Emerald | Kybernetes | Table of Contents

The Cybernetics of Authenticity

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Jan Bartscht) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The research was conducted in order to identify behaviours that improve a system viability in a complex, chaotic and volatile world.The purpose of this paper is to explain why complex cybernetic systems must be authentic over time in order to maximise their viability in a complex, chaotic and volatile world. Design/methodology/approach - Eight faculty staff from the ‘Thunderbird School of Global Management’ were interviewed around the subject of ‘being a successful 21st Century leader’. These interviews were analysed using Ricoeur’s Hermeneutic Methodology which resulted in three behaviours being identified; be authentic, open and transparent, these behaviours were then deep interpreted according to Ricoeur’s methodology using cybernetic principles. This is an innovative piece of research that brings together phenomenology, cybernetics and leadership studies but it is also limited by being a new approach. Findings - Complex cybernetic systems must be authentic because authentic behaviour nurtures the system's identity and ensures that it is able to consistently generate a clear goal signal. It is also proposed that authenticity is important for coping with the 'law of variety' by acting as an amplification mechanism. Research limitations/implications - The research implication is that it is possible to identify behaviours improve the viability of all complex cybernetic systems. Originality/value - The work is highly original because it provides a cybernetic explanation for why authentic behaviour is necessary. As far as the author is aware, no work has yet combined cybernetics with leadership behaviours and provided a cogent explantion for why authenticity is so important for system viability. The value of this work is that it clearly shows the value of authentic behaviour by showing how and why authentic behaviour improves system viability and inauthentic behaviour harms system viability.

COMPLEXITY AND INTELLECTUAL CAPITAL IN ORGANISATIONS

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Mario Iván Tarride, Patricio Osorio-Vega) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper offers a framework based on the key principles of the complexity paradigm proposed by Edgar Morin to review what can be considered the dominant approach towards knowledge management, i.e., the intellectual capital construct. The main purpose is to identify epistemological weaknesses to offer insights for the improvement of the theory and practice on knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach - Based on the complexity paradigm and its dialogic and recursive principles, a framework to understand knowledge is offered comprising three interrelated requirements, each of which is based on a pair of opposites that we argue are critical for the conceptualisation of a complex knowledge: order and disorder, whole and parts, and non-logical and logical modes of thinking. This tool is applied to reviewing the epistemological assumptions under the intellectual capital approach in order to find insights for further research on knowledge management. The task has an interpretative character and is carried out highlighting central aspects of the intellectual capital construct.Findings - As a result it is possible to point out that the intellectual capital approach does not fulfill the complexity requirements, since it only recognises at the level of human beings their objective and functional aspects of knowledge, given by qualifications and other features that can be measured on the one hand, and driven a priori by a functional strategy, on the other. It ignores, in consequence, the more unstructured and disordered aspect of knowledge which, from a complexity perspective, is constitutive for the creation of innovative ideas.Research limitations/implications - The study is fully centered on intellectual capital literature. A complementary review of other less used expressions of knowledge management such as the construct of ‘communities of practice’, applying the same diagnostic tool, could enrich the conclusions and theoretical proposals. Practical implications - A framework for the detection of epistemological biases is offered and used in this paper to study the intellectual capital construct, which could be also applied for other knowledge-based settings. For business managers and consultants dealing with knowledge management, this paper can also give some insights for the improvement of their organisational interventions.Originality/value - A novel approach, the complexity paradigm, is proposed as the epistemological standpoint to improve theory and practice on knowledge management.

