The 42nd Annual Conference

of the
International Society for the Systems Sciences
July 18 - 25 1998,
Held at Georgia Tech
Atlanta Geogia

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 42 ND ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF
THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE SYSTEMS SCIENCES

Janet K. Allen, Jennifer M. Wilby, Editors

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Table of Contents and Abstracts

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Ahari, Parviz Systemic Usability Engineering Experiences From Software
Development Project 3069

Allen, Janet K. The Development of a Sustainable System Under Uncertainty 3135

Allen, Janet K. Numerical Simulation Approaches For Modeling Industrial
Ecosystems 3104

Allen, Janet K. On Evolution and Engineering Systems Development 3109

Bailey, Reid Numerical Simulation Approaches For Modeling Industrial
Ecosystems 3104

Bakehouse, George J. Higher Education In The U.K.: To Sustain or Not to Sustain the
Current System 3127

Bakehouse, George J. Information, Its Dimensions and Quality 3129

Bashias, Norman J. Using Distributed Computing Systems for Systemic Problem-Solving
3009

Bausch, Kenneth C. A Confluence of Paradigm and Technology 3165

Bazewicz, Mieczyslaw On a Systemic Image of the Nature of Information 3108

Beeson, Ian Knowledge Drains: Automation and the Loss of Local Expertise 3038

Beeson, Ian Software for Sustaining Community: Metaphors in Collision 3039

Beeson, Ian Negotiating Expectations: Towards Sustainable Technology 3041

Benking, Heiner A House of Horizons and Perspectives a Cognitve Deep Openspace For Positioning, Comparing, Merging and
Morphing our Metaphors, Models, Maps and Views 3060

Bergson, Bryan The Univesal Language 3008

 

Bergson, Bryan Darwin Evolution 3176

Bergvall-Kareborn, B. Analysing the Managerial Concept of Soft Systems Methodology
and Multi-Modal Systems Thinking 3164

Bhola, H.S. Between the Social and the Spiritual: Reconciliation in South
Africa 3178

Biggiero, Lucio Sources of Complexity in Human Systms 3194

Blind, Knut The Influence of Personal Attitudes on the Estimation of The
Future Development of Science and Technology: A Factor
Analysis Approach 3065

Brady, Chris Football, Business, and Government - Can Studies of High Level
Teams Across Disciplines Produce Generic Principles For
Management 3072

Bras, Bert Energy Accounting - A Step Towards Sustainability 3073

Bras, Bert Numerical Simulation Approaches For Modeling Industrial
Ecosystems 3104

Broadbent, John A. Rationale For a System Approach to Industrial Design Education 3105

Brown, M.T. Emergy, Environmental Loading, and Carrying Capacity of
Production Systems 3151

Bryant, Alden Human Society at the Climate Crossroads 3093

Burkhardt, Helmut Ecological Sustainability Through Alternative Energy 3171

Byeon, Jong Heon Consolidation of a Democratic System in the Bifurcation Process3062

Elohimjl Learning to Build a Sustainable Economy: It Ought to Be
Terrestrially, Biologically & Humanely Minded 3056

Emblesvag, Jan Energy Accounting - A Step Towards Sustainability 3073

Escoe, Kenneth The Development of a Systainable System Under Uncertainty 3135

Evans, Thomas The Flaw in the Defenition of a Liability 3003

Farre, George L. Emergence: Its Characteristics and Limits 3153

Fey, Willard R. Pie in the Sky': A System Dynamics Perspective of Sustainability
3191

Francois, Charles Human System Inquiry About Sustainable Development: A
Proposal for a Systemic Methodology of Inquiry 3066

Frandberg, Tage Living Systems a Study of Its Philosophical Background 3048

Friend, Gil Business-Driven Sustainable Development By "Back-Casting"
From First Order Sustainability Principles 3120

Galloway, Walter B. Appreciative Inquiry: A Mechanism For Maximizing Empower in
Social Systems 3107

Gawitrha Toward A Science With Soul 3085

Georgiades, Savvas D. A Synthesis of Systemic Change in Child Protective Services:
Meta-level Implications For Family Preservation Practice 3190

Grupp, Hariolf The Influence of Personal Attitudes on the Estimation of The
Future Development of Science and Technology: A Factor
Analysis Approach 3065

Guimaraes, Tor Using a Systems Approach to Analyze the Impact of Financial
Systems On Society 3079

Hamchaoui, Lara The Influence of Behavoural Skills on Performance Management
and Its Implications For Businesses Today 3068

Hammond, Debora Historical Perspective on the ISSS: Concluding Reflections 3087

Hawk, David L. Sustainable Technology as a Revisitation of the Entropy
Argument & Related Dreams of Reason 3037

Hebel, M. Human Values in Technology 3028

Herrmann, Amy E. The Development of a Sustainable System UInder Uncertainty 3135

Herrscher, Enrique, G. A Systems Approach to Business Ethics A Discussion Paper 3029

Hershey, Daniel Entropy, Infinity, and God - The Universe and Beyond 3005

Hershey, Daniel Six Parameters for Restructuring a Corporation: A Case History 3006

Herz, Sylvia Homocidal Pre-teens Do Not Come from Mars 3185

Hilton, Brian John The Impact of Modern Commercial Production and Procurement
Practices on Cost Estimating and Forecasting 3200

Holmberg, John Business-Driven Sustainable Development By "Back-Casting"
From First Order Sustainability Principles 3120

Hung, Shih-Chang Personal Computer Technology and Taiwanese Institutional
Structures 3112

Hutchinson, W.E. The Role of Pragmatism in the Use of Systems Thinking for
Organisational Change 3010

Ishida, Kazunari A Simulator For Operational Organization Design 3096

Ishida, Kazunari A Cyber Commons In a Virtual Society 3097

Jaros, Gyorgy Sustainable Technology: Meeting of Spirit, Mind and Matter 3001

Jaros, Gyorgy Living Systems Theory of James Grier Miller and Teleonics 3203

Jeffery, Christopher A Systems Approach to Measurement of Customer Loyalty -Case
Evidence 3100

Jeffery, Christopher The Creation of Metaphors to Illustrate the Complexity of
Customer Loyalty 3101

Kangas, Patrick Modeling Dangerous Ideas: The Energetics of Revolution 3110

Karamanos, Anastasios Managerial Heuristics For Knowledge Creation 3119

Kauffman, L. Process Thermodynamics and Information Entropy. Empirical
Study and Mathematical Formulation 3091

Kauffman, L. Mathematical Physiology: A Process Theory of Systems 3092

Kelliher, Charles F. The Flaw in the Defenition of a Liability 3003

Kleva, Marty Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as a Path to Individuation
Through the Hero's Journey: A Phenomenological Study 3036

Kick, Russell C. Spirituality and the New Millennium 3007

Konecki, J. Applying the Process Theory of Systems to Deprssive Illness:
Coupling Neurohormone and Co-Creative Behavior 3090

Krattli, Inga Territoriality and Social Organization: A Study on Man's Spatial
Relationships 3199

Lam, Ann C. Wimberly "Pie in the Sky': A System Dynamics Perspective of Sustainability
3191

Latorre, Emilio. The Balanced Method: A Holistic Approach to Enterprise
Environmental Impact Assessment 3018

Latorre, Emilio E. The Environmental Management System in Cali, Columbia The
Use of a Systems Approach to Design a City Environmental
Authority 3019

Latorre, Emilio E. The Use of the Primer Project and Systems Science in Teaching
Environmental Enterprise Management in a University in
Cali, Columbia 3020

Lee, Beomung Communitarin Ethics and System Thinking to Build the
Sustainable Ecological Community 3159

Levidow, Les Exploring the Links Between Science, Risk, Uncertainity and
Ethics in Regulatory Controversies About the Commercial
Release of Genetically Modified Crops in Europe 3156

Levkov, Sergey System Approach to Modeling the Stock Market Trading
Patterns 3183

Levkov, Sergey Neuronet Approach to System Analysis and Modeling of Large
Social, Ecological, and Economical Systems 3184

Maier-Speredelozzi, Valerie The Development of a Systainable System Under
Uncertainty 3135

Mandel, Thomas The Four Winds: Meta-Perspectualism and Perspectualism the
One and The Many 3077

Marenko, Alexander System Approach to Modeling the Stock Market Trading
Patterns
3183

Marenko, Alexander Neuronet Approach to System Analysis and Modeling of Large
Social, Ecological, and Economical Systems 3184

Martin, Jay Emergy Analyses of River Diversions Within the Mississippi
Delta
3054

McGarry, Donna DeWitt Next Level Thinking 3179

McNamara, Curt Applied Systems Thinking 3115

Minati, Gianfranco Conceptual Frameworks for the Representation of Growth,
Development and Sustainable Development 3011

Mirijamdotter, Anita A Multi-Modal Systems Extension to Soft Systems Methodology:
An Empirical Study 3161

Miskelly, Clodagh Software for Sustaining Community: Metaphors in Collision 3039

Mistree, Farrokh Numerical Simulation Approaches For Modeling Industrial
Ecosystems 3104

Nava-Tudela, Alfredo Modeling Dangerous Ideas: The Energetics of Revolution 3110

Odum, Howard T. Energy Hierarchy of the Earth 3067

Odum, Howard T. Limits to Memory in Ecosystems and Society 3114

O'Hara, Maggi Behavioral Treatment For the Developmentally Disabled: A
Systems Analysis of a Florida Residential Service Program 3078

Ohta, Toshizumi A Simulator For Operational Organization Design 3096

Ohta, Toshizumi A Cyber Commons In a Virtual Society 3097

Olivia-Lopez, Eduardo Promoting Inquiring Attitudes For Effective Managerial
Development 3080

Parent, Elaine R. Application of a Living Systems Perspective on Human
Experience: An Educational Model for Life Planning and
Change 3016

Parent, Elaine R. A Living Systems Perspective as a Metaframework for Viewing
the Dynamics of Human Experience 3017

Park, Hyo-chong The Medical Insurance as an Agenda For Systems thinking: The
Korean Case 3157

Park, Jiwoon The Ethical Cognition About Complex World 3158

Patel, M. Applying the Process Theory of Systems to Deprssive Illness:
Coupling Neurohormone and Co-Creative Behavior 3090

Patel, M. Process Thermodynamics and Information Entropy. Empirical
Study and Mathematical Formulation 3091

Pederson, Kjartan Numerical Simulation Approaches For Modeling Industrial
Ecosystems 3104

Pesch, Gerald G. Appreciative Inquiry: A Mechanism For Maximizing Empower in
Social Systems 3107

Pothas, Anne-Marie Methodological Issues in Qualitative Analyses Based on Open-Ended
Questions: Whom to Question? 3147

Pothas, Anne-Marie Methodological Issues in Qualitative Analyses Based on Open-Ended
Questions: Phrasing the Questions 3148

Porter, Alan L. Forecasting Technological Sustainability 3071

Rapoport, Anatol The Problem of Peace From a General Systems Theory
Perspective 3193

