scholarly journals Responding to risk of safety critical infrastructures through a systems thinking approach

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Κωνσταντίνος Καζάρας
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
System Model ◽  
Critical Infrastructures ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
Safety Critical ◽  
Viable System ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach

Το θέμα της ασφάλειας των οδικών σηράγγων που πραγματεύεται η διδακτορική διατριβή απέκτησε ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον μετά τα τραγικά ατυχήματα που συνέβησαν σε σήραγγες του Διευρωπαϊκού Οδικού Δικτύου, στις αρχές της προηγούμενης δεκαετίας (Mont Blanc, Tauern, St Gotthard). Τα παραπάνω ατυχήματα είχαν ως συνέπεια να ψηφιστεί η Ευρωπαϊκή Οδηγία 2004/54/ΕΚ η οποία απαιτεί (άρθρο 3& 13) την εφαρμογή διαδικασιών αποτίμησης επικινδυνότητας (risk assessment) ως εργαλείο εκτίμησης του συνολικού επιπέδου ασφάλειας των κρίσιμων αυτών οδικών υποδομών. Εντούτοις, η Οδηγία δεν ορίζει μια συγκεκριμένη μέθοδο ούτε συγκεκριμένα εργαλεία για το σκοπό αυτό, με αποτέλεσμα οι μέθοδοι αποτίμησης επικινδυνότητας που χρησιμοποιούνται να διαφέρουν στα κράτη μέλη και να ποικίλουν από ποιοτικές σε ποσοτικές και από ντετερμινιστικές σε πιθανοκρατικές. Γεγονός όμως είναι ότι παρά τις όποιες διαφορές τους, η πλειοψηφία των υπαρχουσών μεθόδων βασίζεται στο ίδιο αιτιολογικό μοντέλο ανάλυσης ατυχημάτων μέσω αλυσίδας γεγονότων (chain-of-events accident model) το οποίο στοχεύει στην αποσύνθεση του συστήματος στα θεμελειώδη του στοιχεία και στην εξέταση πως το κάθενα από αυτά μπορεί να οδηγήσει σε ατύχημα.Με δεδομένο ότι κάθε μέθοδος αποτίμησης επικινδυνότητας «χτίζεται» πάνω σε ένα μοντέλο ανάλυσης ατυχημάτων, το ερώτημα που εύλογα προκύπτει είναι αν το μοντέλο αλυσίδας γεγονότων και ο αναγωγισμός στον οποίο στηρίζονται οι υπάρχουσες μέθοδοι αποτελεί την κατάλληλη θεώρηση για να αποτιμηθεί το συνολικό επίπεδο ασφάλειας. Για να απαντηθεί το ερώτημα, η διδακτορική διατριβή υπογραμμίζει τους παράγοντες εκείνους που επηρεάζουν την ασφάλεια του συστήματος των οδικών σηράγγων και αναφέρει τους περιορισμοί και τις αδυναμίες των υφιστάμενων μεθόδων αποτίμησης επικινδυνότητας να λάβουν υπόψη κρίσιμα στοιχεία του συστήματος όπως είναι: (1) ο ανθρώπινος παράγοντας, (2) τα οργανωσιακά θέματα, (3) το λογισμικό (3) τις αλληλεπιδράσεις μεταξύ υπο-συστημάτων, και (4) την προσαρμογή του συστήματος (adaptation).Η διατριβή υιοθετεί την προσέγγιση (και αποδεικνύει) ότι οι οδικές σήραγγες είναι ένα πολύπλοκο κοινωνικοτεχνικό σύστημα, συνεπώς η όποια αναγωγιστική μέθοδος αποτίμησης της επικινδυνότητας του συστήματος έχει εκ προιμίου αδυναμίες για μια ολιστική αποτύπωση της ασφάλειας του. Ως εκ τούτου, η διατριβή προτείνει την αντιμετώπιση των κινδύνων των κρίσιμων οδικών υποδομών μέσα από μια εναλλακτική θεώρηση των πραγμάτων, την συστημική προσέγγιση. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, το συστημικό μοντέλο ανάλυσης ατυχημάτων Systems Theoretic Accident Model and Processes (STAMP) και το οργανωσιακό μοντέλο βιώσιμου συστήματος (Viable System Model) χρησιμοποιούνται για την δημιουργία μιας καινοτόμου συστημικής μεθόδου αποτίμησης ασφάλειας οδικών σηράγγων.

scholarly journals Systems Thinking Approach to Sustainable Performance in RAMSAR Sites

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (22) ◽  
pp. 6469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline Y. Sánchez-García ◽  
Ana Gabriela Ramírez-Gutiérrez ◽  
Juan E. Núñez-Ríos ◽  
Pedro Pablo Cardoso-Castro ◽  
Omar G. Rojas
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Model ◽  
Systems Thinking ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
System Model ◽  
Path Modeling ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Adaptive Capabilities ◽  
Viable System ◽  
Systems Thinking Approach

This article explores and validates the integrated use of the viable system model (VSM) and the partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) approach to assess the sustainable management of RAMSAR sites carrying out economic activities. This work adopts a systems-thinking approach integrating systemic methodologies in three phases: (1) the VSM was first used to develop a conceptual model of the organisational problem; (2) PLS-PM was used to propose a construct to outline a solution, as well as to statistically validate the relationships proposed in the conceptual model; finally, (3) through the VSM, the relationships between actors were rethought in order to promote sustainable performance. The results obtained suggest that the joint use of VSM and PLS-PM is an effective approach that aids in the identification of relational and structural pathologies affecting the observed RAMSAR systems. It also proved useful to suggest that relationships can lead to the sustainable performance of the sites under study. It should be noted that the framework of systemic tools is constrained in its application to the organisational domain: assessing two RAMSAR areas in Mexico. Methodologically, this is the first application of the integrated use of VSM and PLS-PM to analyse the management and viability/sustainability of RAMSAR areas from an organisational perspective, opening a new avenue for the analysis and optimisation of management of such areas. This study provides tools to support actors and academics related to RAMSAR sites and opens up a discussion on how to rethink the organisational interactions in order to improve RAMSAR sites’ adaptive capabilities.

