mit.edu, download cybernetic tools and methods to the document in : development of cybernetics itself. PCP /pub/useneVnews. answerVwww/f aq, encourages multidisciplinarity and tries to containing detailed instructions. Having integrate the different viewpoints that make installed a WWW browser, use the WWW- systems science and cybernetics such a address ("UFlL"): diverse field. PCP investigates the process "http //pespmc1 .vub.ac.be/" to retrieve ou r of collaborative knowledge development. start page. The research results will, in the spirit of the E-Mail: The CERN server accepts WWW- project, be fed back into the development of addresses via email and sends back the PCP through improvements to software and corresponding WWW page. infrastructure. Our most recent research has Send message focused on dynamically adjusting the "SEN D http //pespmcl .vub. ac.be/' to: structure of a knowledge network so that [email protected]. The start page information will become more easily and enables one to browse the WWW without elficiently accessible. The idea is to develop additional software. learning rules and algorithms that can More information: email to ensure the network's soundness when the [email protected], or anonymous variety of the nodes and links increases. FTP at is1.vub.ac.be, directory PCP aims to provide an inlormation service /pub/p rojectVPrincipia_Cybernetic. to the cybernetics community. Accurate and up-to-date information on the main issues ol the cybernetics and systems domain should Conference Report be readily available to as many people as possible. The World Wide Web (WWW) is based on a The 94 Fuschl Conversation distributed hypertext paradigm on the Fuschl, Austria, April 10-15, 1994 lnternet computer netwoft. lt provides a friendly, efficient and increasingly popular The Fuschl Conversations are one of the way of communicating and fits in very well programs of the IFSR. The 94 Conversation with our views on the PCP-architecture: a was held in April at the Lake Fuschl, Austria. large set of nodes, representing concepts, Research teams worked on four topics. The linked by associations, that can be easily Systems Educati on-Organ izatio nal Learning accessed by any researcher on any platform Ieam considered what outcomes we hope from any location. to attain lrom systems education and Our \A/WW-seryer, which was started in 1993, formulated sets of systems competencies contains at present some 800 nodes. They that education can help students to realize. include definitions of concepts and principles, The team also explored systems learning in articles, discussion nodes, maps, a organizations. The Societal Evolution Team searchable index, links to related lnternet explored characteristics of the ideal society servers, and general reference material on by modeling societal evolution. They arrived cybernetics and systems science (glossary, at the conclusion that the best approach to bibliography, lists of organizations and understanding the process of societal journals with addresses, etc.). The PCP web evolution is the simultaneous use of has received several positive reviews and an evolutionary theory and systems theory. The honourable mention for document design at team developed a program for the societal the "Best of the Web Awards". Recently, the applications of the ideas they generated. The next team, focusing on Self Regulation, explored self organizing principles that might guide human and organizational behavior. They found that this area of exploration seems particularly relevant in the light of the more recent understanding we have attained concerning the chaotic nature of most complex systems. Designing Conversations was the topic of the fourth team. lt first developed and acted out a set of metaphors for systems design. The insights gained from the metaphors led it to propose a set of salient individual and group Fuschl Conversation 1 994 characteristics and competencies that STIQE'92 enhance conversation-based systems Systems & design. Quality'92 Meeling Linking Systems Preparing for the 96 Fuschl Conversation, lst lnt. on Thinking and Total Quality Management member organizations are invited to bring to Dec 10-12, 1992 the attention of their members the Maribor, opportunity to participate in the next Papers presented have published in meeting. The 1996 program is scheduled for been Research vol. 11, no. 1 1994. April 