Randrup, Axel The Perennial Philosophy 3013

Reavill, Lawrence R.P. The Influence of Behavoural Skills on Performance Management
and Its Implications For Businesses Today 3068

Reavill, Lawrence R.P. Football, Business, and Government - Can Studies of High Level
Teams Across Disciplines Produce Generic Principles For
Management 3072

Reavill, Lawrence R.P. A Systems Based Stakeholder Model of Higher Education 3082

Reavill, Lawrence R.P. The Application of Chaos Theory to the Management of Change
in Organisations: A Theory of Humility: Metaphor or
Reality 3084

Reavill, Lawrence R.P. Towards and Analytical Framework for Change 3118

Rhee, Yong Pil Complex Systems Model For the Analysis of Politics 3131

Robert, Karl-Henrik Business-Driven Sustainable Development By "Back-Casting"
From First Order Sustainability Principles 3120

Robinson, Sionade The Influence of Behavoural Skills on Performance Management
and Its Implications For Businesses Today 3068

Robinson, Sionade The Creation of Metaphors to Illustrate the Complexity of
Customer Loyalty 3101

Robles-Diaz-de-Leon, L.F. Modeling Dangerous Ideas: The Energetics of Revolution 3110

Rose, James Integrity Pradigm A Systems Process and Philosophy 3043

Rose, James Systems Ethics: Coordinating Respect, Priorities and
Opportunities 3044

Rose, James Broad Application of "Integrity" to Sustainability 3046

Rose, James Proportional Entropies: A New Class of Power Law 3047

Rose, James A House of Horizons and Perspectives a Cognitve Deep
Openspace For Positioning, Comparing, Merging and
Morphing our Metaphors, Models, Maps and Views 3060

Rose, James Broad Application of Sustainability 3197

Rose, James N. Integrity Paradigm: A Systems Process and Philospohy 3033

Rosen, David W. The Development of a Sustainable System Under Uncertainty 3135

Sabelli, H. Applying the Process Theory of Systems to Deprssive Illness:
Coupling Neurohormone and Co-Creative Behavior 3090

Sabelli, H. Mathematical Physiology: A Process Theory of Systems 3092

Salvary, Stanley W.C. Instrumentation and Calibration in Financial Accounting 3121

Savva, Savely A Systems Approach in Biology and Biophysics 3032

Schoon, Ben Sustainable Food Production and Structures of Responsibility 3145

Scott, Elaine The Application of Chaos Theory to the Management of Change
in Organisations: A theory of Humility: Metaphor or Reality3084

Schwaninger, Markus Organizational Intelligence: The Ecological Dimension 3170

Sendzimir, Jan Limits to Memory in Ecosystems and Society 3114

Silva-Mendoza, E. R. Promoting Inquiring Attitudes For Effective Managerial
Development 3080

Simms, James R. Living Systems Theory, Information and Knowledge 3180

Slawski, Carl Social E-Co-Realization: A Biospherical Ideal of "Syntropic
Wisdom" 3026

Slawski, Carl Triangulating Levels of 'True Theory': The Case of 'Earth and
Global-Societal Sustainability 3027

Starkermann, Rudolf Unity is Strength: From "Viribus Unitis" To "Corruptio" 3030

Starkermann, Rudolf The Enemy of My Enemy is My Friend 3167

Strickland, Francis Towards and Analytical Framework for Change 3118

Strijbos, S. Towards a New Critical Systems Thinking: Philosophical
Reflections on Systems Methodology and Systemms Ethics
3144

Subramanian, B.G. NLq Theory Applications to Modeling Complex Nonlinear
Systems 3113

Sugerman,A. Applying the Process Theory of Systems to Deprssive Illness:
Coupling Neurohormone and Co-Creative Behavior 3090

Sugerman,A. Process Thermodynamics and Information Entropy. Empirical
Study and Mathematical Formulation 3091

Sundel, Martin A Social Systems Approach to Improve Mental Health and Ethnic
Relations In Cyprus 3034

 

Tausner, Miriam R. Using Distributed Computing Systems for Systemic Problem-Solving
3009

Tilley, David R. Emergy Basis For Ecosystem Management: Valuing the Work of
Nature and Humanity 3095

Tracy, Lane How to Kill a Living System 3181

Trees, Kathryn The Role of Information Systems in Sustaining Indigenous
Communities: The Ieramugadu Cultural Project 3134

Turk, Andrew The Role of Information Systems in Sustaining Indigenous
Communities: The Ieramugadu Cultural Project 3134

Uligiati, S. Emergy, Environmental Loading, and Carrying Capacity of
Production Systems 3151

van der Lei, J. Evaluation of a Drug-Safety System 3142

van der Stoep, Jan Internet: A Game Without Rules 3143

Vanegas, Jorge Towards Sustainable Civil Infrastructure Systems 3094

van Gigch, John P. The Viability of System Science as a Scientific Discipline 3061

Vlug, A.E. Evaluation of a Drug-Safety System 3142

Waters, Sam Information, Its Dimensions and Quality 3129

White, Elizabeth Homo's Quest For Understanding Viewed as Innate Human
Spirituality: Implications For Secular Leadership 3102

Williams, M. C. The Influence of Multi-Modal Thinking on a Self-Study of
Teaching Reform In a University Information Systems
Course 3025

Wilby, Jennifer M. Three Paths For Exploring Hierarchy Theory 3173

Wilton, J. T. Process Oriented Change With the Industrial Supply System - A
Systemic Evaluation of Current Practices 3106

Wood, Fred B. The N-Dimensional Knowledge Proximity Approach To
Technology Assessment: The Case of Quantum
Electromagnetic Systems 3103

Zelenskiy, Valeriy V. System Approach to Modeling the Stock Market Trading
Patterns 3183

Zhu, Zhichang A Trinitarian Relations Inquiry System in Systems/Management
Approaches? - More Findings 3002

Understanding the environmental and cultural impacts of economic development choices is a global imperative as our world resources continue to be depleted and international capital overtakes the natural frontiers. Theoretical frameworks of complex ecological systems are necessary to evaluate the nested, multiple scale effects of human actions in nature. Through research that explicitly addresses the interconnected human and natural impacts of development we can hope to successfully influence policy. One such natural frontier that has recently seen significant development is the island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. Even eco-tourism development generates effects that ripple through natural and cultural environments. This case study, conducted by an anthropologist in one year of fieldwork, identifies and examines these global processes, with focused attention to both larger and smaller scale impacts. This case study uses Emergy accounting to evaluate the flows of natural and imported goods that have become part of Bonaire’s tourism development. And it uses Emergy theory to attempt to understand the social-organizational-economic transformations that have accompanied this lower-impact development alternative.

The managerial conventional wisdom holds that experience is the best teacher. This view has been reinforced by the popular press. The current thrust of the theoretical literature, however bypasses this potentially paralysing paradox by shifting its focus from the management of tangibles to that of intangible assets and knowledge.
As globalization becomes a reality and hypercompetition is pervasive, organizational learning theorists (e.g, Levinthal & March, 1993; Nass, 1994; Nonak, 1994) hold that the art of management itself could also benefit from continuous improvement. However, as pointed out by Weick (1979), Ackoff (1981) and Mintzberg (1989, 1994), strategic larning involves complex processes; yet one can hardly opt out of the competitive race.
One approach is to conjure up a multiplicity of futures and thus assess environmental uncertainties and their implications (Wack, 1985; Schoemaker, 1993). With current advances in information technology (IT), this approach is emerging as a leading-edge area of strategic theory. In addition to devising environmental scenarios, it has been shown by Acar (1983) and Georgantzas and Acar (1995) that the outcomes resulting from environmental triggers and company actions can be computed on a contingency basis by alternating forward and backward analyses, thus providing a resolution of Weick's (1979) paradox.
This paper presents an approach to the scenario analysis of complex sociooeconomic environments based on a causal mapping technique that allows accurate representations of the propagation of change in a causal network. Because it is a representation of cognitive certainties and uncertainties, it is an excellent vehicle for an analytically-based form of strategic organizational learning.

Keywords: Knowledge Management, Assumptional Analysis, Causal Mapping, Strategic Organizational Analsis

Software development involves customers, designers and products. The relations among these components seem to be quite obvious. Customers need a product and sometimes they contact designers to develop and deliver this product.
However, customers do not want just a product. They require that the product should have certain characteristics, for example, in respect to quality, price, delivery time, compatibility, extendability, integrability with other products, operation and maintenace.
These requirements make the product development a difficult task which initiates complex activities. In addtion to these issues it may also happen that customers do not know exactly what they want or the product that they want may not be the product which they should have.
These complex activities involve individuals, groups, organizations and societies. They involve also other products, standards, regulations, guidelines, cultural aspects, and ethical issues.
In this paper some experiences from a software development project will be discussed from the systemic usability engineering point of view. Systemic usability engineering integrates living systems theory and breakthrough thinking with engineering activities and issues. It provides an effective methodology for understanding systems' purposes, complex processes and their relations. This knowledge is required for developing more useful products for human systems.

Ecological sustainability depends on societal sustainability. Societies are problem-solving systems whose hierarchical structure elaborates horizontally and eventually vertically in the face of problems. Horizontal elaboration arises from solving local problems as they arise, as happens in evolution of biological systems. Societies are complicated, like organisms, in that the infrastructure left from past problem-solving accumulates. Such complicated systems soon become unmanageable, as diminishing returns (marginal product) make the cost of problem solving too burdensome (eg. in the Western Roman Empire was abandoned. The way out is vertical differentiation through emergence, when local solutions stumble into positive feedback. For instance, coal-fueled pumps facilitate deeper mines (Roman slaves with buckets would have gone nowhere). Modern complex society derives from a series of vertical differentiations related to energy capture: agriculture, irrigation and metallurgy, imperialism, and industrialization. The information revolution offers the potential both to capture and conserve energy, but the quality of information is presently poor. The next recalibration must be of information quality.
Supply side sustainability recommends plugging into the sun with as little complicatedness as possible. 1) Manage for whole ecosystems, not resources. 2) Manage from the context to facilitate internal functioning. The healthy ecosystems in context subsidize the effort. 3) Use positive feedbacks to achieve system change. Today that means commerce. In the quality revolution, standards could be maintained by academic institutions (which presently play a marginal role). Failure to achieve a government catalyzed, business driven, academically facilitated increase in quality will lead quickly to non-sustainability.

Complexity needs to be parsed into two parts: 1) complicatedness and b) complexity of organization. In hierarchical terms, complicated systems are strongly horizontally differentiated to make a flat hierarchy. Such systems exhibit complicated behavior. As systems differentiate horizontally, they tend to differentiate vertically also, developing new levels of organization by an elaboration of organization. In contrast to horizontal differentiation, increased vertical differentiation makes system behavior simpler by collapsing degrees of freedom against the constraints coming from the upper levels. It is worth looking into ecological systems to see if there is a distinction between variables for complicatedness, which should increase continuously with system size, and variables for organizational complexity, which should change discretely with system size.

