Learning the Ashby Box: an experiment in second order cybernetic modeling

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 2073-2090 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrei Cretu
Keyword(s):  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Variable Structure ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Artificial Brain ◽  
Parallel Input ◽  
Learning And Cognition ◽  
Observer System

Purpose W. Ross Ashby’s elementary non-trivial machine, known in the cybernetic literature as the “Ashby Box,” has been described as the prototypical example of a black box system. As far as it can be ascertained from Ashby’s journal, the intended purpose of this device may have been to exemplify the environment where an “artificial brain” may operate. This paper describes the construction of an elementary observer/controller for the class of systems exemplified by the Ashby Box – variable structure black box systems with parallel input. Design/methodology/approach Starting from a formalization of the second-order assumptions implicit in the design of the Ashby Box, the observer/controller system is synthesized from the ground up, in a strictly system-theoretic setting, without recourse to disciplinary metaphors or current theories of learning and cognition, based mainly on guidance from Heinz von Foerster’s theory of self-organizing systems and W. Ross Ashby’s own insights into adaptive systems. Findings Achieving and maintaining control of the Ashby Box requires a non-trivial observer system able to use the results of its interactions with the non-trivial machine to autonomously construct, deconstruct and reconstruct its own function. The algorithm and the dynamical model of the Ashby Box observer developed in this paper define the basic specifications of a general purpose, unsupervised learning architecture able to accomplish this task. Originality/value The problem exemplified by the Ashby Box is fundamental and goes to the roots of cybernetic theory; second-order cybernetics offers an adequate foundation for the mathematical modeling of this problem.

An in-depth study on the implementation aspect of unified time integrators in reactive two-phase flows with consistent time level

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 617-639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Xue ◽  
Xiaobing Zhang ◽  
K.K. Tamma
Keyword(s):  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Time Integration ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Time Level ◽  
Two Phase Flows ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Accuracy

Purpose A consistent implementation of the general computational framework of unified second-order time accurate integrators via the well-known GSSSS framework in conjunction with the traditional Finite Difference Method is presented to improve the numerical simulations of reactive two-phase flows. Design/methodology/approach In the present paper, the phase interaction evaluation in the present implementation of the reactive two-phase flows has been derived and implemented to preserve the consistency of the correct time level evaluation during the time integration process for solving the two phase flow dynamics with reactions. Findings Numerical examples, including the classical Sod shock tube problem and a reactive two-phase flow problem, are exploited to validate the proposed time integration framework and families of algorithms consistently to second order in time accuracy; this is in contrast to the traditional practices which only seem to obtain first-order time accuracy because of the inconsistent time level implementation with respect to the interaction of two phases. The comparisons with the traditional implementation and the advantages of the proposed implementation are given in terms of the improved numerical accuracy in time. The proposed approaches provide a correct numerical simulation implementation to the reactive two-phase flows and can obtain better numerical stability and computational features. Originality/value The new algorithmic framework and the consistent time level evaluation extended with the GS4 family encompasses a multitude of past and new schemes and offers a general purpose and unified implementation for fluid dynamics.

Absorptive capacity and disaster immunity: the mediating role of information quality and change management capability

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Kiarash Sadeghi ◽  
Elisabeth Struckell ◽  
Divesh Ojha ◽  
David Nowicki
Keyword(s):  
Change Management ◽  
Absorptive Capacity ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Information Quality ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Capability

Purpose Service organization supply chains provide a context that amplifies the complexity of interorganizational interdependencies and the need to build unique capabilities and innovative solutions, especially when confronted with man-made or natural disasters. Using the lens of complex adaptive systems (CAS), this study aims to investigate the role of absorptive capacity (AC), change management capability and information quality in improving a firm’s ability to cope with disasters – disaster immunity (DI). The study uniquely parses absorptive capacity into a three-variable, second-order construct (absorptive human resource management, absorptive complementary knowledge and absorptive infrastructure). Design/methodology/approach Using data collected from 264 US service firms in a supply chain context, this paper evaluates the research model using the structural equation modeling approach. Findings The second-order, three-dimensional framework for AC has far superior psychometric properties as compared to the previous unidimensional conceptualizations. Results show that AC influences a firm’s DI through change management capability and information quality – two DI enhancing resources. Originality/value The paper builds on previous conceptual discussions of absorptive capacity as a multidimensional construct by operationalizing AC as a latent variable with three dimensions (above). Moreover, this paper shows that AC, change management capability, information quality and DI are interrelated parts of a CAS.

