Systems

19 pages, 5444 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Developing a Systems Architecture Model to Study the Science, Technology and Innovation in International Studies

by Francisco Del Canto Viterale

Systems 2019, 7(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030046 - 17 Sep 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 7603

The international system has changed rapidly in the last thirty years and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) has become a new critical factor of the world order of the 21st century. The interaction between STI and international affairs has increased, as well as [...] Read more.

The international system has changed rapidly in the last thirty years and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) has become a new critical factor of the world order of the 21st century. The interaction between STI and international affairs has increased, as well as its social and academic interest; however, there is still a lack of new theoretical and methodological approaches that examine this global rising phenomenon. This article is predominantly epistemological and is about how interactions between STI and international relations can be methodologically examined using systems models. This article raises the need for systems science approaches to explaining complex problems in international relations. In this sense, systems science and specifically systemism, offers great potential to study complex issues within a complex social system like the international order. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to develop an original systems framework that provides a comprehensive tool for studying complex topics like STI in the world system. The result is the creation of a Systems Architecture Model that examines the interaction between STI and international affairs from a systemist perspective. Full article

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19 pages, 3000 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

The Rural-Urban Food Systems’ Links with the Agenda 2030: From FAO Guidelines on Food Supply and Distribution Systems to a Dairy Sector Application in the Area of Bogota

by Stefano Armenia, Alessandro Pompei, Andres Camilo Castaño Barreto, Alberto Stanislao Atzori and Jorge M. Fonseca

Systems 2019, 7(3), 45; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030045 - 10 Sep 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5614

Abstract

What should be the policy to meet urban food needs in developing countries and those in transition? This is a key question of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which was posed into the “FAO’s methodological and operational guide [...] Read more.

What should be the policy to meet urban food needs in developing countries and those in transition? This is a key question of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), which was posed into the “FAO’s methodological and operational guide to study and understand Food Supply and Distribution Systems (FSDS) to cities in developing countries and countries in transition” in order to face the current overwhelming increase of urban population and the increasing urbanization pressures on food systems. Following some previous work in the field where it was argued that clarifying the various problems and structure behind Food Supply and Distribution Systems (FSDS) in urban environments is vital to assess policies that aim at meeting urban food needs, the purpose of this paper is to show that the methodological approach known as system dynamics modeling and simulation can lead, in terms of knowledge and/or theoretical contribution, to the unfolding of complexity in this area of research as well as bring into the analysis the relationships across a few goals of the Agenda 2030. As an additional result, we show how the developed model can be applied (case of the production of milk for consumption in the city of Bogota, Colombia) to analyze the dynamics of food supply and distribution systems in urban environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Systems Approach to Sustainability within Agenda 2030 and across SDGs)

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14 pages, 4610 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Model-Based Systems Engineering Concepts to Support Mission Engineering

by Paul Beery and Eugene Paulo

Systems 2019, 7(3), 44; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030044 - 04 Sep 2019

Cited by 22 | Viewed by 10374

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to the utilization of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) early in the system lifecycle, which focuses on early identification of desirable system characteristics to support mission engineering (ME). The paper relies on the definition of an analysis approach and [...] Read more.

This paper presents an approach to the utilization of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) early in the system lifecycle, which focuses on early identification of desirable system characteristics to support mission engineering (ME). The paper relies on the definition of an analysis approach and the associated mapping of architectural products. The analysis strategy focuses on integration of the results of operational simulations and system synthesis models through tradespace visualization. The architectural mapping presents the association of Systems Modeling Language (SysML) products to the analysis strategy. The coordination of these elements is presented as a demonstration of the role that MBSE concepts can play in support of ME. The approach is demonstrated through a case study analysis of a conceptual mine warfare system conducting mine countermeasure operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mission Engineering)

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14 pages, 2216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Circular Economy for Food: A Systemic Interpretation of 40 Case Histories in the Food System in Their Relationships with SDGs

by Franco Fassio and Nadia Tecco

Systems 2019, 7(3), 43; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030043 - 22 Aug 2019

Cited by 45 | Viewed by 14602

Abstract

While the Circular Economy is widely championed by academics, companies, and politicians, its implementation is still an open issue. Its applications reveal a split between theory and practice. This break makes it difficult to pinpoint how coherent practices are with the original concept [...] Read more.