While technology is one of the most important factors in modern society, it is ironically somewhat neglected in both social theory and systems theory. This is partly due to the current emphasis on living systems. For example, Living Systems Theory seldom emphasizes the term “technology”, instead of referring to technological entities as “artifacts”, and generally treating them as inclusions into human systems. Sociological theory, while never emphasizing technology to any great degree becomes ever more specialized and fragmented). We clearly need a marcosociological systems theory that is broad enough to incorporate nonliving elements such as technology, along with living elements such as social organization.
I have endeavored to construct such and integrated theory in the form of Social Entropy Theory (SET). SET utilizes, among other things, the acronym PISTOL, for Population, Information, Space, Technology, Organization, and Level of Living. These are seen to be six important and interrelated factors that are used by every society -- large or small -- in its everyday development. According to this model, each society utilizes energy (either internal or imported) to adapt to its particular spatial environment. This involves doing work thought both its available technology, and its particular level of organizational development. With its spatial area and population size as givens at a particular point in time, each society must utilize information , organization and technology (including both information technology and non-information technology) in order to produce the maximally efficient degree of work that its energy resources will allow. If it is successful, entropy can be controlled at acceptable levels, thus allowing the society to maintain or even increase its level of living. If it is unsuccessful for any reason (e.g., overpopulation, inadequate energy resources, faulty information processing, antiquated technology, or bureaucratic pathology), then entropy may increase, perhaps to the point where the very future of the entire society is in doubt (as is currently the case in North Korea.)

Industrial ecology deals with the study of systems of industries/communities working together to mimic natural ecosystems, primarily through transforming linear, open loop material and energy processes to closed loop, feedback processes. Industrial ecology is a “systems-oriented concept [which] suggests that industrial design and manufacturing processes are not performed in isolation from their surroundings, but rather are influenced by them, and, in turn, influence them” [1]. Just as waste from one organism in nature is food for other organisms, waste in an industrial ecosystem is treated as a resource [2]. The complex dynamics of closed material, energy, and information loops in industrial ecosystems makes them a prime candidate for computer-based, numerical simulation. We assert that, with the aid of simulation, options for improvement at the system level of industrial ecosystems can be explored quickly and effectively. In supporting this assertion, we first investigate the nature of simulation in a general context.
The word “simulation” has almost as many meanings as the word “system.” Simon refers to simulation with one word, “imitation” [3]; Forrester is more explicit in defining simulation as “the tracing of a specific time history” [4]; Gordon focuses on simulation as “a technique of solving problems by following the changes over time of a dynamic model of a system” [5]; others emphasize that simulation “involves the representation of a system or organization by another system” or that simulation is “a method for analyzing the behavior of a system by computing its time path” [6, 7]. In this paper, we explore these and other perceptions of simulation in constructing our frame of reference for investigating different approaches to numerical simulation.
A common, fundamental thread to all definitions of simulation is that a modeler is trying to understand a system better through simulation. Simulation is performed to learn about systems. Systems, of course, exist in all shapes, sizes, and kinds and different people may want to learn about different aspects of these systems. Consequently, several simulation approaches and tools have been developed for use with different types of systems and different types of studies. Approaches include discrete event modeling, system dynamics, queuing theory, and the Markov chain Monte Carlo method. One objective in this paper is to differentiate between the major numerical simulation techniques and identify situations well-suited to certain approaches.
Anchored in our general exploration of simulation approaches, we examine the relevance of simulation in the development of industrial ecosystems. Modeling approaches identified and investigated earlier in the paper are examined with respect to their application to studying the material, energy, and information flows in industrial ecosystems. We argue that no single approach is “best” for industrial ecology; instead, it depends on the nature of the investigation.
The most direct contribution of this paper is the identification of appropriate modeling approaches for industrial ecosystems. Before spending excessive resources on implementing a particular approach to modeling industrial ecosystems, the area of simulation in general should be explored and analyzed for the most promising approaches. This paper contains such an exploration and analysis. The particularization of simulation to industrial ecosystems presented in this paper is built upon a strong foundation. This foundation is composed of an extensive review of existing approaches and, more fundamentally, an exploration of the meaning of “simulation.”

References:
Graedel, T.E., Allenby, B.R., and Linhart, P.B., 1993, "Implementing Industrial Ecology," IEEE Technology and Society Magazine, pp. 18-26.
Frosch, R.A. and N.E. Gallopoulos, 1989, "Strategies for Manufacturing", Scientific American, September, pp. 144-152.
Simon, H.A., 1982, The Sciences of the Artificial, Second ed. The MIT Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Forrester, J.W., 1961, Industrial Dynamics. Productivity Press, Portland, Oregon.
Gordon, G., 1978, System Simulation, Second ed. Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.
Shubik, M., 1972, "On Gaming and Game Theory," Management Science, No. 18, pp. 37-39.
Newell, A. and H. Simon, 1968, "Simulation: Individual Behavior," International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences (D.L. Sills, ed.), Macmillan and Free Press, New York, pp. 262.

Sustainable development has become a key concept in a multitude of disciplines, originally confined to ecology, environmental studies, and allied disciplines. It is now becoming a part of the glossary of terms in many academic subjects. Definitions vary, but the majority agree that it involves the sustainability of current systems into the future; in some cases this involves the provision of a balance between man and nature, i.e. limiting man’s ability to deplete the world of its natural resources, along with man’s ability to pollute and destroy his own environment for short term gains. Should the original aims of the sustainability concept be confined to the physical environment?
Parra-Luna, in the opening session of fourteenth international WACRA conference on Sustainable Development states, “If sustainable development is taken as a system, the accountability of its elements precede any formal definition of the system.... A debate could be opened on whether these elements are only the traditional economic factors which should be compatible with ecological or environmental ones, or whether some other elements of a more social nature should also be taken into account....” This paper will focus on one social system that has sustained itself for over a century at the expense of the majority of eligible participants, the higher education system in the United Kingdom.
A brief overview of the historical development of the education system will be described. The paper will concentrate on the participation of young people in higher education based on their social class and economic background. Major studies have indicated that although the number of young people entering higher education has increased by a dramatic two hundred and fifty percent over the past twenty years, the ratio of entrants based on social background has not changed. The range of participation in higher education as a percentage of possible eligible young people varies from seventy nine percent in the top classification to six percent in the lowest classification group. Education has consistently been viewed as a means of social equalization. Universal education can arguably help reduce disparities of wealth and power by providing young people with the skills to enable than to find a valued place in society. “..The results are clear education tends to express and reaffirm inequalities far more than it acts to change them.” (Giddens).
Equal opportunities in education has been a central issue of concern to successive governments in the UK for many years. The recent change in government and its “new policies” will be discussed. Unfortunately, the future appears to be more of the same: much talk and little action.
The fact remains that young people from the lower social economic classes are proportionally under-represented in higher education. This is particularly evident in the case of young males. Although beyond the scope of this paper, the author believes the research findings cited are not unique to the UK, but are universal.

Keywords: Sustainability, Education, Social Class, Equality

In this paper, we present our research in representing complex knowledge in order to automate complex problem-solving on a distributed, multi-processor computer system. We have previously developed a conceptual framework for modeling complex problem-solving based on a systems model and are now researching the implementation of this model as an automated problem-solving tool on powerful state-of-the-art distributed computing systems. Making such modeled knowledge operational on such computer systems will allow researchers to experiment with complex problem-solving, and will provide them with the ability to formulate alternate solutions to complex problems such as those addressed by this conference.
Distributed computing platforms are a new development in the field of computer science. At this juncture, computer scientists are researching ways in which problems can be partitioned to take advantage of these powerful environments. We are convinced that our systemic problem-solving approach will provide a effective way of modeling distributed knowledge, and will be a valuable contribution to the fields of systems science and computer science.
In the model that we have developed, we use different types of systemic knowledge structures at different meta-levels. In addition, we have identified and modeled classes of methodologies which are appropriate for reasoning about each type of knowledge structure and for reasoning about relationships between types of knowledge structures. For instance, one type of systemic knowledge structure is the source knowledge structure, which models collections of attributes and their possible values. An associated class of methodology that we have been using is the source generation methodology, a methodology which generates a new source knowledge structure from a previously-defined source knowledge structure. Another type of systemic knowledge structure is the data knowledge structure, which models collections of observations, which are valuations of attributes. A methodological class which relates source knowledge structures to data knowledge structures is the data generation methodology; this is used for defining data knowledge structures based on source knowledge structures.
In the world of distributed computing, tools are now available for using objects, classes of objects, message-passing, methods appropriate to object classes, etc. in distributed computing environments. Current computer science research is involved in determining appropriate partitioning of problems to use these tools. We believe our systemic problem-solving approach provides such a way of looking at problems to determine appropriate partitionings to make use of distributed environments.
In this paper, we present a case study showing how the knowledge of a group of automotive experts can be partitioned for implementation in a distributed computing environment. In previous work, systemic problem-solving models have been used to formalize the knowledge involved in this case study. Now is the time to represent and implement this problem-solving in distributed computing environment.

In the course of recent research into what systemic thinkers have to say about the nature of social reality, I found converging agreement and a remarkable clarity of vision, which I choose to call the emerging systems paradigm of the social world. This paradigm unites insights about dissipation and autopoiesis:
. Social realities are dissipative structures.
. They are totally temporized.
. They are ongoing patterns that are maintained by their manner of continual reproduction.
. In far-from-equilibrium conditions, these realities are open to bifurcations.
. In far-from-equilibrium conditions, small influences can generate profound evolutionary effects.
. An optimal strategy to create profound change is to concentrate energy at likely bifurcation points.
2. Social structures are autopoietic.
. As ongoing patterns of meaning that are constantly being reproduced, social systems structure their reality on the basis of expectations in order to cope with the complexities of their existence.
. The formula for sustainable and creative existence is to multiply contradictory expectations and to hold them as alternatives for future uncertainties.
The above-mentioned features of the systemic paradigm are incarnated in today’s dominant technologies: the Internet in particular and the interconnectedness of our evolving world in general. These technologies provide the terrain upon which we travel. Our optimal strategy for our journey into a humane and sustainable future is to make conscious use of this confluence of paradigm and technology.

