Systems Theory
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Control Theory
Control theory S. Simrock DESY, Hamburg, Germany Abstract In engineering and mathematics, control theory deals with the behaviour of dynamical systems. The desired output of a system is called the reference. When one or more output variables of a system need to follow a certain ref- erence over time, a controller manipulates the inputs to a system to obtain the desired effect on the output of the system. Rapid advances in digital system technology have radically altered the control design options. It has become routinely practicable to design very complicated digital controllers and to carry out the extensive calculations required for their design. These advances in im- plementation and design capability can be obtained at low cost because of the widespread availability of inexpensive and powerful digital processing plat- forms and high-speed analog IO devices. 1 Introduction The emphasis of this tutorial on control theory is on the design of digital controls to achieve good dy- namic response and small errors while using signals that are sampled in time and quantized in amplitude. Both transform (classical control) and state-space (modern control) methods are described and applied to illustrative examples. The transform methods emphasized are the root-locus method of Evans and fre- quency response. The state-space methods developed are the technique of pole assignment augmented by an estimator (observer) and optimal quadratic-loss control. The optimal control problems use the steady-state constant gain solution. Other topics covered are system identification and non-linear control. System identification is a general term to describe mathematical tools and algorithms that build dynamical models from measured data. -
Complexity of Social Systems and Paradoxes of Contemporary Security Theory and Policy Making
Czeslaw Mesjasz Cracow University of Economics Kraków, Poland [email protected] Complexity of social systems and paradoxes of contemporary security theory and policy making Paper presented at the CEEISA-ISA 2016 Joint International Conference Ljubljana, Slovenia 23-25 June 2016 (A very preliminary crude draft version, not for quotation) 1. Introduction The grand ideas such as, for example, the risk society of Beck [1992], complexity-stimulated crises discussed by Tainter [1988, 2000], Diamond [1997, 2005], ingenuity gap of Homer-Dixon [2002], and other similar, less publicized visions, lead to the following question. Was the world simpler and less risky in the past? The question brings about several paradoxes embodying actors and issues relating to broadly defined security. On the one hand we are intuitively aware that the present global society with development of IT and all its consequences, increasing number of societal interactions and environmental threats is becoming more difficult to comprehend. On the other, modern science allows for better understanding of the world. It may be then hypothesize that the contemporary discourse on the risk society and complexity of society is not correct when compared with the state of the world in any time in the past and much lower level of understanding of the world in that time. It may be even stated provocatively that although the number of social scientists is increasing only a relatively small of them have a deepened knowledge about the modern social proceses. The above paradox is used as a point of departure of the study of the links between complexity of society in the past and at present, and occurrence of large scale socioeconomic crises (countries, regions, continents, global scale). -
Working Paper 7: Hilmar Schäfer, Current Issues in Practice Theory ([email protected]) August 2014
Please Note: The following working paper was presented at the workshop “Demanding ideas: where theories of practice might go next” held 18-20 June 2014 in Windermere, UK. The purpose of the event was to identify issues and topics that constitute ‘unfinished business’ for people interested in social theories of practice and in the relevance of such ideas for the DEMAND Research Centre. This working paper should not be quoted without first asking the author’s permission. Working Paper 7: Hilmar Schäfer, Current issues in practice theory ([email protected]) August 2014 In order to generate ideas for future developments in practice theory, I would like to start by identifying some of its strengths and weaknesses at the outset. Practice theory’s most important value lies in the decentring of common sociological approaches towards the social. It is concerned with overcoming traditional dichotomies like the separation between society and the individual, culture and the material or thinking and acting. In line with that, it rejects essentialist beliefs and instead advocates a view according to which contextual relations determine identity. By focusing on practices instead of individuals or structure, practice theory offers a relational perspective on the social which parts with monocausal explanations of action. Similar to interpretive approaches, practice theory emphasizes the local production of the social, but it asserts that no situation can exist for itself and that the analysis thus cannot be centred around situational interaction alone. In this regard, it distinguishes itself from the interactionist stance. Rather, the identity of practices, subjects or material things is determined in contexts, which transcend any given situation and which constitute identity in relation to other occurring practices, in relation to the past as well as to different sites. -