While the Circular Economy is widely championed by academics, companies, and politicians, its implementation is still an open issue. Its applications reveal a split between theory and practice. This break makes it difficult to pinpoint how coherent practices are with the original concept and how to understand the purpose of the actions and assess the results’ effectiveness. This is immediate when we consider the complexity of food. This paper aims to provide further insight on the applications and spill over of the circular economy into the food system. Through the systemic analysis of case histories, the research evaluates the effects of 40 circular economy actions in their relationship with Sustainable Development Goals, by assessing how they have been able to integrate and balance the economic, social, and environmentally sustainable development’s dimensions into the food system. What emerges is that food can be a fertile ground for the implementation of a circular economy’s principle and could also provide support in understanding its evolution and adjusting its objectives accordingly. Food is strategic and could be a perfect field for testing a new approach to raw material and waste and for the development of a new context of inquiry, defined as “Circular Economy for Food”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Systems Approach to Sustainability within Agenda 2030 and across SDGs)

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36 pages, 2693 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Methodology Approach to Creating a Causal Loop Diagram

by NiNa Dhirasasna and Oz Sahin

Systems 2019, 7(3), 42; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030042 - 16 Aug 2019

Cited by 33 | Viewed by 14037

Abstract

Developing causal loop diagrams (CLDs) involves identifying stakeholders and endogenous variables and formulating variable causal relationships. Traditionally, the CLDs are developed mainly using a qualitative approach such as literature review, observations and interviews with stakeholders. However, modellers may question which stakeholders should be [...] Read more.

Developing causal loop diagrams (CLDs) involves identifying stakeholders and endogenous variables and formulating variable causal relationships. Traditionally, the CLDs are developed mainly using a qualitative approach such as literature review, observations and interviews with stakeholders. However, modellers may question which stakeholders should be approached, whether the relevant variables are selected, and what to do when stakeholders perceive different variable relationships in the CLDs differently. Applying in a case study, this research proposes a multi-method approach by combining both quantitative and qualitative methods to select stakeholders, identify endogenous/exogenous variables, and develop the CLDs. The proposed quantitative method is expected to provide modellers with a justifiable stakeholder and variable selection process. The method also highlights possible hidden variables and relationships, which were further explored with a traditional qualitative approach. Full article

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14 pages, 2461 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

A Systems Approach to Establishing an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Institute

by Gregory Harris and Lauren Caudle

Systems 2019, 7(3), 41; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030041 - 16 Aug 2019

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5221

Abstract

Systems engineering is a methodology where an interdisciplinary approach is applied, using systems thinking, to the development of a system of interest. The systems engineering discipline has emerged as an effective way to guide the engineering of complex systems, but has been applied [...] Read more.

Systems engineering is a methodology where an interdisciplinary approach is applied, using systems thinking, to the development of a system of interest. The systems engineering discipline has emerged as an effective way to guide the engineering of complex systems, but has been applied most readily in the realm of cyber physical systems. In some circles of the Federal Government, the mention of systems engineering processes immediately leads people to think of a long, inefficient effort due to an often applied bureaucratic approach, where the focus is on documentation rather than the development of the system of interest, which comes from a view that the product of the systems engineering effort is the document, not the system itself. In this paper, the authors describe the application of systems thinking and the systems engineering process to the design and creation of an Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII, part of the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation) established under Department of Defense (DoD) authority for the Office of the President, that was swift, efficient, and implemented without formality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Thinking: Concepts, Issues, and Applications in Large Complex Systems)

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25 pages, 1273 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Research Design and Major Issues in Developing Dynamic Theories by Secondary Analysis of Qualitative Data

by Bahadir K. Akcam, Senem Guney and Anthony M. Cresswell

Systems 2019, 7(3), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030040 - 15 Aug 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 8352

Abstract

This article discusses the use of the Grounded Theory approach to the analysis of qualitative data to develop dynamic theories. The main objective of the article is to explore the major issues in bringing Grounded Theory and System Dynamics approaches together. The discussion [...] Read more.