Key words: social systems, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, self-organizing systems, autopoiesis, philosophy

We are looking for answers to the questions: what is information, what is an information system? Scholars and scientists tray to find an answer to such questions and formulate various theories of information and theories of information systems. Cognitive currents of communication theory intiated by Wiener, Shannon and by language semiotics are not significantly cultivated neither in science and practice nor in education. The present research results as well as the focus of scholars` and scientists` interests in information problems, very superficially and fragmentally, do not assure chances of a rapid answer to the above questions.The oncoming 21th century of information presents a challenge to create wisdom and knowledge about nature, and to new ways of reasoning by categories of evolutional laws governing the symbiosis of the human being and entities with nature. Reasoning methods are necessary /eg. systems inquiry/ serving a dynamical transformation of knowledge dimensioned by time and value of flow of information about facts perceived by the human being/entities. In the paper a hierarchy and value categorization of levels of info-intellect-energo-transformation of entities are introduced that assure a coexistential dynamical equilibrium between evolutional processes of the nature and processes occuring in social activity systems. Information is living and organic kernal of the intellect-energo-dynamical equilibrium connected /communicated with transformation/ evolution processes of the nature. It plays a particular role in the intellectual transformations of knowledge and in the behavior of human being, and influences his/her consciousness and wisdom levels. The value and importance of information are more dependent of time dimension than the value and importance of knowledge. Information is a crucial factor of processes of evolution and behavior of the nature aiming at achieving a energo-dynamical equilibrium of the reality.

Keywords: Systems Sciences, Information Systems, Systems Evolution, Socio-technological Systems, Systems Transformation of the Nature

Automation has produced a progressive stripping out of human skills, knowledge and expertise from one area of work after another. Originally physical, later clerical, and more recently professional work forms have been reduced to codes and rules which can run quasi-autonomously in a machine system. This historical process, still under way, has led to a substantial displacement and loss of human skill and expertise across a wide range of organizational contexts. Zuboff has described these developments, the momentum driving them, and their consequences. She believes that, for organizations to retain sufficient flexibility and capacity for innovation in open, global markets, they must put this process into reverse, unlock their databases and expert systems, re-animate the codified knowledge in them, and re-instill it into the workforce. She suggests that managers will see it to be in their interest to support this projection of knowledge back into the organization, which she calls 'informating'. However, it is by no means clear either that managers will see informating to be in their (or the organization's) interest, or that, even if they do, they will be able to reverse the automation process. It would require managers to cede some of the power that automation has brought them. It is possible that the perennial contention between managers and experts will prevent managers from countenancing the local re-emergence of expertise. It is further possible that experts will not recognize - or will deny - that their expertise is being eroded even as it happens. Importation of packaged knowledge and reliance on external expertise may be irresistibly attractive to management but produce a draining away of accumulated local knowledge. I use an example of the introduction of an automated fingerprint recognition system in a UK police force to show the difficulty of preserving expertise in the midst of technological change.

The paper gives an account of one aspect of an investigation we are currently undertaking into how community groups might be able to use multimedia PC systems as a vehicle for self-discovery and mobilization. It looks possible to use these systems to create powerfully expressive records of community life. The power and complexity of the equipment, however, present an obstacle. More functions and features are provided, even in an inexpensive system, than can readily be exploited by novice users. There is a danger that, instead of the equipment being fashioned to work for the community's interest, the interest will be moulded to fit the equipment. We note in particular that software designed for professional multimedia applications are difficult for the amateur to master, and bring with them sets of perspectives, features, and metaphors which require considerable energy to assimilate before they can be put to constructive use. If this process of assimilation is not itself to divert the expressive purpose of the users, they must put some work into turning the software to their own advantage. Group members bent on telling their story, recounting their history, or formulating a project, bring to the task their own understandings and metaphors of what community life is. In learning to use the equipment, fresh understandings and metaphors are discovered, embedded in the software packages. To gain benefit from their encounter with the equipment, to make it work for them within their actions and purposes, group members have to learn how to translate and adapt the understandings they already have to the understandings that are presented as they engage with the technology. Out of collisions between metaphors and perspectives, new understandings are forged, and new possibilities opened. Our paper traces this general process with specific reference to one example.

This paper reports some research into the design and implementation processes associated with the introduction of the UK National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) into the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. The complexity of the system specification and the organisational setting gave rise to a range of expectations of the system and conflicting agendas for its use. These issues are explored through a comprehensive discussion of the research process.
The research process itself is identified as a vehicle for the exploration of participative techniques which can be used to ameliorate the dissonance which arises from these conflicting expectations. The capacity of researchers to facilitate what Elden and Levin (1991) call “cogenerative dialogue” is explored in the context of the case study.
The paper sets out to demonstrate the complementarity of existing methods, tools and techniques, thereby promoting their synthesis. We argue that bridge building is more important in the information systems context than grand theorising.
The local outcomes and national implications of the research to date are reported and discussed in the paper.

Keywords: cogenerative dialogue, value systems, longitudinal study, organisational learning,

Kant requested orientation not only to take place in the physical world, but also in our thinking. As such orientation must be sharable, which means same positions, origins and horizons we can select from various representation schemas. As all have their benefits, circle, plane, vortex,... only one stands out in his quality to simple and accustomed to all humans: physical, 3-dimensional space. That space is the most common conceptual ground can be found obviously in every language, as spacial metaphors are the basis for social, ecological and foremost abstract concepts. If be endeavor to embody and inhabit conceptual abstract spaces, we can discuss and relate the different foci, levels, aspects and perspectives and even map subjective and objective horizons.
The paper builds a scaffolding of eyes (ranging from the worm’s eye and bird’s eye to the public eye and generations eye and shows how are consciousness and awareness is related to the way we learn about and explore the physical world and later conceptual world through our extensions, self-models and mental models.
It not only combines the physical, contextual and semantic realms into a common panoramic way (which means not in-depth intelligence)and explores the scopic regimes while bridging media and reference schemes. The paper emphasis the need for simple coherent and switchable world views or general systems models, and shows that a panoramic overview is not a hoistic representation (representing everything) but and orientation schema helping to show relations and concepts in their contexts and help to map holarchies created with different aspects in mind
Maybe the following links can show some figures which are indispensable and can help to evaluate the abstract ( beside the ISSS Primer - Wholeness Seminar contributions ):

References
http://www.ceptualinstitute.com/genre/benking/landscape.htm
http://newciv.org/cob/members/benking/avi.html at:
http://www.ing.univaq.it/avi98/avi98confAnn.html

A daring hypothetical system is developed for the purpose of universalizing all modes of communication into a single nonverbal language originating from the core of the DNA. This hypothetical language is transmitted by way of a common universal medium, the holofield, at an estimated velocity a billion times that of light. These communication signals are comprised of pure information having neither mass nor energy, so their velocity is not subject to relativistic constraint. The mathematics of this system is based upon the imaginary number, characterizing emergent living systems in which the whole exceeds the sum of its parts. This language is composed of quanta of action defined as thought vectors generated by holistic brain functions. these action quanta, expressible in dimensionless numbers, are designed to bridge the gap between biological and physical phenomena, in keeping with Anatol Rapoport's suggestion that universal language should be mathematical. Existing evidence to substantiate this system of thought is briefly reviewed, but final substantiation awaits the development of holofield communication instruments.

Keywords: language, communication, holofield, thought vector, action, resonance, brain

“Universal Language” leads logically into “Evolution”, for it is the connectedness of all forms of life that makes universal communication possible. Darwin’s nineteenth century contributions to evolutionary sciences need to be superseded by applying the more advanced tools now available. His simplistic linear approach conflicts with the “nothing but fallacy” advanced by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. We need to replace this tunnel vision of evolution with the broader perspectives of the twenty-first century promised by the potentialities of the holofield. The combination separation principle is offered as a useful tool for updating evolutionary concepts to account for their complexity and non-linearity. An alternative hypothesis is advanced, suggesting that the evolution of species might be accelerated by the transfer of information in chunks via the holofield rather than by gradual randon statistical experimentation. The mathematical underpinning of this hypothesis is based upon imaginary numbers to accelerate the transfer of information. Funding is needed to implement techniques for generating the hard data necessary to substantiate these hypothetical concepts.

Keywords: Darwin, evolution, holofield, information, resonance.

This work builds on to the Multi-modal development of Soft Systems Methodology (SSM). It analyses the management function in Beer's Viable Systems Model (VSM). This is done by comparing Beer's theories concerning management with traditional management functions found in the literature, such as planning, organising, leading and controlling. The conclusion is that Beer's model have a potential in providing managerial structure but lacks in guidance and visions.

In the context of the needed dialectic between the social and the spiritual, for reconstruction and development in post-apartheid South Africa, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has been both a historical and moral necessity. With all its limitations as a discourse of atonement and reconciliation, the TRC may have improved the odds for reconstructing a reconciled rainbow nation with a just state and a vibrant civil society. Monumental challenges still lie ahead. The multiple Spiritual systems in which the conscience of peoples is rooted have themselves to be made coherent in the superstructure of a shared moral order that illuminates and sustains the daily lives of all South Africans. The new moral values, even as they are merging and emerging have to be infused into the structures of the state and the institutions and patterns of the civil society. South Africa's "constitution of limits" has to be made elastic both by legislation and the pricked conscience of the powerful and the privileged classes. The circle will need to be completed by creating a system that can deliver to the white and the non-white in South Africa an education of the spirit through a pedagogy of conscience.

Key words: Spiritual Systems. Social-Spiritual Dialectic. Truth and Reconciliation. Civil Society. Education of the Spirit. Pedagogy of Conscience. Cultures of Peace.

Complex is a special attribute we can give to many kinds of systems. In a broad sense, it can be taken as synonym of unpredictable. Human systems are affected by several sources of complexity, belonging to three classes: logical, gnosiological and computational, in order of descending restrictivity. Systems belonging to first class are not predictable at all, those belonging to the second class are predictable only through an infinite computational capacity, and those belonging to the third class are predictable only through a trans-computational capacity. Using (also) a dialectical criterion of demarcation, we can distinguish a precise and useful meaning of the word "complexity", different from that of "difficulty". In first class (logical complexity) are two sources of complexity: the pure logical complexity, directly deriving from self-reference and Gödel incompleteness theorems, and the relational complexity, resulting in a sort of indeterminacy principle occurring in social systems. In the second class (gnosiological complexity) are four sources of complexity: pure gnosiological complexity, which consists in the variety of possible perceptions; the evolutionary complexity, which derives from the genuine notion of evolution; the semiotic complexity, which represents the infinite possible interpretations of signs and facts; and finally the semantic complexity, which consists in the infinite possible interpretations of words and texts. To the third class, computational complexity, belong three sources: pure computational complexity, which basically coincides with the mathematical concept of intractability; chaotic complexity, which characterizes phenomena of some dynamic systems; self-organizational complexity, which addresses the unexpected appearance of order from disorder. Artificial, natural, biological and human systems are characterized by the influence of different sources of complexity, and the latter appear as the most complex.

Keywords: Artificial, Complexity, Computation, Deterministic Chaos, Evolution, Gnosiology, Human Systems, Intractability, Mathematical Logic, Self-Organization, Self-Reference, Semantics, Semiotics

In 1996, the second German Delphi study was started. The German Delphi ´98 is a two-round Delphi expert survey which is conducted by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Education, Research, Science and Technology (BMBF). The study is published in February 1998 and is now getting into its implementation phase.
Its inherent focus was on the development of science and technology in twelve thematic fields in the next 30 years. In order to arrive at a better understanding of the influence of personal attitudes towards general developments in our natural environment and our society, the respondents were asked in the first round of the Delphi exercise for their personal opinion towards several megatrends concerning our natural environment, economic, sociological and political developments. Over 2.000 answers lead to a very solid data base, which give insights into the general thinking of the German R&D experts. On some topics, there is a high consensus, whereas in others two opposite groups appear. These results also serve as the data base for a factor analysis leading to the identification of five different expert types. In the second step, different patterns in answering the development in science and technology were looked for. In general, it turned out that differences in personal attitudes towards megatrends do not influence the estimation of developments in science and technology. However, differences exist in specific topics and the distribution of five experts types among the respondents differs significantly in the twelve fields.