scholarly journals Conceptualizing a circular framework of supply chain resource sustainability

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 1520-1540 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.C. Lenny Koh ◽  
Angappa Gunasekaran ◽  
Jonathan Morris ◽  
Raymond Obayi ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Ebrahimi
Keyword(s):  
Supply Chain ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Decision Rules ◽  
Theory Building ◽  
Theory Of Constraints ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Resource Sustainability

Purpose In response to calls for conceptual frameworks and generic theory building toward the advancement of sustainability in supply chain resource utilization and management, the purpose of this paper is to advance a circular framework for supply chain resource sustainability (SCRS), and a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the backdrop of five foundational premises (FPs) deduced from the literature on resource sustainability. Design/methodology/approach Taking a conceptual theory-building approach, the paper advances a set of SCRS decision-support criteria for each of the theoretical premises advanced, and applies the theory of constraints to illustrate the conceptual and practical applications of the framework in SCRS decision making. Findings This study uses recent conceptualizations of supply chains as “complex adaptive systems” to provide a robust and novel frame and a set of decision rules with which to assess the interconnectedness of environmental, economic, and social capital of supply chain resources from pre-production to post-production. Research limitations/implications The paper contributes to theory building in sustainability research, and the SCRS decision framework developed could be applied in tandem with existing quantitative hybrid life-cycle and input-output approaches to facilitate targeted resource sustainability assessments, with implications for research and practice. Originality/value The novel SCRS framework proposed serves as a template for evaluating SCRS and provides a decision-support methodology for assessing SCRS against the five theorized FPs.

scholarly journals Natural convection of Bingham fluids in rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical annuli with differentially heated vertical walls

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sahin Yigit ◽  
Nilanjan Chakraborty
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Nusselt Number ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Yield Stress ◽  
Thermal Transport ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Bingham Fluids ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Mean

PurposeThis paper aims to numerically analyse natural convection of yield stress fluids in rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical annular enclosures. The laminar steady-state simulations have been conducted for a range of different values of normalised internal radius (ri/L1/8 to 16, whereLis the difference between outer and inner radii); aspect ratio (AR=H/Lfrom 1/8 to 8 whereHis the enclosure height); and nominal Rayleigh number (Rafrom 103to 106) for a single representative value of Prandtl number (Pris 500).Design/methodology/approachThe Bingham model has been used to mimic the yield stress fluid motion, and numerical simulations have been conducted for both constant wall temperature (CWT) and constant wall heat flux (CWHF) boundary conditions for the vertical side walls. The conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy have been solved in a coupled manner using the finite volume method where a second-order central differencing scheme is used for the diffusive terms and a second-order up-wind scheme is used for the convective terms. The well-known semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations algorithm is used for the coupling of the pressure and velocity.FindingsIt is found that the mean Nusselt number based on the inner peripheryNu¯iincreases (decreases) with an increase inRa(Bn) due to augmented buoyancy (viscous) forces irrespective of the boundary condition. The ratio of convective to diffusive thermal transport increases with increasingri/Lfor both Newtonian (i.e.Bn= 0) and Bingham fluids regardless of the boundary condition. Moreover, the mean Nusselt numberNu¯inormalised by the corresponding Nusselt number due to pure conductive transport (i.e.Nu¯i/(Nu¯i)cond) shows a non-monotonic trend with increasingARin the CWT configuration for a given set of values ofRa,Pr,Lifor both Newtonian (i.e.Bn= 0) and Bingham fluids, whereasNu¯i/(Nu¯i)condincreases monotonically with increasingARin the CWHF configuration. The influences of convective thermal transport strengthen while thermal diffusive transport weakens with increasingAR, and these competing effects are responsible for the non-monotonicNu¯i/(Nu¯i)condvariation withARin the CWT configuration.Originality/valueDetailed scaling analysis is utilised to explain the observed influences ofRa,BN,ri/LandAR, which along with the simulation data has been used to propose correlations forNu¯i.