This article discusses the use of the Grounded Theory approach to the analysis of qualitative data to develop dynamic theories. The main objective of the article is to explore the major issues in bringing Grounded Theory and System Dynamics approaches together. The discussion employs an example of secondary analysis of qualitative data as a mixed-method research design for System Dynamics researchers. Findings from this example are organized in a table by research stages. Some of the reported major issues have divided researchers in their fields, such as the theoretical sensitivity issue in the Grounded Theory field and the qualitative and quantitative modeling issue in the System Dynamics field. Other major issues, such as the nature and richness of the dataset, can limit the data analysis and the research outputs. Researchers using the mixed-method should address these issues, and the present article offers solutions for them. Full article

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23 pages, 1607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

TRIZ for Digital Systems Engineering: New Characteristics and Principles Redefined

by Kari Lippert and Robert Cloutier

Systems 2019, 7(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030039 - 11 Aug 2019

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 8619

Abstract

While innovation from the systems engineer is desirable at every step in all phases of systems engineering, there must be a methodology to evaluate alternatives. A formal methodology, complete with verification and validation of the results, was developed in 1946 by Soviet engineer [...] Read more.

While innovation from the systems engineer is desirable at every step in all phases of systems engineering, there must be a methodology to evaluate alternatives. A formal methodology, complete with verification and validation of the results, was developed in 1946 by Soviet engineer Genrikh Saulovich Altshuller and is known as “The theory of inventor’s problem solving”, or TRIZ. This approach improves the way a systems engineer’s thinking progresses about a problem’s solution from “what is” towards “what will be” in the innovative development of a solution. The original distinguishing features of systems used in TRIZ were derived from innovations addressing physical, mechanical system, and few of them apply to digital systems. This paper presents additional characteristics that should be considered in the Reduction phase when applying TRIZ to innovation in digital systems engineering and a redefinition of the principles. With the additions of these distinguishing features for digital systems, TRIZ will become an invaluable tool for the digital systems engineer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Systems Engineering)

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13 pages, 2389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Naval Postgraduate School’s Department of Systems Engineering Approach to Mission Engineering Education through Capstone Projects

by Douglas L. Van Bossuyt, Paul Beery, Bryan M. O’Halloran, Alejandro Hernandez and Eugene Paulo

Systems 2019, 7(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030038 - 04 Aug 2019

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7381

Abstract

This article presents an educational approach to applied capstone research projects using a mission engineering focus. It reviews recent advances in mission engineering within the Department of Defense and integrates that work into an approach for research within the Systems Engineering Department at [...] Read more.

This article presents an educational approach to applied capstone research projects using a mission engineering focus. It reviews recent advances in mission engineering within the Department of Defense and integrates that work into an approach for research within the Systems Engineering Department at the Naval Postgraduate School. A generalized sequence of System Definition, System Modeling, and System Analysis is presented as an executable sequence of activities to support analysis of operational missions within a student research project at Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). That approach is detailed and demonstrated through analysis of the integration of a long-range strike capability on a MH-60S helicopter. The article serves as a demonstration of an approach for producing operationally applicable results from student projects in the context of mission engineering. Specifically, it demonstrates that students can execute a systems engineering project that conducts system-level design with direct consideration of mission impacts at the system of systems level. Discussion of the benefits and limitations of this approach are discussed and suggestions for integrating mission engineering into capstone courses are provided. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mission Engineering)

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23 pages, 5348 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Agent-Based Simulation of Hardware-Intensive Design Teams Using the Function–Behavior–Structure Framework

by Mitch Bott and Bryan Mesmer

Systems 2019, 7(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030037 - 24 Jul 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 5671

Abstract

Agile processes have been used in software development, with many case studies indicating positive changes in productivity when these processes are used. Agile processes are beginning to be applied to work beyond software-centric systems. There does not yet exist a diverse set of [...] Read more.