Elsewhere, we review the evidence for evolutionary processes in those sociocultural systems in which industrial design is embedded(technological, economic, organizational)(Broadbent, 1998). This growing evolutionary awareness is consonant with the General Evolution Theory of Laszlo(1996). We also present evidence which suggests that global societies are at a point where management of these systems, together with the biological systems within which they reside, should recognise and benefit from their evolutionary nature. From this, we further posit that human design activities in general should become ‘evolutionary guidance systems’(Banathy, 1996), if global societies are to successfully navigate the high turbulence many predict for the early decades of the next millenium.
This paper takes this analysis a step further, by examining how this broader view of design might be effectively brought into an undergraduate industrial design program. In doing so, it is important to recognise that industrial design is itself a system yielding a product(and/or service) which is, and increasingly so, a system and which, in turn, interacts with broader sociocultural and biological systems.
The approach taken has been to determine the seemingly central features of General Evolution Theory and apply them to this inclusive view of industrial design. This analysis is set within the dominant influence of our time - the convergence of information/communication technologies with all other fields of human activity, here industrial design. The phenomena examined are: informatization, complexification, convergence(including globalization), divergence, collaboration, efficiency(optimization), turbulence, creativity and ethical responsibility. Each phenomenon has been assessed in terms of how it already finds expression in contemporary industrial design practice, and in respect of its potential for further influence as the Information Age proceeds. These findings are reflected through the program projects and their supporting informational inputs. Traditional design concerns are also incorporated at this stage. A final project seeks to bring all the defined phenomena to bear on the industrial design process at the one time.

References
Banathy, B.H.(1996) Designing social systems in a changing world. New York: Plenum.
Broadbent, J.A.(1998) Design and evolution. In preparation.
Laszlo, E.(1996) Evolution: the general theory. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton.

Seven electricity production systems are evaluated using emergy evaluation techniques to rank their relative thermodynamic efficiencies using an Emergy Yield Ratio and their environmental efficiencies using an Environmental Loading Ratio. The generation of CO2 was also accounted for in order to compare renewable and nonrenewable energy sources. The production systems include both plants using non-renewable energy sources (natural gas, oil, and coal thermal plants) and the so called renewable energy sources (geothermal, hydroelectric, wind, and photovoltaic plants). A method for evaluating environmental contribution to electric production is shown to provide important information that can be used to support environmentally sound public policy.
Emergy yield ratios of plants varied from a high of 8.2/1 for wind generation to about 5/1 for thermal plants to a low of 1.0/1 for the photovoltaic plant. The renewable energy plants required the highest environmental inputs per unit of output while fossil fuel plants required relatively small environmental inputs for cooling. Environmental loading was highest with thermal plants, although the photovoltaic plant was very high as a result of the electricity required for production of solar cells. Using an Emergy Sustainability Index, it was found that renewable energy source plants like hydroelectric, geothermal, and wind had higher sustainability compared to thermal plants.
Different strategies to deal with byproducts of production processes are also evaluated. Environmental services required to deal with byproducts of electricity production are defined and calculated. Then, the same approach is suggested for other production processes. Accounting for environmental services provides a way to evaluate the carrying capacity of the environment in relation to human dominated processes. The need of environmental services at different space-time scales translates into the need of a suitable support area for the process under study. When the evaluation is done in the larger scale of the economy, the approach provides an estimate of the amount of economic activity that can be supported by available area and environment.

Appeal to Reason and Common Experience, The Climate Is Changing Rapidly
Millions of people have suffered conditions this century beyond anything known in the past: from floods, monsoon changes, drought, heat, winds (example -- Guam had equal to or more than 236 miles per hour), tornadoes, hurricanes, freezing storms, record cold temperatures each year for 15 to 20 years, record snow storms, forest fires (China/Russia fire a few years ago, the greatest in known history) , landslides, avalanches, and increased volcanic action. Consider the weight of the increased ice masses in Greenland and the Antarctic, a destabilizing pressure on the earth leading to more volcanic action..
In the temperate zones we are caught in the middle of the hot and cold air masses impacting each other, with resultant changes in the ocean currents. Here is climate change! Let us put the overall system together, and act accordingly.
It is imperative that each country have forest and energy physical targets in order to make our best effort to stabilize climate before it is too late.
Expanded and improved forests are necessary to remove carbon dioxide (CO/2) from the world's atmosphere. Changes in energy technology are necessary to stop putting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The goal, for our lives, is to bring the world's CO/2 count back from around 370 parts per million (ppm) in the world's air mass now to around 290 ppm where it was near the beginning of the century.

Energy, or better ?nergy available in a given environment? i.e. ?nergy? is to societies what food is to individuals. It is that which causes and sustains motion or other action. Historically, the search for perpetual motion machines was as intense as the alchemists dream of making gold, or of finding the stone of wisdom. Today, we realize that ?making energy? is a pipe dream, but, that we can convert existing exergy in nature into forms that are useful for driving our technological civilization. Unfortunately, however, we also realize that the energy conversion processes used by today?s technology create undesirable waste, pollute our environment, exhausts fuel resources, and are not sustainable.
The fossil fuel based energy systems release vast amounts of pollutants that cause acid rain and global warming. The nuclear fueled terrestrial energy systems discharge radioactive wastes that are difficult to dispose of. Nuclear power installations are undesirable for other reasons. The high density of nuclear energy makes it dangerous. Nuclear power installations are vulnerable spots in a country. On top of that, peaceful nuclear power technology facilitates the production of nuclear weapons, and that is tempting additional power for politicians. Given the large and growing human world population, the fossil fuel and the nuclear fuel based energy systems are unsustainable and create a severe disturbancein the ecological, political, and social equilibrium on our planet.
It is maintained that renewable energy systems are desirable for many reasons. A global renewable energy system is demonstrated to be scientifically, technically and economically feasible. It is shown that the solar exergy income of the planet is sufficient to supply any reasonable level of world population for ever. Renewable energy systems are considered to be environmentally friendly, and less disturbing than the traditional energy systems of the planetary and local ecological equilibrium since their material waste can be recycled, and their thermal waste energy is part of the natural climate forming heat. The decentralized nature of the renewable energy and the absence of renewable energy related weapons technology is seen as favourable factor contributing to the political and social stability. In considering the full dimension of the complex energy issue, it is concluded that the new energy technology is locally and globally desirable, and that the time for large scale use of direct solar energy and other renewables has arrived.

Key Words: Energy, exergy, fossil energy, nuclear energy, renewable energy, feasibility, sustainablility, ecological and social equilibrium

The purpose of this research is to find out conditions that can consolidate democratic system during the bifurcating process of a political system. The political system as an open and living one, could be reached maximum entropy level according to the system's malfunctioning. Entropy within the political system, however, could also be decreased through the intake of negentropy from its environments. It means that the political system as a complex living one can encounter the critical point of choice. Just at this point, political system has a chance for favorable change of the system's state as well as a risk of the system breakdown.
In the course of the time, the system increasingly approaches near maximum entropy level. Then, the system could have a window of opportunity as well as a probable devolution. At the point of complex system theory, more democratic political system can decrease the level of entropy comparing to the authoritarian system. In such a transformation, it is necessary for the political system to attain room for negentropy production. It could be represented as temporarily functioning of dissipative structures, decreasing the entropy level and transforming themselves into more adaptive ones during this process. In the transition, it is significant to ensure the elite transformation, including elite settlement and elite convergence, and to establish the rules of competition for lowing the political entropy level. I think it could be possible only when the people who concerned know the newly emerging knowledge of bifurcation and perceive the situation in terms of holistic view.

Keywords: democratic system, bifurcation, entropy(negentropy), elite settlement, elite convergence

Human history counts just some millions of years, a tiny fraction of that of hte universe and alos in relatin to our earth’s history. Our species appeared when the natural development had everything prepared for us. In the development process of mankind, structure of the society was rather a multitude of structures of local or regional societies, with some exceptions. But also large empires did not last for very long, due to the relatively long lasting times for information, reaction, transport, and power display. This changed when mankind started to increase, finally to multiply the individuals and the society energy: The fairy tale from the giants became true. The fairy tales report about good and bad giants. What makes the difference? It is the insight, the internal reflective control system, modesty, which finally decides whether the huge energy is used or not and for what purpose.
Energy, by physical definitin, is the potential to perform work, to achieve something. The seemingly “unlimited” availability pf energy started a process of inhumane acceleration, so the stream of human development converts its mainly laminar flow into turbulances - global turbulances.
The equilibrium of horror, the ultimate use of giant energies, has up to now prevented big obvious changes in out societied imposed externally. But “Essential things are invisible”, the dams are leaking, energy achieves something also from the inside.