Sociology Teaching and Learning Guide
Sociology Teaching and Learning Guide Overview Sociology is the rigorous and methodical study of society. Sociologists investigate the structure of groups, organisations, and societies, and how people interact in various contexts. Anthony Giddens (2013) offers the following definition: Sociology is the study of human social life, groups and societies. It is a dazzling and compelling enterprise, having as its subject matter our own behaviour as human beings. The scope of sociology is extremely wide, ranging from the analysis of passing encounters between individuals in the street up to the investigation of global social processes. The scope of sociology is extremely wide and may encompass a multitude of topic areas and theoretical perspectives. For instance, sociologists are interested in everything from the fleeting interactions of people in everyday life, to gender representations in the media, to large social processes such as globalisation and migration. As such, sociology may be said to be the broadest of social science disciplines and in many ways complements other disciplines such as anthropology, psychology, geography, history and political science, and even subjects like art and literature. While aiming for scientific objectivity, sociologists generally acknowledge that sociology cannot be viewed as a wholly dis-interested enterprise. Being conducted by people already involved in what they study (i.e. society), sociologists acknowledge that values, morals and political perspectives are intertwined with the ‘science of society’. Scientific objectivity and rigour is thus a guiding ideal, but it is recognised that no one has a ‘God’s-eye view’ of reality and sociology is an interpretive undertaking. Rationale Why study sociology? By studying sociology, students develop a critical awareness and understanding of social issues in both local and global contexts. -
An Accidental Resource: the Social Ecological System Framework Applied to Small Wetlands in Sierran Foothill Oak Woodlands1
An Accidental Resource: the Social Ecological System Framework Applied to Small Wetlands in Sierran Foothill Oak 1 Woodlands 2 2 3 Tracy V. Hruska, Lynn Huntsinger, and Jose L. Oviedo, Abstract An ongoing study of the small wetlands in the northern Sierra Nevada foothill oak woodlands that provide habitat for the state-threatened California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus) offers an example of the way that the social ecological systems (SES) framework can be used to analyze a natural resource problem. At the outset, it was hypothesized that the area’s hydrology, West Nile Virus from wetland mosquitos, the population ecology of the bird, and the decisions of landowners would have important impacts on the wetlands and birds. A SES framework was applied to identify and understand the interactions among ecological and human factors. The case of irrigated wetlands in Sierra foothill woodlands turns out to be an example of a fractured SES. Actions within the social system are having profound impacts on the natural system, but these resulting changes in the natural system appear to have little or no feedback to the social system. Intervention points identified include education of landowners, influencing water districts, and incentivizing conservation. Key words: California black rail, irrigation, pasture, water conservation, wildlife Introduction: social ecological systems Small wetlands in the northern Sierra Nevada foothill oak woodlands provide habitat for the state-threatened California black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis coturniculus). One ongoing study of the sustainability of the wetlands offers an example of the way that the social ecological systems (SES) framework can be used to analyze a natural resource problem. -
1 Umpleby Stuart Reconsidering Cybernetics