14-19, 1996, at the Lake Fuschl, Systems , (see Research', Austria (following EMCSR'96). Topics 'What is New in Systems below) currently being considered include: . Systems Design as a Collective Human Activity, News from the Book market . Sys{ems Learning in General Education, . Guided Societal Evolution, IFSR lnternational Series on . Designing the IFSR as a self-organizing Systems Science and Engineering System, and (Series Editor: George J. Ki) The Design ol Systems of Learning ard (see insert on next page) Human Development for the 21st Century. Participants are expected to explore the knowledge base of the particular theme and Fuzzy Measure Theory prepare an "input pape/' that summarizes Zhenyuan Wang, George J. Klir their findings. The papers will be distributed State University of New York at Binghamton prior to the Conversation. The Conversation 341pp., $69.50 is guided by "triggering questions" Plenum Publishing Corp., developed by the teams and takes the form 233 Sprint St., NewYork, NY 10013-1578 of a structured disciplined inquiry process. rel: (212) 620-8000; lax(212) 463-0742 After the Conversation, participants are expected to prepare a publishable paper. Beer Library The IFSR plans to pay the cost of room and The Stalford Classic prominent half board (breakfast & dinner). Those Six of Stafford Beer's books have interested in participating should contact been re-published and are offered as a set (use Bela H. Banathy, 25781 Morse Drive, at t75.00/$120.0. ISBN 0471 951544 Carmel, CA. 93923, USA before the end ol January,1995. Brain of the Firm, 2nd Edition ISBN 0471 94839X (paperback) July 1994, 814.9s/$23.95 The Heart of Enterprise ISBN 0471 948373 (paperback) July 1994, 814.95/$23.95
l0 Series:Editor: Geor,ge I. I(ir E fo$,,i#;$6##rrrffi e$ffi tlmffi effi ffi $*i'tHffi it+Gdsti* !r! : !!!!!!!:i:!i!!!!!+:v'!!!!!!!!i! , ,
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This series, published by Plenum Press on behalf of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR), produces high-quality monographs and textbooks on various topics of systems science and engineering. In keeping with the aims of the IFSR, The International Series on Systems Science and Engineering promotes the scientific study of systems at an international level.
Yolume 9 Volume 7 CHAOTIC TOGIC FACETS OF Language, Thought, and Reality from the Perspective SYSTEMS SCIENCE of Complex Systems Seienee by George J. Klir by Ben Goertzel Offers broad introductory coverage Applies principles of complex systems science to the of the growing field of systems sci- question of how our minds, using language, construct and ence, including its historical roots, perceive the world. Provides the first comprehensive relationship with other areas of mathematical model of human reason, consciousness human affairs, current status, and and personality, drawing upon the concepts of the "dual probable role in the future. Based network" and the "cognitive equation". ln addition to the on Dr. Klir's classroom lectures at relation between mind and reality, this provocative study the State University of NewYork at also explores such issues as the justification of belief Binghamton, the book's first section systems and the connection between creativity and details the author's perspectives on mental illness. the systems science movement. 0-306-44690-1 /296 pp./ill./1 994/$72.s0 The second section contains ($87.00 outside US & Canada) reprints of thirty-five classic papers intro- Yolume B that reinforce the concepts duced in Part 1. Presented in a THE ATTERNATNT MATHEMATICAT non-technical format with a minimal MODET OF TINGUISTIC SEMNTICS use of mathematics, Facets of AND PRAGMATICS Systems Science is intended for the advanced undergraduate or by Vil6m Novik beginning graduate student. Utilizes the functional generative description of natural 0-306-43959-)7680 pp./ill./1 991/$79.50 language to develop a new approach to mathematical ($95.40 outside US & Canada) modeling of the pragmatics and semantics of natural language. lncludes an introduction to the alternative set For more inlormation or to order, please contact theory that provides the basis for this alternative mathe- PTENUM PUBTISHING matical model, emphasizing the phenomenon of vague- CORPORATION ness. Contains a wealth of innovative ideas about 233 Spring Street expressing the semantics of words, phrases, and NewYork, 10013-1578 sentences in mathematical terms. NY 0 -306-44269 -81220 pp./ill./1 99?$65.00 Telephone: ($78.00 outside US & Canada) 21 2-620 -8000/1 -800-22 1 -9369