Keywords: Energy, Development, Society

It cannot be denied that the perspective engendered by the civilization’s trends has been arising from the outcome of human actions which have been determined in a large measure by intelligent reasoning that has aimed at improving particular aspects of the civilized way of life. At the same time these actions have been producing an increasing number of undesirable situations which generate the unsustainability of our civilized intentions. We might deal properly with such paradoxical situation if we organize, on our own, our individual and joint performances:
realizing explicitly that our civilized way of life cannot longer process, because its perspective has become unsustainable;
learning to grasp well the kind of side effects that arise from technological achievements and how these effects emerged and grow;
searching to reduce the possibility of a catastrophic crisis to happen, caused by an increasing number of unsustainable situations;
learning to develop on our own ecological, ethological and ethical criteria in order to improve the Gaia’s health, to push ahead the evolvement of biological & cultural diversity, which presumably will increase the survival chances of our species;
learning to sustain nature and create the circumstances needed for building a green, blue, & humane economy, bearing in mind we have inherited an enormous load of deeply rooted utilitarian tradition;
finding out feasible options through suitable methodologies , such as a renewed Systems and Cybernetic Thinking for dealing explicitly with ethical, ecological and ethological values as framework for allowing the emergence and evolvement of autonomous communities, which using explicitly cybernetic interactions (feedbacks) may help everyone :finding a way forward (searching on its own to be) both capable of learning from the effects of its own actions and then acting on the insights so gained: [John Raven, 1995]
However to cope with tasks of this kind it is indispensable first of all to grasp well why and how the Human, Biological, Ecological, Technological and Educational worlds (structural circumstances which rather paradoxically have made possible the emergence & evolvement of our magnificent civilization) tend to be increasingly unsustainable.
The Human World: Source of psychological, social and cultural troubles caused by unethical and unecological performances of the “modern human animal” increasingly alienated, after being “confined in the unnatural conditions of captivity” ...trapped...by his own brainy brilliance...in a huge restless menagerie...the city...a human zoo” [Desmond Morris], trying to survive but passively after being increasingly fascinated by unbelievable technologies and financial and economic business.
The Biological World: Nature increasingly disrupted by investments implemented by decision makers who consider themselves the owners of everything ‘discovered’ by them on the planet aiming consequently to take advantage unilaterally of anything located in their surroundings for making possible human ambitions to evolve supported by utilitarian feelings derived from the assumption that nature will sustain man always, without recognizing that due to such intentions the number of threatened and endangered (T&E) species is growing very fast caused by an indiscriminate destruction of their critical habitat.
The Ecological World: Gaia seriously trouble by the impact of inconvenient human activities conceived and implemented for allowing some human beings to accomplish immediate selfish goals, which are putting at risk the essential features of its peculiar atmosphere. Agriculture, devastation of forests, overgrazing, construction of roads, industrial and urban waste, roads traffic,... causing soil, water and air degradation, and deterioration of the earthly atmosphere cannot longer be simply sustained for accomplishing efficiently competitive economic and financial aims. Neither can be sustained huge touristic, agricultural and farming projects conceived by means of very ‘modern’ standards which do not recognize the existence of indigenous and poor people, and many other living species.
The Technological World: Many troubling sources of our civilization due to the increasing fascination generated by the spledour of unbelievable technological achievement, which seems to bewitch people who consider themselves as something lacking power, strength, ability, etc. Such fascination and economic and financial interests are causing: 1) degradation of cultural values because people believe in the ‘immense power’ that such facilities can possess, acquire and even develop on their own; 2) Retrogression of human relations among individuals, ethnical and social groups, and nations,... due to an homogenization conceived, designed & implemented by means of facilities introduced indiscriminately in public & private organizations under the assumption that everything in society will be more effective, reliable & efficient, and of course less expensive, when everybody involved behaves and performs exactly to universal norms; 30 Deterioration of natural environments due to the extended and indiscriminated utilization of devices and processes that will assure more efficient and even exhaustive exploration of natural resources, because most people believe strongly in the ancient conjecture that Nature can always ‘take care automatically’ of its own recuperation, after being altered by technological actions of any kind and dimension.
The Educational World: Processes conceived according to rather inconsistent assumptions:
1)most human beings are no more that (human) resources, necessary as objects for the accomplishment of (economic, organizational, destructive, competitive,...) intentions of few leaders, rulers, decision makers,...;
2)the human concerns must be tackled as endeavors leading towards ideal perspectives determined by means of simple extrapolations derived from or reinforcing traditional (primitive) beliefs;
3)ideals will be necessarily well and totally accomplished if everything is taken into account, by means of systems thinking, holistic approaches, total quality and productivity intentions or any other methodology for the wholeness;
4)unexpected and uncertain side effects that arrive necessarily from all human actions can be neglected and even ignored till they are properly identified because it is supposed that there problematic consequences can or should be tackled afterwards;
5)every problem that may arise will be solved ‘automatically’ by more technologies ‘scientifically’ developed;
6)the future of human kind ought to be a continuation of the history of humankind which, willingly or not, is in a large measure the outcome of ‘actions’ conceived for making possible the development of selfish competences among powerful specimens followed by masses claiming to have the right to be considered, at least, human beings.

After the oil embargo in 1973, the world realized how important a steady energy supply is. Energy studies were conducted, but after the initial shock of the oil embargo the interest in energy analyses gradually declined. Today, it is only a minor part of the conventional Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. We believe it is time to revive the energy studies, and in this paper we launch the idea of Energy Accounting equally to monetary accounting with basically the same General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). We are convinced that Energy Accounting can force the marketplace - organizations and end-users - towards higher energy efficiency and thereby towards less relative pollution. There are two major reasons for that: The importance of energy in socio-economic and consequently sustainable development and the strong correlation between energy consumption and pollution. Energy Accounting will most likely also give an economic return, however, this is not the focus of this paper. Then, environmental efforts can concentrate on issues which are not related to energy consumption, such as toxicity, and leave the general pollution prevention to be handled in the marketplace by Energy Accounting and an energy taxation system. If Energy Accounting was established, at least in the industrialized world, the energy assessments would be developed by the market itself and the incentive to use them would be along the lines of having cost management systems today. In our opinion, this is in sharp contrast to the ad hoc LCA methodology developed by e.g. ISO. In this paper, we therefore present a conceptual design Energy Accounting and energy taxation that, in our opinion, would be an important step towards sustainability.

Keywords: Energy Accounting, GAAP, energy taxation and sustainability.

This paper identifies a major flaw in the FASB's definition of a liability in SFAC 6. The definition of the elements (assets, liabilities, equities, etc.) is an important part of the Conceptual Framework. These definitions are used by the FASB to structure debate on accounting issues and represent the “building blocks" with which financial statements are assembled.
The flaw relates to the definition's narrow requirement that liabilities be settled with assets or services. Our concern is that the current financial reporting market is one of rapid developments in the design and implementation of hybrid financial securities and complex financial instruments. These create situations in which a firm is legally obligated to settle debts without using their assets. For example, a firm may acquire services and be obligated to settle the obligation with their stock or other securities. In this situation, although the firm is obligated, no liability would be shown according to the FASB's definition. The paper analyzes such situations and proposes a solution that involves expanding the definition to include “other resources." This remedy would make the definition in step with current and future developments in financial markets and enhance the usefulness of the Conceptual Framework.
For example, how do you account for the following situation? Suppose an venture-investor was approached at the beginning of a year by a recently organized firm (MLC Corporation) that was in the process of developing a new software product. The investor recognized the risky nature of the business and was willing to invest $1,000 as a one-year loan, with annual interest at 12%. The loan was made and the firm signed a note payable. However, the note states that the loan will be settled by the issuance of 1,120 shares of the firm's own authorized but unissued $1 par value common stock (the market value of the stock at the beginning of the year was $1).
Graphically,

The implications of the stratification of interactions in energy levels discovered in the last few decades, have not been fully grasped outside of the physics community, despite the fact that they have to do with the fundamental theory of matter. Yet, the existence of energy gap of varying widths between strata is of supreme significance because of the hierarchical complexity of natural systems.
The existence of natural hierarchies bespeaks of processes of energy transformation that are unlike the interactions between systems confined within the same stratum, which leave observable traces. Two of these energy gaps, which play a particularly significant role in the emergence of complex systems, are referred in the technical literature as Cuts. The Cartesian Cut, which separates mind from its quantal substrate, is constitutive of observations. The Heisenberg Cut separates a natural system's objectual characteristics from its internal dynamical r_gime. These characteristics, which are endogeneous to the system, define the kinds of interactions it can enter into in its surround, while its internal r_gime is what enables it to be thus interactive.
A number of interesting problems have their roots in the manner these two types of processes of energy transformations are synchronised in hierarchisation. The chief one is that of representing, in a scientifically respectable way, the processes which bridge the gaps between strata and are primarily responsible for the emergence of natural systems, hence for their hierarchisation. A representation is scientifically respectable in this sense if it is
mathematically perspicuous, i.e. it serves the function of the fundamental theory which underlies such processes, as well as satisfies stringent criteria in the observation of their effects, given that these processes leave no observable interticial traces.
Another problem of great interest in the context of the hierarchisation of matter is the emergence of mind in natural systems. This problem is unusually recalcitrant, for the reason that neither the Cartesian Cut nor the Heisenberg Cut are operative here, all interactions being internal to the sytem {observer, observed}, which is non-existent in this case. The same can be said, mutatis mutandis, of all systems in which the observer is an internal actor, e.g. social systems. This should not be construed as denying the objectivity of the sciences of matter (physics, chemistry, biology), in which both Cuts are operative.
Based on these considerations, a case will be made for the view that biological and social systems differ in radical ways that rule out the possibility of using similar strategies to model them. They belong not just to different strata, but to different eras of cosmic evolution. And while scientific discourse is clearly used in biology (leaving aside much of what is called "theoretical biology"), it is inapplicable to the case of social systems.

Exponential growth in world population, energy generation, production, pollution, and world-threatening destructive power has focused attention on the earth system and ways to insure its survival in the long-term. Many fear that this growth will result in future crises such as the disintegration of the ozone layer, global warming, mass starvation, resource exhaustion, massive species extinctions, environmental destruction, and global terrorism and war. The quest is for a formula for “sustainability.” Most believe that the solution lies in the continued growth of technology, the regulatory policies of governments, and/or automatic corrections inherent in the world economic system. Reasons are presented why technology, economic adjustments and regulatory policies will not solve the problems; and why evolutionary human instinctual imperatives energize the complex, interdependent, feedback control structures in today’s technological world society which produce the observed unsustainable growth. World human consumption growth, the force that drives environmental deterioration, is caused by population growth, technology growth, economic growth, government policies and human expectations and instincts. To save the Earth, human consumption growth must stop. Therefore, attaining sustainability is a human behavioral problem.

Keywords: system dynamics, exponential growth, technology, world modeling , environment

Sustainable development depends basically on a stable carrying capacity of the supporting ecosystem. This in turn depends to a large extent on the nature of the technical level of the concerned human group. A short African example will be given.
Historically, this level has been evolving in a progressively accelerating way, allowing for an ever more massive use of natural resources, renewable or not. Moreover a general trend toward wider geographically embracing human ecosystems in concordance with technical progress is obvious. The global planetary system is now in the making.
Accordingly, we need ways and means to evaluate as best as possible the global and local limits to quantitative development and altogether the possibilities for a more conservative type of development. This includes necessarily an inquiry about the urgent need for a transition from generally plundering techniques of exploitation of shrinking resources (including sinks!) to more stabilizing and renovative techniques. Systemic models related to various modes of growth, dissipative structuration and emergence of higher levels of complexity, the onset of dynamic stability in correlation with Eigen-behavior (or autopoiesis), followed by possible uncompensated positive feedback, runaway processes, critical states, instability thresholds, crashes and collapses or, on the contrary tolerable cyclomorphic oscillations and self reproduction in metastable systems could certainly be adapted to such inquiry.
Examples, suggestions, and conjectures will be proposed.
Toward a PROMISE OF TOMORROW Using Interconnecting Theory to Re-connect
Charles Francois
Editor, International Enclyclopedia of Cybernetics and Systemics

It is generally agreed that the systems movement has not penetrated other fields as much as we had dreamed. Charles Francois, Editor of the International Enclyclopedia of Cybernetics and Systemics, presents a Target Paper B for the Primer Group reflecting on our shortcomings. The specialist syndrome, incomplete knowledge of systemic implications, and selective usage of systemic principles all contribute to a general apathy toward interdisciplinary and wholismic principles. But, as Charles points out, "We eventually need all of them."