UMPLEBY STUART RECONSIDERING CYBERNETICS The field of cybernetics attracted great attention in the 1950s and 1960s with its prediction of a Second Industrial Revolution due to computer technology. In recent years few people in the US have heard of cybernetics (Umpleby, 2015a, see Figures 1 and 2 at the end of Paper). But a wave of recent books suggests that interest in cybernetics is returning (Umpleby and Hughes, 2016, see Figure at the end of Paper). This white paper reviews some basic ideas in cybernetics. I recommend these and other ideas as a resource for better understanding and modeling of social systems, including threat and response dynamics. Some may claim that whatever was useful has already been incorporated in current work generally falling under the complexity label, but that is not the case. Work in cybernetics has continued with notable contributions in recent years. Systems science, complex systems, and cybernetics are three largely independent fields with their own associations, journals and conferences (Umpleby, 2017). Four types of descriptions used in social science After working in social science and systems science for many years I realized that different academic disciplines use different basic elements. Economists use measurable variables such as price, savings, GDP, imports and exports. Psychologists focus on ideas, concepts and attitudes. Sociologists and political scientists focus on groups, organizations, and coalitions. Historians and legal scholars emphasize events and procedures. People trained in different disciplines construct different narratives using these basic elements. One way to reveal more of the variety in a social system is to create at least four descriptions – one each using variables, ideas, groups, and events (See the figures and tables in Medvedeva & Umpleby, 2015). -
Information Systems Foundations Theory, Representation and Reality
Information Systems Foundations Theory, Representation and Reality Information Systems Foundations Theory, Representation and Reality Dennis N. Hart and Shirley D. Gregor (Editors) Workshop Chair Shirley D. Gregor ANU Program Chairs Dennis N. Hart ANU Shirley D. Gregor ANU Program Committee Bob Colomb University of Queensland Walter Fernandez ANU Steven Fraser ANU Sigi Goode ANU Peter Green University of Queensland Robert Johnston University of Melbourne Sumit Lodhia ANU Mike Metcalfe University of South Australia Graham Pervan Curtin University of Technology Michael Rosemann Queensland University of Technology Graeme Shanks University of Melbourne Tim Turner Australian Defence Force Academy Leoni Warne Defence Science and Technology Organisation David Wilson University of Technology, Sydney Published by ANU E Press The Australian National University Canberra ACT 0200, Australia Email: [email protected] This title is also available online at: http://epress.anu.edu.au/info_systems02_citation.html National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry Information systems foundations : theory, representation and reality Bibliography. ISBN 9781921313134 (pbk.) ISBN 9781921313141 (online) 1. Management information systems–Congresses. 2. Information resources management–Congresses. 658.4038 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. Cover design by Brendon McKinley with logo by Michael Gregor Authors’ photographs on back cover: ANU Photography Printed by University Printing Services, ANU This edition © 2007 ANU E Press Table of Contents Preface vii The Papers ix Theory Designing for Mutability in Information Systems Artifacts, Shirley Gregor and Juhani Iivari 3 The Eect of the Application Domain in IS Problem Solving: A Theoretical Analysis, Iris Vessey 25 Towards a Unied Theory of Fit: Task, Technology and Individual, Michael J. -
Emergent Behavior in Systems of Systems John S
Emergent Behavior in Systems of Systems John S. Osmundson Thomas V. Huynh Department of Information Sciences Department of Systems Engineering Naval Postgraduate School Naval Postgraduate School 1 University Circle 1 University Circle Monterey, CA 93943, USA Monterey, CA 93943, USA [email protected] [email protected] Gary O. Langford Department of Systems Engineering Naval Postgraduate School 1 University Circle Monterey, CA 93943 [email protected] Copyright © 2008 by John Osmundson, Thomas Huynh and Gary Langford. Published and used by INCOSE with permission. Abstract. As the development of systems of systems becomes more important in global ventures, so does the issues of emergent behavior. The challenge for systems engineers is to predict and analyze emergent behavior, especially undesirable behavior, in systems of systems. In this paper we briefly discuss definitions of emergent behavior, describe a large-scale system of system that exhibits emergent behavior, review previous approaches to analyzing emergent behavior, and then present a system modeling and simulation approach that has promise of allowing systems engineers to analyze potential emergent behavior in large scale systems of systems. Introduction Recently there has been increased interest in what has been become known as systems of systems (SoS) and SoS engineering. Examples of SoS are military command, control, computer, communications and information (C4I) systems (Pei 2000), intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems (Manthrope 1996), intelligence collection management systems (Osmundson et al 2006a), electrical power distribution systems (Casazza and Delea 2000) and food chains (Neutel 2002.), among others. Much of this current interest in SoS is focused on the desire to integrate existing systems to achieve new capabilities that are unavailable by operation of any of the existing single individual systems. -
What Is a Complex System?