U Diagnosing The System For Systems Research will continue to be Organizations published four times a year. lt is available at ISBN 0471 951366 (paperback) July 1994, a reduced price of $40 per annum to 814.9s/$23.9s members of societies affiliated to the IFSR. Decision and Contro! The initial contracl is for ten years and The Meaning of Operational Research and royalties will eventually accrue to the IFSR, Management Cybernetics once subscriptions have been built up. ISBN 0471 948381 (paperback) July 1994, Authors receive 25 lree off-prints of their t14.95/$23.95 papers. The first editor of the relauched Platform for Change journal is Professor Mike Jackson, Vice- ISBN 0471 948403 (paperback) July 1994, President of the IFSR. Papers for tl4.95/$23.95 publication should be sent to: Designing Freedom ISBN 0471 95165 X (paperback) July 1994, Professor M.C. Jackson t14.95/$23.95 University of Humberside Cottingham Road Other available titles: Hull. HU6 7RT, United Kingdom Beyond Dispute tel:+44 1482 440550 Ext.3720 The lnvention of Team Syntegrity fax: +44 1482445715 ISBN 0471 94451 3 (hardback) June 1994, 824.95/$39.95 Subscription information can be obtained The Viable System Model from the same source. lnterpretations and Applications of Stafford Beer's VSM Edited by Raul Espejo and Roger Harnden Aims and Scope ISBN 0471 937312 (paperback) 1992, Systems Research provides a forum for the 818.9s/$35.95 exchange ol new ideas and knowledge How Many Grapes Went into the Wine relating to the use of systems thinking lor Stallord Beer on the Art and Science of the development, management and assess- Holistic Management ment of activities, programmes and Edited by Roger Harnden and Allenna organizations. lts scope will be comprehen- Leonard sive, dealing with systems approaches to: ISBN 0471 94296 0 (hardback) May 1994, the redesign of organisational and societa! 41 6 pages, 824.95/$39.95 structures; the management of adminis- trative and business processes; problems of For orders address: change management; the implementation of Jo Underwood, John Wiley & Sons Ltd. procedures to increase the quality of work Baffins Lane, Chichester West Sussex and life; the resolution of clashes of norms POl9 1UD, U, Fax: (0243) 7758 and values; difficulties related to the intro- duction ol new scientific results, etc. Papers should show an appreciation of both theory and application and seek to deal with What is new in problems from an interdisciplinary, systems ''SYSTEMS RESEARCH''? perspective. Readership Systems Research, the official journal of Systems Research will appeal to academics IFSR, is to be relaunched in 1995 as a whose careers largely involve systems work publication of John Wiley and Sons. John and also academics whose primary Wiley is a very prestigious publishing house to research activities lie in other fields, but who which has been responsible for putting into wish take advantage published print the work of many well-known systems to of systems work relevant their own authors. Among their considerable list of to disciplines - for example to those concerned journals System Dynamics Review should with management, management science, be mentioned. and the information and decision sciences.
t2 Sysiems Research will also appeal to and Total Quality Management (Maribor, professionals and practitioners intent on Dec 10-12, 1992). enhancing their own career activities by ln their introduction, the two Programme using systems ideas. To realise these ends Chairmen say: effectively, clarity of writing is essential and The entire world is looking for new models of will be a major factor in manuscript control over the given situation. Systems acceptance. thinking may provide some useful answers. Formally, Systems Theory and Total Quality Systems Research is the official journal of Management are both of the same age, the lnternational Federation for Systems there is, however, hardly any study of their Research and it is, therefore, the intention to relationship. To explore it was the aim of the stress intemational readership appeal. meeting. The present issue of Systems Every eflort will be made to make Sysfems Research presents 15 conference Research attractive to current and potential contributions