But Charles also brings us a Promise of Tomorrow, proposing, an cooperative inquiry into interconnectedness at all levels. An outline of the new Connecting Theory as well as the more general Relationship Theory, will be presented as Target Paper C during an ISSS electronic seminar following the Atlanta Meeting.

Keywords: Connection, Systemic, Relationship, Connecting Theory, Relationship Theory

James Grier Miller begins his preface to Living Systems by quoting from Alfred N. Whitehead's Science and the Modern World, and concludes his book with a quotation from Whitehead's Process and Reality. Each actual entity is itself only describable as an organic process. It repeats in microcosm what the universe is in macrocosm. It is a process proceeding from phase to phase, each phase being the real basis from which its successor proceeds.
This philosophical background to Living Systems is studied, as well as concepts, such as systems, organism, subjectivism, objectivism, process etc.
Reference literature which mentioned in the preface is studied, together with literature subsequently published by Whitehead, and also a selection of the extensive literature which in later years has dealt with Whitehead's philosophy.
The intention is to give grounds for a discussion with those who base their systems thinking on other points of view/points of departure. The discussion of general considerations and approaches facilitates the understanding of what is common, and what differs in different kinds of systems thinking.

Business-Driven Sustainable Development by "Back-casting" from First Order Sustainability Principles
Gil Friend
Gil Friend and Associates, 48 Shattuck Square #103
Berkeley CA 94704
John Holmberg
Department of Physical Resource Theory, Chalmers University of Technology and Goteborg University, S-41296, Goteborg, Sweden
Karl-Henrik Robèrt
The Natural Step, Wallinsgatan 22
111 24 Stockholm, Sweden,

"Sustainability" -- while a compelling vision -- is all too often a vague one. The Brundtland definition, for example, provides a philosophical context but does not provide a concrete guide for investment decisions.
In this paper we present a management framework is needed that:
• provides broad understanding of principles of sustainability that "make sense" and provide useful guidance regardless of one's economic or political position or perspective;
• transcends ultimately irreconcilable controversies over both ideology and "acceptable thresholds" of damage;
• offers pragmatic guidance for both fundamental business strategy and specific investment decisions;
• enables rigorous evaluation of "sustainability vectors";
• contributes to both short term and long term financial performance, competitive advantage, and other business goals
These "first order" principles for sustainability make it possible to ask if each measure (investment) brings us closer to sustainability and if each measure taken is a flexible platform for the next step towards fulfillment of the first order principles?
We also present a method for strategic planning towards sustainability that is based on back-casting: future desired conditions of sustainability are specified, steps are then defined backward in time from the goal to attain those conditions, rather than to take steps that are merely a continuum of present trends extrapolated into the future.
The paper also includes practical results from the use of the tool within several large manufacturing companies.
This approach provides a superior approach in planning in relation to traditional forecasting, particularly when:
· the problem to be studied is complex,
· there is a need for major change,
· dominant trends are part of the problem,
· the problem to a great extent is a matter of externalities and
· the scope is wide enough and the time horizon long enough to leave considerable room for deliberate choice.

This paper is an attempt to show that Science and Spirituality can coexist and that their combined influences, within a proper context, could result in producing the best of all possible worlds.
My own beliefs are rooted in the Iroquoian Longhouse tradition. Over the years I have met traditional Native people from many parts of North America. During our discussions I have noticed two common threads running through our traditional Native belief systems. One thing we share is the concept of Thanksgiving. The other lies in the essential sameness of our different prophecies. Since I am not free to divulge the content of our prophecies I will concentrate on the Thanksgiving.
In our Longhouse we practice an annual round of Thanksgiving ceremonies which are thousands of years old. When our first sacred messenger brought us these ceremonies he also told us that there is a Creator; that our Creator wishes acknowledgement from us in the form of Thanksgiving; that we should use a Good Mind toward others and that true "success" is for us to be reunited with our Creator.
Though a simple concept, when the Thanksgiving is fully practised it branches into many implications:
1. When we acknowledge a Creator we are admitting we did not create ourselves. We are also admitting we are related to all fellow creatures through a common Creator.
2. Since our lives are primarily gifts, we cannot take credit for any of our strengths or talents. To take credit for these gifts would be a form of plagiarism.
3. Any exceptional gifts we have should be shared as we share all things. Our Earth is like a table and we are a family around it. We should all have a chance to share in the meal.
4. There can be no "Private Property". All things should be as air and water; things that all can share but none can "own".
5. Since we were promised enough we live and give thanks day by day and take only what we need.
6. We cannot shun others because of their appearance. Our Creator has seen fit to allow differences.
7. Our practice of sharing must extend to the "new faces" who are on their way. They will have their own needs. This precludes consumerism and the depletion of resources which it causes.
8. We know tomorrow's people should also have a clean place. This precludes such things as pollution and nuclear devastation.
9. Truly thankful people will know when they have enough. As a result their minds will be at peace and they will not be tormented by greed for more than they need or more than their neighbour has.
10. Our life is a privilege, a gift we should value and respect, and because it is a gift we should not resent our demise.
These are a few views that result from the practice of the Thanksgiving. Their relevance to modern society should be obvious.

Keywords: Spirituality, Thanksgiving, Role of Science, Longhouse, Industrial Civilization

Child Protective Services (CPS) are synthesized using General Systems ideas and applicable theoretical frameworks, as identified in the child welfare literature. The purpose of the paper is to lay out a conceptual change model that can benefit current CPS case workers and supervisors in their professional practice. The applied methodology resembles in many ways Checkland’s (1981) soft systems methodology, which basically calls for a systematic comparison between ‘the real’ and ‘the conceptual’, whenever organizational change is deliberated by managerial staff and administration. To elaborate on the complexity and multi-dimensionality of CPS system’s operations, a pathological CPS model is formulated using clients, direct service staff and CPS supervision as the major units of analysis. Organizational CPS pathology is delineated with consideration to three disparate dimensions of dysfunctional CPS system operations : pathological supervision, intergenerational and work-related staff partialities and turbulence in the practice field. With a considerable amount of feedback resulting from the pathological model, a change model is initiated to help extract the CPS system from its current failures to explicate family preservationistic philosophy and practice. Humanistic supervision, staff development in the areas of self-awareness, cultural responsiveness and client-based practice, lobbying and child advocacy are considered central in optimal future change efforts. It is suggested that recommended changes in the organizational CPS culture can give genesis to disparate feedback loops within the CPS system that can motivate and perpetuate family preservationistic philosophy and practice, both in the direct service as well as the administrative field. The ultimate beneficiaries of such innovations will be the recipients of CPS services, who are unjustly disempowered by current dissenting and multifarious feedback-related, CPS systemic complications. Conclusively, it is recommended that collective search conferences and assertive staff self-evaluations can serve as practical implementation tools to support the application and sustenance of conceptual change in the CPS practice field. It is also suggested that the efficacy of the conceptual model be evaluated by outcome research, concentrating specifically upon the observed benefits of the proposed model for diverse CPS system operations and more importantly, on the benefits and repercussions of recommended changes for clients’ rehabilitation endeavors.

Keywords: Organizational Pathology, Systemic Change, Child Protective Services, Family Preservation Practice

This paper looks at how human values measurement and systems thinking principles can become a part of a sociocybernetic system for understanding chaos in organizations. Tools and methodologies will be examined to see how they might be used to help make sense out of the complexity in the modern organization. Core issues include such elements as decision-making, organizational culture and the usefulness of effective values measurement techniques and their applicability in a sociocybernetic framework.
Links will be made between values and organizational structure and process. Discussion will be centered around how to specifically and practically use both individual and organizational values to transform organizations toward a more effective and efficient reality.
The Influences of Behavioural Skills on Performance Management and its implications for businesses today
Lara Hamchaoui, Dr. Lawrence Reavill, and Dr. Sionade Robinson
Department of Management Systems and Information
City University Business School
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB

Human Resource Management has had to re-vitalise its strategies and philosophies in light of the increasing changes in customer demands and their impact on organisation strategy. The level of employee skill has had to increase dramatically to cope and manage with customer requirements. The expansion of the service industry has meant more focus on the service that company’s provide, this in turn puts more onus on the employee who provides the service.
This paper will examine why and how Human Resource Management has had to evolve into managing the performance of employees rather than just their outputs and consequently try to influence the level of competence of an employee in performing at an acceptable level. This from a systems point of view introduces several elements that may influence the success or failure of this competency approach. Thus, this paper seeks to address these elements and discuss their impact on Human Resource Management and organisations today and in the future.

Key Words: Employee Development, Hierarchy, Control, Competency, Communication

In this paper, I would like to discuss some of the conclusions of my dissertation thesis, "Toward a Science of Synthesis: The Heritage of General Systems Theory," completed in May 1997 (finally!). My discussion will draw from a paper I presented at the biennial conference of the International Society for the History, Philosophy, and Social Studies of Biology in July 1997, entitled "The Use of Biological Metaphor in the Behavioral Sciences: Society as Organism, Ecosystem, or Irreducible Emergent." In addition, I will address material from chapters nine and ten of my dissertation, in which I briefly outline what I consider to be some of the critical developments in the evolution of the Society for General Systems Research, from its inception in 1954. My inquiry focuses primarily on the social implications of systems thought, particularly in response to such critiques as Robert Lilienfeld's (1974) that systems theory is nothing more than technocratic ideology. In contrast, I suggest that certain strands of systems thought support much more participatory and inclusive models of social organization.

Small-scale vegetation in controlled environments to investigate emergence in far-from-equilibrium ecosystem thermodynamics
T. Havlicek
University of Wisconsin-Madison
T.F.H Allen
University of Wisconsin-Madison
J. Norman
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Moving from leaves to kilometers of remotely sensed vegetation interposes many emergent levels. By investigating emergence and its positive feedbacks per se, we facilitate observation and manipulation of large scale vegetation systems.
Controlled experiments were performed to test an emerging paradigm of ecosystem thermodynamics which states that more mature and complex ecosystems have more elaborate structure and pathways which dissipate the gradient from the warm planet surface to cool outer space. The purpose was to test experimentally the capacity of simple and increasingly complex contrived Arabidopsis and Glysine max (soybean) vegetation to dissipate energy through the latent heat of vaporization when exposed to energy gradients. We grew the vegetation in 2x3x4 ft wind tunnels to control for wind regime effects on the vegetation, and to introduce morphological and physiological differences to the contrived vegetation stands. This enabled us to increase canopy complexity while holding geneticfactors constant. We also introduced complexity to the canopy architecture by mixing different genotypes and species within the contrived stands. We measured energy degradation capabilities by evapotransipiration rates and thermal infrared canopy surface temperature of the different vegetation stands. Positive results should show that more complex vegetation stands that embody far-from-equilibrium structures emit less radiant energy because of their increased energy degradation capabilities. Thus they should have a cooler surface temperature, via increased levels of evapotranspiration and other pathways.