Agile processes have been used in software development, with many case studies indicating positive changes in productivity when these processes are used. Agile processes are beginning to be applied to work beyond software-centric systems. There does not yet exist a diverse set of studies on the effectiveness of Agile processes on hardware-intensive systems. The research in this article applies a modeling and simulation-based approach which uses the function–behavior–structure framework to evaluate the effectiveness of waterfall and Agile processes. The simulation was validated against case studies of software-centric design efforts. When applied to a space launch vehicle—a highly coupled, hardware-intensive system—the simulation shows that the benefits of Agile may not be as great as those seen with software-intensive systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Systems Engineering)

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20 pages, 890 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Theory in Emancipative Action: Aligning Action Research in Information Systems Education with Critical Social Research in Information Systems

by Roelien Goede and Estelle Taylor

Systems 2019, 7(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030036 - 22 Jul 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6487

Abstract

As educators, we want to guide our students so that they develop to the best of their ability and are emancipated. As researchers in education, we often use action research. We use proven theories to guide our intervention to emancipate our students. Or [...] Read more.

As educators, we want to guide our students so that they develop to the best of their ability and are emancipated. As researchers in education, we often use action research. We use proven theories to guide our intervention to emancipate our students. Or do we? Recently, prominent information systems journals have published few papers in the field of information systems education. We demonstrate that the guidelines for action research from a critical social research perspective in information systems are not evident in action research studies in information systems education. The emancipative goals of pure critical social research and reliance on critical social theory to guide our intervention are lacking in these educational studies. Our aim is to provide alignment between educational action research in information systems and information systems research conducted from a critical social theory perspective. Our methodology is to explicitly propose phases of action research from a critical social research perspective, grounded both in information systems and education literature. Then, we demonstrate the value of this approach in a study on the improvement of a data warehousing module. We conclude that by using proven theories and reflecting on the presuppositions in a problem environment, the researcher is able to guide the development of students and the community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Systems Sciences 2018)

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2 pages, 264 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Introduction to the Special Issue “Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Representation”

by Paola Di Maio and Mari Carmen Suárez-Figueroa

Systems 2019, 7(3), 35; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030035 - 22 Jul 2019

Viewed by 5053

Abstract

A guest editorial could have been written when this Special Issue was first announced, to stimulate submissions and guide prospect authors, yet writing it closer to the deadline (together with the deadline extension announcement) makes it possible to highlight recent developments which have [...] Read more.

A guest editorial could have been written when this Special Issue was first announced, to stimulate submissions and guide prospect authors, yet writing it closer to the deadline (together with the deadline extension announcement) makes it possible to highlight recent developments which have happened since [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence Knowledge Representation)

17 pages, 9693 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Sustainability Assessment of Asset Management Decisions for Wastewater Infrastructure Systems—Implementation of a System Dynamics Model

by Hamed Mohammadifardi, Mark A. Knight and Andre A. J. Unger

Systems 2019, 7(3), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030034 - 10 Jul 2019

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 5771

Abstract

The goal of this case study is to demonstrate the application and utility of a developed System Dynamics (SD) model to assess the sustainability of strategic decisions for managing the wastewater collection (WWC) pipe network system for a medium-size municipality in Southern Ontario. [...] Read more.