showing various models. affiliates to the lnternational Federation, including those in developing nations. Matjaz Mulej and Miroslav Rebernik: There is Hardly a fiotal) Quality without Systems Regular Features Thinking Systems Research published, in addition to J.L. Elohim: The Systemic, Cybernetic and regular papers, 'notes and insights' reporting Synergetic Alternative in Quality Management on studies in progress, observations on Elmar A. Stuhler: Philosophy ol Change and methodology, teaching commentaries, Progress notes, There etc. is also a'conespondence' Earl A. Molander and Michael F. Sisavic: section as well as 'book review' and 'news' Contrasting Paradigms and Movements: sections. Occasionally there are special Systems Theory and Total Quality issues devoted to topics of interest to Management members ol the systems community or to Josef Zelger. On the Road to Quality the work of prominent systems researchers. Management: Some Basic Philosophical Past papers include (in alphabeticalorder): Concepts Hellmut Loeckenhofl: Systemic Leadership lor S. Beer: Easter. Strategic Quality Management K.E. Boulding: Systems Research and the Dusko Ursic: Evolution of Quality and Quality of Hierarchy of World Systems. Systems Thinking G. Broekstra: Parts and Wholes in Management Miroslav Rebernik: De-memorizing and and Organization. Changing of Mental Models as a C.W. Church man : Conversations. Precondition lor TQM T.A. Cowan: Paradoxes ol Science as a System. Matjaz Mulej: Quality and lnnovation - What Can H. von Foerster: On Gordon Pask. Be Done without Systems Thinking in M.C. Jackson: Systems Methods lor Depressed Regions? Organizational Analysis and Design. Louis Jacques Filion: Visionary Systems G.J. Klir: Complexity : Some General Thinking (VST) as a Support to Creativity in Observations. the Quality Management (TOM) Process P. Ledington: Relevance, Formality and Process: Janko Kralj: Quality of an Enterprise's Business Toward a Theory of Soft Systems Practice. Operations F.F. Robb: Cybernetics in Management Gerhard Chroust: Quality Aspects of System Thinking. Development Paradigms R. Rosen: The Physics of Complexity. Boris Snoj: Measurement of the Services Quality J.N. Warfield: lmplicit Aspects of Much Systems from the Customer's Perspective Thinking. Stefan Kajzer and Janko Belak: Corporate G. de Zeeuw: Problems of lncreasing Planning as an lnstrument of Asseflion of Competence the Total Quality Timme A. Helzer: Envisioning TQM through Systems Thinking Gontents of vol. 11, no. 1 : Vol. 11 No '1. contains the proceedings of Systems & Quality'92 (STIQE'92), the First lnt. Meeting on Linking Systems Thinking
t3 Conference Annou ncements and simulation o System optimization For contacts, etc. see Calendar of Events. o Large Scale controlsystems EUROCAST'gs. o Flexible manulacturing systems o Distributed computer systems and Sth lnt. Workshop on Computer Aided networks Systems Technology (CAST) o Decision support systems, artificia! intelligence and expert systems EUROCAST'9S welcomes contributions o Application of system analysis to dealing with the following aspects of CAST: technical, management, communication, - User Environments and Tools for CAST transport and biomedical systems - Computer Aided Design of Complex Systems News from the IFSR - Computer-based Systems Engineering - Non-classical Concepts and Methods for Systems Theory Direct Mailing ol the IFSR Newsletter! - Applications of CAST tools Severalindividuals have expressed interst in - Artificial lntelligence for Systems directly receiving the |FsR-Newsletter. We Technology are therefore offering a direcl mail service, -Modern Computational Tools for Complex starting 1995. To simplify the administration Systems send the amount of $10 (to cover mailing EUROCAST'9S attendance is limited and costs) to our bank account 04.05.924.865 at early registration is advisable. Raika, Linz-Traun, Austria (Bank lD No.: 34 500) or mail it to us by registered mail. ln return you will receive the Newsletters for Problems of Excavating Cybernetics and Systems Amsterdam, April 17-21, 1 994 From our Member societies Both of these lields traditionally aim to The 1994ISSS Annual Meeting combine two fields of interest: detaching observable variations from the observer, The 38th Annual Meeting of the lnternational place researcher and intervener, and anaching Society for the Systems Sciences took