The impact of social media to value added in knowledge-based industries

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The aim of this paper is to investigate the significance of Web 2.0 and social media for the organizational development and adaptation to ever-changing business environment and its successful managing. Proposed model is based on the concepts of innovative economy, knowledge management and social media for value creation in knowledge-based industries. Design/methodology/approach - –The study examines critical factors that influence the role of social media in organizational change and value creation in knowledge-based industries.Findings - The paper contributes to discussion about increasingly important role of social media in value added chain in knowledge-based industries. Research limitations/implications - Social media are still an emerging phenomenon and further studies are required to investigate these relationships over a longer period of time. Practical implications - The topic is relevant for designing corporate strategies in knowledge-based companies becoming a part of global networks. Better understanding of impact of social media on value added could significantly enhance both, the top and bottom lines. Originality/value - The paper explores as to when and why the inexpensive but increasingly widely use of social media in knowledge-based industries is preferred to traditional media. This paper intends to give executives practical hands-on advice for using social media in business campaigns.

A framework to Evaluate the Complexity of Home Care Services

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to assess the potential factors that may generate complexity in managing operations in home care organizations. Hence, a framework which might assist decision-making regarding complexity-driven issues in home care organizations is developed. Design/methodology/approach - Based on a systems thinking view, we develop a framework identifying complexity factors in homecare organizations. The paper is based on field research to explore the practical challenges of managing operations in home care structures. We additionally give a state of the art in many scientific domains; definition of complexity and its implications; complexity in health care; description of home care operations and their management. The literature review enlightens the lack of consensus on home care complexity and thus provides a broad view and a critical analysis of the underlying concepts. Findings - Proposal of a home care operations complexity model (and validation due to a practical application). Practical implications - The framework developed by authors permits one to identify rapidly the existing complexity factors which may create potential damages regarding value creation and cost improvement in HC. Two kinds of HC complexity are identified: HC organization complexity and HC individual patients’ therapeutical projects complexity. Complexity factors are grouped into five categories: factors related to size, factors related to variety, interdependence factors, factors related to uncertainties and factors related to context. By identifying the factors, decision support systems and response plans may be more adapted to the potential existing short comings of operations.Originality/value - Based on authors’ extensive knowledge of home care practices as well as an international systematic review of literature, this paper contributes to a better characterization of factors inducing complexity in the HC context. To our knowledge, operations management literature lacks a general framework enabling a better identification and understanding of what makes HC operations specific. The paper presents an innovative way to analyze home care complexity using a systems thinking-based approach. In this sense, its contribution is very complementary to traditional operations management models.

Cybernetic systems in defence management applications

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Štefan Bojnec) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - This paper aims to introduce cybernetic systems in defence management applications to meet new challenges of the information society and use of system modelling for decision-making.Design/methodology/approach - The paper defines basic terms for understanding the complexity of the defence management applications, which is simplified using input-output modelling.Findings - The paper illustrates the interdisciplinary nature of cybernetics, systems and management sciences. The defence system is analysed and a general input-output model for defence system development recommended.Research limitations/implications - New data technology and data availability provide perspective for applied research using scientific approach.Practical implications - Cybernetic systems for defence provide analytical modelling for management applications.Originality/value - The paper presents concept and empirical evidence for defence system analysis and a new way of thinking that affects defence planning and defence management. A cybernetic, systemic and input-output methodology provides solutions for defence management applications.

Wavelet denoising technique with power spectral density to vibration signal

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - Denoising of the vibration signal is crucial to identify structure’s damage. Based on noise frequency character, the "real" vibration signal can be gotten.Design/methodology/approach - The vibration signal with noise which can be collected by wireless network is decomposed by wavelet transform. In order to select optimal level of wavelet decomposition, based on noise’s frequency, power spectral density is used.A soft thresholding method based on minimum mean-variance is used to vibration singal de-noising with Gaussian noise. Findings - A novel method has been described in his paper. Based on the relationship between vibration signal’s character and noise frequency, the way to get rid of noise is combined wavelet transform with power spectral density.Research limitations/implications - The accuracy of the estimate in the soft and hard thresholding estimators and this is usually not the case at coarse scales. On the other hand, Vibration signal is different from others.How to identify the thresholding is still an important field to research.Practical implications - structural health monitoring (SHM)and vibration signal denoising.Originality/value - In order to select optimal level of wavelet decomposition, based on noise’s frequency, power spectral density is used.A soft thresholding method based on minimum mean-variance is used to vibration singal denoising with Gaussian noise.