What is a Complex System? James Ladyman, James Lambert Department of Philosophy, University of Bristol, U.K. Karoline Wiesner Department of Mathematics and Centre for Complexity Sciences, University of Bristol, U.K. (Dated: March 8, 2012) Complex systems research is becoming ever more important in both the natural and social sciences. It is commonly implied that there is such a thing as a complex system, different examples of which are studied across many disciplines. However, there is no concise definition of a complex system, let alone a definition on which all scientists agree. We review various attempts to characterize a complex system, and consider a core set of features that are widely associated with complex systems in the literature and by those in the field. We argue that some of these features are neither necessary nor sufficient for complexity, and that some of them are too vague or confused to be of any analytical use. In order to bring mathematical rigour to the issue we then review some standard measures of complexity from the scientific literature, and offer a taxonomy for them, before arguing that the one that best captures the qualitative notion of the order produced by complex systems is that of the Statistical Complexity. Finally, we offer our own list of necessary conditions as a characterization of complexity. These conditions are qualitative and may not be jointly sufficient for complexity. We close with some suggestions for future work. I. INTRODUCTION The idea of complexity is sometimes said to be part of a new unifying framework for science, and a revolution in our understanding of systems the behaviour of which has proved difficult to predict and control thus far, such as the human brain and the world economy. -
Transformations)
TRANSFORMACJE (TRANSFORMATIONS) Transformacje (Transformations) is an interdisciplinary refereed, reviewed journal, published since 1992. The journal is devoted to i.a.: civilizational and cultural transformations, information (knowledge) societies, global problematique, sustainable development, political philosophy and values, future studies. The journal's quasi-paradigm is TRANSFORMATION - as a present stage and form of development of technology, society, culture, civilization, values, mindsets etc. Impacts and potentialities of change and transition need new methodological tools, new visions and innovation for theoretical and practical capacity-building. The journal aims to promote inter-, multi- and transdisci- plinary approach, future orientation and strategic and global thinking. Transformacje (Transformations) are internationally available – since 2012 we have a licence agrement with the global database: EBSCO Publishing (Ipswich, MA, USA) We are listed by INDEX COPERNICUS since 2013 I TRANSFORMACJE(TRANSFORMATIONS) 3-4 (78-79) 2013 ISSN 1230-0292 Reviewed journal Published twice a year (double issues) in Polish and English (separate papers) Editorial Staff: Prof. Lech W. ZACHER, Center of Impact Assessment Studies and Forecasting, Kozminski University, Warsaw, Poland ([email protected]) – Editor-in-Chief Prof. Dora MARINOVA, Sustainability Policy Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia ([email protected]) – Deputy Editor-in-Chief Prof. Tadeusz MICZKA, Institute of Cultural and Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland ([email protected]) – Deputy Editor-in-Chief Dr Małgorzata SKÓRZEWSKA-AMBERG, School of Law, Kozminski University, Warsaw, Poland ([email protected]) – Coordinator Dr Alina BETLEJ, Institute of Sociology, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Poland Dr Mirosław GEISE, Institute of Political Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland (also statistical editor) Prof. -
Two Canadian Case Studies Alex Ryan and Mark Leung
RSD2 Relating Systems Thinking and Design 2013 working paper. www.systemic-design.net Systemic Design: Two Canadian Case Studies Alex Ryan and Mark Leung Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context – a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan —Eliel Saarinen1 A systems approach begins when first you see the world through the eyes of another —C. West Churchman2 Design is the future of systems methodology —Russ Ackoff3 Design is about unlocking the possibilities that lie within multiple perspectives. That design is about solving a complex problem with multiple constraints – John Maeda4 Introduction The currently fragmented state of ‘systems + design’ praxis is curious in light of the affinities between the two interdisciplines, as emphasized in the quotations above. To explain why designers and systems thinkers have not been talking to each other, we may look to their differences. Design as evolution of craft has been characterized as “thinking with your hands” and as such is rooted in an epistemology of practice.5 In contrast, the systems movement began with Ludwig von Bertalanffy’s General System Theory, which placed systems thinking above the disciplinary sciences, in order to provide a non-reductionist foundation for the unity of science.6 Whereas the designer learns by doing in concrete situations, the systems thinker’s knowledge accrues by abstracting away from the particular details of any specific instance of practice. But if this genealogy is sufficient to account for the lack of dialogue between and synthesis of systems + design, then the two interdisciplines are on a collision course. -
The Practical Turn' David G
8 The Practical Turn' David G. Stern What is Practice Theory? What is a Practice? What is "practice theory"? The best short answer is that it is any theory that treats practice as a fundamental category, or takes practices as its point of departure . Naturally, this answer leads to further questions . What is meant by "practices" here? What is involved in taking practices as a point of departure or a fundamental category, and what does that commitment amount to? And what is the point of the contrast between a practice-based theory and one that starts elsewhere? Perhaps the most significant point of agreement among those who have taken the practical turn is that it offers a way out of Procustean yet seemingly inescap- able categories, such as subject and object, representation and represented, con- ceptual scheme and content, belief and desire, structure and action, rules and their application, micro and macro, individual and totality . Instead, practice the- orists propose that we start with practices and rethink our theories from the ground up. Bourdieu, for instance, insists that only a theory of practice can open up a way forward : Objective analysis of practical apprehension of the familiar world . teaches us that we shall escape from the ritual either/or choice between objectivism and subjectiv- ism in which the social sciences have so far allowed themselves to be trapped only if we are prepared to inquire into the mode of production and functioning of the practical mastery which makes possible both an objectively intelligible practice and also an objectively enchanted experience of that practice .