users, interveners and researchers to June 14-19, 1994, at the Asilomar observable variation. Present developments Conference Center, Pacific Grove, in relation to both of these areas support California. ISSS President Harold A. program divergence rather than interaction, however, Linstone was responsible for planning preparation. posing a challenge. and Managing Director One interest is in the explanation of ordered Linda Peeno handled administrative matters. observational variation, that is complexity. The venue's ideal location on the Monterey peninsula amid pines and dunes along the Here the focus . is on how frames and provided constraints are or become locked in the ocean a delightful setting for the participants. world. The other is in the control of 150 variation. lts aim is to explore how frames The theme of the meeting was: "New and constraints get transferred. Systems Thinking and Action for a New paper Conlerence Chair: Prof. Gerald de Zeeuw, Century". There were 45 sessions with 145 papers, 7 workshops, 2 discussion Dr. Ranulph Glanville, Prof. Robbin R. Hough. groups, a panel discussion, and a demonstration (of computer networking). lnvited plenary speakers included Xll lnt. Conf. on Systems Science Prof. Yehezkel Dror, Hebrew University, Techn. University Wroclaw, Sept 12-15, 95 Jerusalem: the Von Bertalanffy Memorial Lecture - Social Systems Mutations: Topics of this conference are: Tena lncognita o General Systems Theory, control theory o Systems identification, modelling
t4 Prof. George Klir, State University of New presidents whose terms span twenty years York, Binghampton: On the Principles of (James G. Miller '73, George Klir '81, Bela Uncertainty H. Banathy '84, Len Troncale '90, and Prof. Robert R. Ryuoft, George Washington Harold A. Linstone '93). An innovative University - Technology Policy: Fitting feature was a daily pair of seltorganizing Concept With Realily conversations, one on systems practice led Prof. Heinz Von Foerster - The Language of by Bruce Francis and the other on systems Systems and the System of Language theory moderated by Carl Slawski. Dr- Wllis Harman, lnstitute of Noetic Sciences - Global Dilemmas and the FrOm the Treasurer/Secretarv Plausibility of Whole-System Change Dear lfSKmembers! Joseph F. Coates, Coates & Jarratt, lnc. - Why Futures Studies Are so Soru d W uti[I fiaoe notbe{ tfiat I utas uu6te Uninteresting prorti.dr rtt hoet of sentice wfiil.fi I antbipatel ufun artfug officc. llfi.c nasot taos tfrat my secretary feft !n honor of former ISSS President Kenneth anunl lvtay 1994, Ml - lue to conp[icated gooem- Boulding, Bela H. Banathy organized a nental rugu[atioru , I will not 6e aih to fisue a "Boulding session of Conversations", secretary until lanuary 1995. Sirue runting tfie featuring Reckmeyer, Robert \/ William deparanott fial prionty consileruhb IfSK |usintss Theobald, and Patrick Jenlink. There were simpfy got dt{aye[ or zuas not dnte. So pfeose, 6e ar zaitfi also the traditional Presidential Address, me for ootfrer mottfi or so, I fiope tfitt I uiff tfitn 6e given by Harold A. Linstone, and the aitt to futfil[ my furutior as 'Tnwurer/Secretdry to a lncoming President's Address, presented by rz.us ofli 5 b brt e t d s atisfact ior. Donald deRaadt. /ours sincere[g, Cfrroust A Presidential Roundtable on the Society's future offered the views of five ISSS
Discussion Groups on the lnternet Relevant to Cybernetics lnternet provides a fantastic new means to communicate. Many so-called discussion groups have surfaced. They are internet-addresses with an adequate soflware support for communication between group members. Below there is a list ol various such discussion groups. IFSR Newsletter will periodically publish such lists. Send information to the Editor!
Group Name: Cybernetlcs and Systems Focus: General \' Facilitator: Clitf Joslyn
I5 NeWSLETTER
Focus: Autopoiesis and enactive cognitive science Facilitator: Randall Whitaker < rwhitaker@f alco n.aamrl.wpaf b.af. mil>
List address: rwhitaker@falcon. aamrl.wpaf b. af . mil Subscriplion: send a message to Randall Whitaker Group Name: Cybemetics Communications Focus: established recently: framework of a proposed textbook on cybernetics, Facilitator: Jixuan Hu
Calendar of Events Title Date and Place Further lnformation Abbreviations: ClP, CIA: Call t.Papers/Abstract, FP: Final Paper due,
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