The paper’s contents will address an underlying problem of early GST, and then trace how the implications of that early dilemma have passed off into a wide range of socio-economic endeavors. The results are problematic for the endeavors, and damaging to the credibility of much of what was profound and beneficial in systems theory.
The dilemma is the entropy concept and how it was presented in early systems theory. Early developers of the systems perspective used entropy in a way that does not stand up to close scrutiny. They took the concept from its use in the more pessimistic world of energy/material based phenomena, and pushed it into the metaphysical world where the rules were ambiguous. From the new platform they argued how in some spheres of thought entropy could be managed, and sometimes even reversed. A logical framework was construction as to how the operations of the metaphysical world were not subject to restrictions associated with processes of decay and disorder as clearly experienced in the physical world.
The dilemma began when other GST pioneers then shifted the framework towards general living systems in order to argue that life forces, including information systems, were in opposition to entropy processes. Some of the followers of GST then expanded the logic to include the social realm and all that it did. A few even re-entered the real of energy/matter to argue that socio-economic and scientific processes could stand up to, perhaps even defeat, entropic decay.
As systems theorists give their interpretation of sustainability, and they should formulate one, there needs to be a resolution of the early dilemma posed by the GST approach to entropy. Definitions of sustainability change dramatically depending on how entropy is defined, delimited or denied. Other areas of science have demonstrating that the entropy process is clearly not to be denied.
In 1981, an IBM researcher, Charles Bennett, resolved Maxwell’s problem by showing how a perfectly efficient engine was impossible not just in fact, but also in principle. He showed how even Maxwell’s “demon” must expend energy in the process of becoming sustainable via “saving” energy. The “demon” must forget each transaction prior to the next encounter. Rolf Landauer had demonstrated some years before that the only steps in computation that necessarily produce waste heat are erasures of information. One caveat remained, Bennett’s proof relied on classical physics thus there remained a shadow of doubt relative to entropy’s operations in the realm of quantum mechanics, and then in statistical thermodynamics.
In a 1997 Physical Review article by Seth Lloyd of MIT it is shown that in the wholly quantum world the “demon” is even less efficient than he was in the classical world. Outside systems theory the issue is now settled. The contents of the paper will argue that GST needs to reconsider its long-standing approach to entropy in light of what is known from other sciences. this especially important prior to it dealing with issues like what is and can be truly “sustainability” in what humans produce, consume, and do.
Aspects of a major research innovation of EPA will be presented to support the thesis of the paper. The research involves non-regulatory means to change human behavior. The key problem in the EPA project is that via certain conceptual arguments about entropy the participants, who are the producers and not consumers, avoid changing their processes to provide consumers with greater product efficiencies.

Human Values in Technology
M. Hebel
University of Greenwich
School of Business and Management, Woolwich Campus
Riverside House, Beresford Street, London, SE18 6BU, UK

This paper takes a phenomomenological approach to the requirements of matching technology to organisational needs. It suggests that in order to achieve a good match it is necessary to harmonise the values embodied in both areas. It is based on research into the issues surrounding performance measurement which was found to contain many conceptual parallels and shared technology. The soft systems analysis places human values theory in the context of systems thinking, where values are taken as system components, their groupings as systems and the expectations and behaviours produced by the sytem as emergence. The paper goes on to discuss the interaction of value systems and their synergistic qualities of world-views which inevitably impact on the introduction of new technology or its application.

The separation, both conceptually and geographically, of design and manufacturing activities is becoming more and more prevalent in industry. With this separation, the “over-the-wall” mentality, where design and manufacture iterate until a manufacturable product is developed, is inevitable. This type of iteration requires excessive travel and expense to maintain communications between design and manufacture, meaning that the overall manufacturing enterprise is becoming less and less sustainable. In order to counteract this, we propose a distinct separation of design and manufacture, which takes place earlier in the design process. This means that design activities will encompass the act of determining design intent, possible design configurations, and overall dimensions. That design intent is then conveyed to the Design for Manufacture design phase, where the embodiment of the design is developed. This detail design of the artifact, as well as the manufacture of the product becomes the responsibility of manufacturing professionals, who take on the design responsibilities of the Design for Manufacture phase. However, there is one problem with this scenario. That problem is: How do we convey design intent, possible design configurations, and overall dimensions of a product and ensure that they are maintained?
In this case, we will be exploring this question in the context of Rapid Tooling. Rapid Tooling is the process by which Rapid Prototyping Technologies are used to develop tools for the fabrication of products. We are specifically interested in investigating the Rapid Tooling of injection molds, or the development of injection molds use Rapid Prototyping technologies.
The answer to the above question lies in the development of automated tools which the designer may use to design an artifact. If the designer is able to convey the design intent, possible design configurations, and overall dimensions through the use of a CAD model, the designer may then use an automated system to modify the existing model and choose resources to build the product and the tools necessary to fabricate that product without sacrificing design intent. The proposed automated system includes an extensive database of manufacturing processes, materials and heuristics. Using these databases, the designer may include manufacturing considerations in the design. With the aid of these automated tools, the iteration between design and manufacture is eliminated, making the system more sustainable.
In order to achieve this system of automated design tools, a set of manufacturing resources must be compiled. The specifications of these resources are not necessarily represented by definite, crisp numbers. Often, these specifications are presented as ranges. This means that when selecting the appropriate resources, some uncertainty will exist. Through the representation of this uncertainty in the final resource selection, a more informed decision may be made as to the appropriate choice of resources. In this paper, we describe a method for modeling uncertainty using fuzzy sets and using a selection method, namely the Selection Decision Support Problem, to determine the most feasible resources for use in the manufacture of a specified product.

Keywords: Sustainability, Decision-Based Design, Decision Support Problem (DSP), Fuzzy Logic, Rapid

This paper will explore present issues related to Business Ethics as referred to actual behavior of social actors involved, its causes and consequences arising from and with impact on the local, national and globalized context.
Certain basic principles will be studied, certain action - oriented alternatives will be analyzed, and certain criteria for teaching Business Ethics from a systemic viewpoint in higher education will be developed.
Certain specific issues will be dealt with, such as:
1.Ethical purpose and ethical action
2.Ethics by abiding by the law and ethics by going beyond the call of law
3.Ethical action and creation of a context for ethical action
4.Ethics as object of motivation and ethics as object of control
5.Ethical performance by persons and ethical performance by organizations
6.Ethics in processes and ethics in results
7.Ethics and Quality
8.Ethics compared with others (“ethics benchmarking”) and ethics compared in time (“ethics dynamics”)
9.Ethics of employees and ethics of their bosses
10.Ethics protecting property and ethics protecting life
A symposium to discuss this type of issues is suggested, in lieu of a paper session. This and other related papers would be used as a discussion guideline.
Entropy, Infinity, and God - the universe and beyond
Daniel Hershey
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Mail Location #0171, University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221-0171 USA

A discussion of the second law of thermodynamics will introduce the concept of Entropy and the consequences of increasing Entropy, for aging, evolving systems. Entropy, as a measure of order and disorder, tells us much about birth, aging, and death. Death is when we achieve maximum disorder (maximum Entropy). Entropy also indicates the direction of time’s arrow.
The theory of the big bang birth of our universe leads to questions concerning the history, evolution, and dimensions of our universe. This yields thoughts of what is “beyond” out universe and raises questions, such as what does “beyond” mean. This is the prelude for thinking the largest question: The meaning and conceptualization of Infinity. Infinity is the grandest of concepts, without limits, without boundaries, beyond our imagination. No discussion of Infinity can ignore the concept of God, and God’s relationship to Infinity. God, as a concept, is also beyond limits.
These three ideas, Entropy, Infinity, and God are examined together. The aim is to show how they merge, and to try to understand our existence, the birth of our universe, the presence of God, and the question: What is “beyond” our universe.

This is a paradigm for restructing and re-engineering a corporation. Cities, corporations, and civilizations are aging, evolving systems, experiencing birth, life, aging, and death. They are affected by size, structure, stability, and senescence.
Six parameters are identified which describe the efficiency of a organization’s structure. These are: (1) overlapping activities; (2) the geometry of the table of organization; (3) interactions which by-pass the bosses; (4) the center of gravity of power; (5) the distribution of power; and (6) informational entropy (the efficiency of information flow).
We will describe how the first five parameters affect the sixth, informational entropy. For example, high entropy is associated with high disorder and overlapping activities. A more vertical structure also yields high entropy. Interactions which bypass the bosses distort information flow and raise entropy. having the center of gravity of power near the top of the organization creates an ease of information flow and less disorder and lowered entropy. Making everyone equal, i.e., having all units in the organization equivalent in power and independence is prescription for disaster and high entropy. A case history will be presented.

The nation was shocked at the news that two pre-teen boys, ages 11 and 13, opened fire in a pre-arranged fire drill at a middle-school in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Besides four girls and one teacher dead, there were ten others wounded. Not too long ago other killings by youngsters in Mississippi and Kentucky similarly stunned us. The latest open-fire school shooting on May 21 of this year by a 15-year-old in Springfield, Oregon killed his parents at home, two students at school with 22 other students wounded. These incidents are a wake-up call for societal action.
No, these young kids did not come from another planet and suddenly descended upon us. Indeed, we produced them. These horrific episodes should serve as a wake-up call to all of us, individually and collectively. What kind of society created these so-called “young monsters”? Surely, they were molded by us - their parents, their schools, their communities and everyone and everything that touched their young lives. Yes, television, movies, cartoons, “gangsta rap” and heavy metal music all played a part. Not only is the entire culture more violent but there exist less civility, less graciousness, less politeness, less kindness and caring, and less “humanly correct” conduct in our personal relationships.
The forces at work are complex and need to be understood since they are crucially interrelated. To sum it up, we all live in a violent society where hostility and overt aggression toward others are all too common and from which our children learn. They are “our children” after all. Infants are not born “bad” nor violent. Children learn this behavior on a day-to-day basis by how they perceive others react to any event and how they are treated at home, at school, in the playground by other kids, by the media, and by all occurrences that ever touched them. Certainly, dysfunctional families are a root cause.
We need to take action. We need community speak-outs, town meetings, school forums, TV panels and other forms of airing our overall violence problem with its varied components. We Americans know how to air an issue, with a multitude of media exposure, and we know how to pound it to death - weeks, months, years, for as long as it takes. Let’s get started. All our lives are at stake and our children are crying out for help.

After decades of tremendous progress today’s medicine is encountring limits, which have no longer anything to do with medical practice in the sense of the hippocritical oath. Those times are past when the doctor could help the patient with simple advice and remedies. Today our medicine is embedded in a complex correlation with various hierarchical systems. Right on top is the wish of the patient to be healed and the doctor who should fulfil this wish to the best of his knowldge and belief. In the doctor’s decision over a correct therapy there are still other aspects which determine his procedure with regard to the treatment. These are: the financial management of the practice, the scientificand official medical teaching, the social-and health policy, consideration of costs and profit, health insurances and last but not least also the personal integrity of the doctor, ethical and moral aspects.
Modern medicine is technica