scholarly journals Tracking Control of Variable Structure System Using Variable Boundary Layer

2001 ◽  
Vol 5 (6) ◽  
pp. 338-345
Author(s):  
Heejin Lee ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tracking Control ◽  
Linear Time ◽  
Variable Structure ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Initial State ◽  
Variable Boundary ◽  
Variable Structure Systems ◽  
Variable Structure System ◽  
Arbitrary Initial State

In this paper, a new scheme is presented for the accurate tracking control of the second-order variable structure systems using the variable boundary layer. Up to now, variable structure controller(VSC) applying the variable boundary layer did not remove chattering from an arbitrary initial state of the system trajectory because VSC has used the fixed sliding surface. But, by using the linear time-varying sliding surfaces, the scheme has the robustness against chattering from all states. The suggested method can be applied to the second-order nonlinear systems with parameter uncertainty and extraneous disturbances, and have better tracking performance than the conventional method.To demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm, it is applied to a two-link manipulator.

Two-sided form, differentiation and second-order observation in Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s stories

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 1060-1077
Author(s):  
Laura Appignanesi
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Systems Theory ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Order System ◽  
Literary Works ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Art And Literature ◽  
Second Order Systems ◽  
Late Works

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to find a leading idea of the mid-twentieth century, demonstrating the pervasive nature of some concepts belonging to second-order systems theory. To achieve this objective, the paper looks at the art and literature of this era, to identify the principles developed by Luhmann in his late works. In particular, Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and Luhmann’s concepts seem to express, in different ways, the same functioning mechanism of the complex social system. Design/methodology/approach With reference to theoretical approach and methodology, this paper carries out an interdisciplinary demonstration by alternative modes of logos and mythos. Some of the pillars of general systems theory are examined through the logical articulation of concepts developed by Spencer-Brown, von Foerster, and first of all through the late works of Luhmann, as well as through the analysis of Escher’s artworks and Calvino’s literary works. This paper interprets these artistic and literary works using cybernetic principles and systemic concepts, in particular, “two-sided forms,” “system–environment differentiation” and “second-order observation.” Findings In general, the main finding is the similarity of fascination with paradoxes and forms, with post-ontological reasoning, in twentieth century. The result of the cross-reading of Escher, Calvino and Luhmann reveals the presence of what Simmel called the “hidden king”: a philosophical paradigm of an era. In mid-1900s, this leading idea seems to express itself in the discoveries of biology and cybernetics, such as in Luhmann’s theory, art and literature. Escher’s drawings, Calvino’s stories and the concepts of Luhmann are projections of second-order system theory, in its constructivist value. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies mainly in the demonstration of theoretical concepts through the alternative modes of logos and mythos. These reflections can provide a new perspective to investigate social sciences from a cultural angle. This particular approach allows a deep awareness of the theory. The concrete value is to provide a better understanding to manage complexity.

scholarly journals Validating a second-order model for oil and gas projects’ investment climate scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulsalam Mas’ud ◽  
Nor Aziah Abd Manaf ◽  
Natrah Saad
Keyword(s):  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Fit Indices ◽  
Investment Climate ◽  
Order Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Latent Construct ◽  
Climate Scale ◽  
Second Order Model