Design of a Conceptual Model for Improving Company Performance Based on Lean Management Applying the Viable System Model (VSM)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergio Gallego García ◽  
Rayco Rodríguez Reyes ◽  
Manuel García García
Keyword(s):  
Production Management ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Service Level ◽  
System Model ◽  
Company Performance ◽  
Lean Management ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
Viable System ◽  
The Right

Abstract Designing, changing and adapting organizations to secure viability is challenging for companies. Researchers often fail to holistically design or transform organizations. Thus, the aim of this study is to propose a holistic approach how organizations can be designed, changed or managed considering also its implications to production management following lean management principles. Hereby the Viable System Model was applied. This structure can be applied to any kind of structured organization and for its management with goals to be achieved in modern society; however focus of the research is the cluster of manufacturing and assembly companies. Goal of the developed organizational model is to be able to react to all potential company environments by taking decisions regarding organization and production management functions correctly and in the right moment based on the needed information. To ensure this, standardized communication channels were defined. In conclusion this proposed approach enables companies to have internal mechanisms to secure viability and also in production to reduce necessary stocks, lead times, manpower allocation and leads to an increase of the service level to the final customer.

scholarly journals The Architecture Design of Electrical Vehicle Infrastructure Using Viable System Model Approach

Systems ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Mahdi Boucetta ◽  
Niamat Ullah Ibne Hossain ◽  
Raed Jaradat ◽  
Charles Keating ◽  
Siham Tazzit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Space ◽  
Electric Vehicles ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
System Model ◽  
Ecosystem Structure ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
Charging Station ◽  
Viable System ◽  
Station Location ◽  
Ev Charging

Exponential technological-based growth in industrialization and urbanization, and the ease of mobility that modern motorization offers have significantly transformed social structures and living standards. As a result, electric vehicles (EVs) have gained widespread popularity as a mode of sustainable transport. The increasing demand for of electric vehicles (EVs) has reduced the some of the environmental issues and urban space requirements for parking and road usage. The current body of EV literature is replete with different optimization and empirical approaches pertaining to the design and analysis of the EV ecosystem; however, probing the EV ecosystem from a management perspective has not been analyzed. To address this gap, this paper develops a systems-based framework to offer rigorous design and analysis of the EV ecosystem, with a focus on charging station location problems. The study framework includes: (1) examination of the EV charging station location problem through the lens of a systems perspective; (2) a systems view of EV ecosystem structure; and (3) development of a reference model for EV charging stations by adopting the viable system model. The paper concludes with the methodological implications and utility of the reference model to offer managerial insights for practitioners and stakeholders.

A new management for enduring company success

Kybernetes ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 40 (3/4) ◽  
pp. 369-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
William F. Christopher
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
System Model ◽  
Business Enterprise ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
System Science ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Turbulent Times ◽  
Changing Times ◽  
Viable System ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explain how the system science and cybernetics in Stafford Beer's viable system model (VSM) will help management structure and manage their company to achieve on‐going success in a fast‐changing world.Design/methodology/approachThe author worked with Stafford Beer in the 1970s, applying his VSM in the corporation he then worked for and has used the VSM ideas in work with companies in 16 countries, always with success. The VSM instructs in how to structure and how to manage. For what to manage the author used Peter Drucker's key performance areas, and has more than 50 years of experience working in these areas.FindingsThe author has found, during his long career in industry and in consulting, that the VSM is the best available guide for structuring and managing a business enterprise for success in turbulent times.Practical implicationsIn the 1950s, Ralph Cordiner “decentralized” General Electric into 120 businesses, pioneering a new, better way to structure and manage a corporation. After 50 years, we have the next revolutionary advance in management, the system science and cybernetics in Stafford's VSM. The VSM includes information and environments in structure, enabling companies to change as appropriate for achieving on‐going success in a world of huge and fast‐growing variety.Originality/valueThe paper shows how a simple form of the VSM includes all the system science company management needs to structure and manage their company for enduring success in fast‐changing times.

scholarly journals IT Supporting Strategy Formulation

2011 ◽  
pp. 2298-2304
Author(s):  
Jan Achterbergh
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technology ◽  
Communication Technology ◽  
System Model ◽  
Competitive Intelligence ◽  
Strategy Formulation ◽  
Viable System Model ◽  
Knowledge Processes ◽  
Strategic Process ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Viable System

This overview approaches information and communication technology (ICT) for competitive intelligence from the perspective of strategy formulation. It provides an ICT architecture for supporting the knowledge processes producing relevant knowledge for strategy formulation. To determine what this architecture looks like, we first examine the process of strategy formulation and determine the knowledge required in the process of strategy formulation. To this purpose, we use Beer’s viable system model (VSM). Second, we model the knowledge processes in which the intelligence relevant for the process of strategy formulation is produced and processed. Given these two elements, we describe an ICT architecture supporting the knowledge processes producing the knowledge needed for the strategic process.

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