Self-Adaptation in Dynamic Disaster Environments: Response to the 2006 Avian Influenza Crisis in Turkey

This paper examines the response to the 2006 avian influenza crisis in Turkey. Using complex adaptive systems as the theoretical framework, the paper discusses the extent to which the Turkish disaster management system showed self-adaptation during the crisis. Self-adaptation requires organizational flexibility that facilitates sufficient information flow through technical and cultural infrastructures. This study uses qualitative methods to analyze the data. The research findings indicate that during the crisis, Turkish disaster management was faced with critical difficulties related to organizational, technical and cultural capacities that undermined its capacity to adapt to changing conditions. The system was able to manage these difficulties in seven to ten days; however, Turkey’s contemporary disaster response services still require a transformation to effectively respond to any influenza pandemic.

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The development of the mammalian dentition as a complex adaptive system

Dental Anthropology Journal ◽

10.26575/daj.v26i3.46 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 26 (3) ◽

pp. 3-6

Author(s):

Alan H. Brook ◽

Toby E. Hughes ◽

Grant C. Townsend ◽

Richard N. Smith ◽

Matthew D. Brook O'Donnell

Keyword(s):

Complex Adaptive Systems ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Adaptive System ◽

Complex Adaptive System ◽

Threshold Model ◽

Statistical Characteristics ◽

Dental Development ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Self Adaptation ◽

Tooth Germs

General characteristics of Complex Adaptive Systems include self-adaptation and or-ganisation, emergence, multitasking, robustness, critical phases, diversity and compatibility with such statistical models as Thresholds and Scale Free Networks. The aim was to investigate wheth-er dental development exhibits the general and statistical characteristics of a Complex Adaptive System, by examining data on normal and abnormal dental development. The findings were that self-adaptation and organisation occur while interactions between genes, epigenetic and environmental factors lead to the emergence of cells, tooth germs and mineralised teeth. Multitasking occurs as signalling pathways act simultaneously and reiteratively during initiation and morphogenesis. Tooth germs that do not attain a critical threshold during development may undergo apoptosis. Diversity is evident in tooth number, size, shape and mineralisation. Statistical investigation shows that males have significantly larger teeth and higher prevalences of megadontia and supernumerary teeth (p<0.05), supporting Brook’s Threshold Model which is further developed here to include shape. Image Analysis of tooth dimensions showed they followed a Power Law distribution, with the first 8 of 34 factors in upper lateral inci-sors accounting for 94.4% of the total variation. In conclusion, the development of the dentition shows the general and statistical characteristics of a Complex Adaptive System.

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Seven Traits of Personal Learning Environments for Designing Quality Online Learning Programs

Ensuring Quality and Integrity in Online Learning Programs - Advances in Educational Technologies and Instructional Design ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-7844-4.ch003 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 66-92

Author(s):

Jolie Kennedy

Keyword(s):

Online Learning ◽

Complex Adaptive Systems ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Phenomenological Study ◽

Complex Adaptive System ◽

Personal Learning ◽

Learning Programs ◽

Complex Adaptive ◽

Research Findings ◽

Academic Lives

This chapter reports on research findings that illustrate a system view of connectedness across personal, professional, and academic contexts with implications for designing quality online learning programs. Connected learners organically blur the line between formal and informal learning when they call on their social networks and engage in online learning systems towards goals in their personal, professional, and academic lives. The phenomenological study referenced in this chapter is framed by complexity theory and grounded in research on complex adaptive systems applied to educational contexts. Examples of lived experiences illustrate how being connected in a personal learning environment is experienced as immersion in a complex adaptive system. Implications and recommendations for quality online learning programs are discussed.

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Organizational Learning In Adapting To Dynamic Disaster Environments In Southern Turkey

Journal of Asian and African Studies ◽

10.1177/0021909616677368 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 217-232

Author(s):

Suleyman Celik ◽

Sitki Corbacioglu

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Organizational Learning ◽

Avian Influenza ◽

Complex Adaptive Systems ◽

Disaster Response ◽

Adaptive Systems ◽

Network Structures ◽

Van Earthquake ◽

Response Systems ◽

2011 Van Earthquake

Using a theoretical framework based on complex adaptive systems and organizational learning, the study compares and contrasts the network structures of two disaster response systems following the 2006 avian influenza crisis and the 2011 Van earthquake in Turkey. This study emphasizes the reorganization of Turkish disaster response in 2009 and its impact in response to 2011 Van earthquake. The research utilizes data from content analysis of news reports from the Turkish daily newspapers Cumhuriyet and Sabah from 28 December 2005 to 17 January 2006 for the avian influenza, and Hurriyet from 23 October 2011 to 8 November 2011 for the 2011 Van earthquake, respectively. The research has used social network analysis and small world ratio based on the content analysis data to compare and evaluate the network structures of the two response systems. Findings indicate that the Turkish disaster system, to some degree, learned from the previous disaster and was therefore better managed. However, the system still remained very centralized and multi-sectoral involvement is still weak.

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