The goal of this case study is to demonstrate the application and utility of a developed System Dynamics (SD) model to assess the sustainability of strategic decisions for managing the wastewater collection (WWC) pipe network system for a medium-size municipality in Southern Ontario. Two asset management scenarios, suggested by the research-partnered municipality, are adapted based on the acceptable maximum fraction of pipes in the worst condition (ICG5) being equal to (1) 10% of the network-length/year, and (2) the initial 2.8% of network-length/year for the entire life cycle of the asset. The urban densification scenarios are restricted to a 50% urban densification rate. The least maximum rehabilitation rates of 1.41% and 1.85% of network length/year are found necessary to keep the ICG5 pipes fractions below the selected 10% and 2.8% thresholds, respectively. The maximum and minimum user fee-hike rates for WWC and wastewater treatment (WWT) services are adjusted to support the financial self-sustainability aspect. Results from the SD model, as presented over a 100 year simulation period, show that an accelerated rehabilitation strategy will have a lower financial cost with the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study highlights the implications of integrating asset management of wastewater-collection and -treatment systems. Applying such an integrated SD model will help decision makers to forecast the future trends related to social, economic, and environmental performances of wastewater infrastructure systems, and evaluate the behavior of interrelated and complex WWC and WWT systems to find synergistic cost-saving opportunities while at the same time improve sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue A Systems Approach to Sustainability within Agenda 2030 and across SDGs)

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19 pages, 897 KiB

Open AccessReview

Review of Kalman Filter Employment in the NAIRU Estimation

by Katerina Fronckova, Pavel Prazak and Ivan Soukal

Systems 2019, 7(3), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030033 - 28 Jun 2019

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 6036

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to provide a recent overview of Kalman filter employment in the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) estimation. The NAIRU plays a key part in an economic system. A certain unemployment rate which is consistent with a [...] Read more.

The aim of the paper is to provide a recent overview of Kalman filter employment in the non-accelerating inflation rate of unemployment (NAIRU) estimation. The NAIRU plays a key part in an economic system. A certain unemployment rate which is consistent with a stable rate of inflation is one of the conditions for economic system stability. Since the NAIRU cannot be directly observed and measured, it is one of the most fitting problems for the Kalman filter application. The search for original, NAIRU focused and Kalman filter employment studies was performed in three scientific databases: Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A sample of 152 papers was narrowed down to 25 studies, which were described in greater detail regarding the focus, methods, model features, limitations, and other characteristics. A group of studies using a purely statistical approach of decomposing unemployment into a trend and cyclical component was identified. The next group uses the reduced-form approach which is sometimes combined with statistical decomposition. In such cases, the models are usually based on the backward-looking Phillips curve. Nevertheless, the forward-looking, New Keynesian or rarely hybrid New Keynesian variant can also be encountered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Models of Economic Systems)

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22 pages, 718 KiB

Open AccessArticle

From Mosaic to Systemic Redux: The Conceptual Foundation of Resilience and Its Operational Implications for Water Resource Management

by Richard Burgess, Keith Horbatuck and Mario Beruvides

Systems 2019, 7(3), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems7030032 - 26 Jun 2019

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 11042

Abstract

Preserving and enhancing the resilience of water supply systems is an important goal for managers to help ensure the ongoing availability of a resource necessary to both economic activity and basic survival. If not explicitly identified as a goal, it can be inferred [...] Read more.

Preserving and enhancing the resilience of water supply systems is an important goal for managers to help ensure the ongoing availability of a resource necessary to both economic activity and basic survival. If not explicitly identified as a goal, it can be inferred from the desire to preserve water supply against a variety of stressors for current and future generations. Pursuing resilience is less than straightforward as there are multiple concurrent theoretical paradigms. Furthermore, operationalizing even one of these can be challenging. The authors survey several dominant paradigms with an eye towards distilling the essential, combinative properties of resilience. The contention underwriting this approach is that each paradigm yields important insights about resilience as a complex, emergent system characteristic. This survey lays the foundation for the operationalized approach that is the central thrust of the paper. Specifically, the authors develop an equation based on these properties and identify water resource metrics that correspond to each property. The analysis concludes with a preliminary causal loop diagram intended to capture key system variables and relationships between them. The authors argue that a systemic, conceptually robust approach to resilience is necessary to (1) assess current levels, and (2) improve levels of water resource system resilience. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Systems Sciences 2018)

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Systems, Volume 7, Issue 3 (September 2019) – 15 articles

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