An investigation of K-means clustering to high and multi-dimensional biological data

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Barilee Baridam, Montaz Ali) — Thu, 30 May 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The objective of this paper is to investigate further, the usefulness of the $K$-means clustering in the clustering of high and multi-dimensional data by applying it to biological sequence data. The squared Euclidean distance and the cosine measure are used as the similarity measures. We use the silhouette validity index first to show that $K$-means algorithm is not suitable for clustering high and multi-dimensional biological data irrespective of the distance or similarity measure employed. A preprocessor scheme is then added to the $K$-means algorithm. The scheme is used to automatically initialize a suitable value of $K$ prior to the execution of the $K$-mean algorithm. Central to the preprocessor is the average silhouette value of the clusters. Our investigation suggests that the use of the silhouette value in the preprocessor improves the quality of clusters significantly for the biological datasets considered.Design/methodology/approach - We suggest a scheme which maps the high dimensional data into low dimensions. We have then shown that the $K$-means algorithm with preprocessor produces good quality, compact and well-separated clusters of the biological data mapped in low dimensions. For the purpose of clustering we conduct a character-to-numeric conversions to transform the nucleic/amino acids symbols to numeric values.Findings - A preprocessing technique has been suggestedOriginality/value - Conceptually it is a new paper with new results

Generalising the Konig-Egerváry Theorem

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Alex Andrew) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - The extension of the Konig-Egerváry Theorem to apply to matrices of dimensionality greater the two is considered. It is shown that the theorem holds for matrices of any dimensionality, in the standard case where "cover" of selected elements is by lines, and the criterion for independence is also with reference to lines. Attention is also given to the case where cover and (hyper-)independence are with reference to planes, or submatrices of higher dimensionality, rather than lines, and counter-examples are given that show the theorem does not then hold universally. A preliminary survey is made of the diverse proofs that have been devised for the basic theorem, and in an Appendix an approach to the multidimensional Transportation Problem is reviewed.Design/methodology/approach - Interest in generalisation of the theorem arose from the attempt to extend the Hungarian Method for the Assignment Problem to higher dimensionality. The results are also interesting as purely mathematical theory. Findings - The theorem has been shown to extend to the multidimensional case when cover and independence are defined with reference to lines, but not universally otherwise.Practical implications - Extension of the theorem to higher dimensionality has not produced a rigorous corresponding extension of the Hungarian Method, but may stimulate further studies. An approximate extension of the method (approximate insofar as it gives no guarantee of convergence on an optimum) will be described in a later publication. The study of the multidimensional Transportation Problem, reviewed in the Appendix, confirms the general difficulty of extending a class of methods from elegant solutions in the two-dimensional case to versions for higher dimensionality.Originality/value - The results are believed to be original. Their main value is likely to be in stimulating interest that may lead to further developments as suggested.

Solving nonlocal boundary value problems for first- and second-order differential equations by the Adomian decomposition method

literatinetwork@emeraldinsight.com (Lazhar Bougoffa, Randolph Rach) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Purpose - In this paper, we present a new approach to solve nonlocal boundary value problems of linear and nonlinear first- and second-order differential equations subject to nonlocal conditions of integral type by a modified Adomian decomposition method, which permits convenient resolution of these equations.Design/methodology/approach - The new technique, as presented in this paper in extending the applicability of the Adomian decomposition method, has been shown to be very efficient for solving nonlocal boundary value problems of linear and nonlinear first- and second-order differential equations subject to nonlocal conditions of integral type.Findings - The Adomian decomposition method is shown to readily solve the nonlocal boundary value problems of linear and nonlinear first- and second-order differential equations subject to nonlocal conditions of integral type.Originality/value - The paper presents a new solution algorithm for the nonlocal boundary value problems of linear and nonlinear first- and second-order differential equations subject to nonlocal conditions of integral type.

Editorial for issues 42(3) and 42(4)

Fri, 19 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0100

Abstract

Not available.