Purpose The investment climate is one of the key factors considered by foreign investors while deciding their investment destination. This paper aims to attempt at validating the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate. Examination of the relationship between the dimensions of oil and gas projects’ investment climate; strategy, participants/operating environment and risk/return; and the overall latent construct was conducted. The study also evaluates the goodness of fit of the second-order model using relevant fit indices. Design/methodology/approach Oil and gas experts in Malaysian marginal oil fields subsector were deployed, through whom responses were collected that formed the data set used in the analysis. Then, the data were used for confirmatory factor analysis, evaluation of the second-order model through path analysis and for model fit evaluation. Findings The finding revealed that the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate is valid and reliable. It also revealed that all the three dimensions, strategy, participants/operating environment and risk/return, have significant effects on the formation of the oil and gas projects’ investment climate. Finally, the goodness of fit of the second-order model satisfied the relevant fit indices. Research limitations/implications The findings present valuable insights to policymakers on the extent of the influence each of the dimensions has on the overall latent construct. The validity and reliability analysis suggests the measurements of the second-order model of oil and gas projects’ investment climate construct, and its dimensions are valid, reliable and fit for future empirical research. Thus, it calls for replication in other oil and gas settings. Originality/value The findings from the results of this study are pioneering. Extant literature falls short in attempting the validation of the second-order oil and gas projects’ investment climate scale, as well as relating each of the dimensions with the overall latent construct.

A local radial basis function differential quadrature semi-discretisation technique for the simulation of time-dependent reaction-diffusion problems

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Jiwari ◽  
Alf Gerisch
Keyword(s):  
Meshless Method ◽  
Order Of Convergence ◽  
Method Of Lines ◽  
Reaction Diffusion ◽  
Diffusion Models ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Differential Quadrature ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Radial Basis

Purpose This paper aims to develop a meshfree algorithm based on local radial basis functions (RBFs) combined with the differential quadrature (DQ) method to provide numerical approximations of the solutions of time-dependent, nonlinear and spatially one-dimensional reaction-diffusion systems and to capture their evolving patterns. The combination of local RBFs and the DQ method is applied to discretize the system in space; implicit multistep methods are subsequently used to discretize in time. Design/methodology/approach In a method of lines setting, a meshless method for their discretization in space is proposed. This discretization is based on a DQ approach, and RBFs are used as test functions. A local approach is followed where only selected RBFs feature in the computation of a particular DQ weight. Findings The proposed method is applied on four reaction-diffusion models: Huxley’s equation, a linear reaction-diffusion system, the Gray–Scott model and the two-dimensional Brusselator model. The method captured the various patterns of the models similar to available in literature. The method shows second order of convergence in space variables and works reliably and efficiently for the problems. Originality/value The originality lies in the following facts: A meshless method is proposed for reaction-diffusion models based on local RBFs; the proposed scheme is able to capture patterns of the models for big time T; the scheme has second order of convergence in both time and space variables and Nuemann boundary conditions are easy to implement in this scheme.

Exploring an adaptability approach: how creative return processors impact firm performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer A. Espinosa ◽  
James Stock ◽  
David J. Ortinau ◽  
Lisa Monahan
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Complex Adaptive Systems ◽  
Adaptive Systems ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Product Returns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
Returns Management ◽  
The Relationship

PurposeThe authors explore complex adaptive systems (CAS) theory as an updated theoretical perspective for managing product returns that better matches the chaotic nature of recent consumer behaviors. CAS theory highlights the importance of agents who create and self-organize to help systems adapt in unpredictable environments.Design/methodology/approachThis research utilizes data collected from return managers in an online survey and applies regression analyses to estimate the influence of the focal variables.FindingsEmpirical evidence of the firm flexibility–firm adaptability link is established, and return processor creativity positively relates to this link. The firm flexibility–firm adaptability link fully mediates the relationship between return processor creativity and returns management performance and partially mediates the relationship between return processor creativity and relationship quality. Nonmediated effects were observed for turnover and revenue size.Practical implicationsManagers of returns who embrace an adaptability approach become facilitators of returns by supporting processor creativity. Enhancing the autonomy of processors in their day-to-day work increases the knowledge-creation capabilities of the firm, which helps the firm move forward and adapt in an uncertain environment.Originality/valueThis research presents empirical evidence of the underlying mechanisms of CAS theory in the product returns context by studying processor agents and argues that CAS theory better fits the current dynamics of the product returns environment. Further, this paper extends work by Espinosa et al. (2019) and Nilsson (2019) by studying how a specific human characteristic – creativity – impacts product returns management.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document