Underwater Soft Robotics: A Review of Bioinspiration in Design, Actuation, Modeling, and Control

Nature and biological creatures are some of the main sources of inspiration for humans. Engineers have aspired to emulate these natural systems. As rigid systems become increasingly limited in their capabilities to perform complex tasks and adapt to their environment like living creatures, the need for soft systems has become more prominent due to the similar complex, compliant, and flexible characteristics they share with intelligent natural systems. This review provides an overview of the recent developments in the soft robotics field, with a focus on the underwater application frontier.

ANÁLISE AMBIENTAL: UM MODELO DE REFERÊNCIA BASEADO NA TEORIA DE SISTEMAS

Este estudo apresenta uma análise ambiental do processo de fabricação de calçados. O plano de referência foi apresentar um diagnostico de sessões críticas com relação à geração de resíduos e o objetivo foi contribuir com propostas de ações para a mitigação dos resíduos industriais. Foram consideradas as etapas do processo produtivo de calçados: modelagem, corte, pesponto, montagem, acabamento e prancheamento. Adotou-se a abordagem sistêmica como modelo de referência conceitual para as análises. Foi realizada uma pesquisa exploratória, com observação direta e qualitativa. O método do estudo de caso foi aplicado em uma pequena empresa de calçados femininos e masculinos, localizada em Franca, São Paulo. A Teoria de Sistemas possibilitou observação sob o funcionamento do processo produtivo, bem como do tratamento dos resíduos industriais ou da falta deles, assim como das práticas gerenciais. Os resultados, apresentam que as abordagens “Entradas e Saídas, Soft Systems Methodology e o Ciclo PDCA” utilizados cumpriram a função de permitir uma análise totalitária do processo produtivo, facilitando a organização de projetos e servindo de instrumentos para a tomada de decisão.

Precaution Strategy of Moral Hazard Practice in Agricultural Insurance in Indonesia: An Approach of Soft Systems Methodology

This paper uses Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to formulate strategies to prevent moral hazard acts in agricultural insurance in Indonesia. Agricultural insurance takes place, mainly, through Rice Crop Insurance and Cattle Insurance. Generally, the strategies that can be performed to minimize moral hazard practice in agricultural insurance programs are: developing the capacity of human resources, improving field communication, enforcing penalties, institutional strengthening, and adding new products through Islamic agricultural insurance. Specifically, this paper proposes that the prevention of moral hazard practices can be done by implementing Islamic agricultural insurance systems with the concept of risk-sharing instead of risk transfer.

Immersive Learning Design for Technology Education: A Soft Systems Methodology

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education is a globalized trend of equipping students to facilitate technological and scientific developments. Among STEM education, technology education (TE) plays a significant role in teaching applied knowledge and skills to create and add value to systems and products. In higher education, the learning effectiveness of the TE assisted by the immersive technologies is an active research area to enhance the teaching quality and learning performance. In this study, a taught subject of radio frequency identification (RFID) assisted by using mixed reality technologies in a higher education institution was examined, while the soft systems methodology (SSM) was incorporated to evaluate the changes in learning performance. Under the framework of SSM, stakeholders’ perceptions toward immersive learning and RFID education are structured. Thus, a rich picture for teaching activities is established for subject control, monitoring, and evaluation. Subsequently, the design of TE does not only satisfy the students’ needs but also requirements from teachers, industries, and market trends. Finally, it is found that SSM is an effective approach in designing courses regarding hands-on technologies, and the use of immersive technologies improves the learning performance for acquiring fundamental knowledge and application know-how.

The silver lining of COVID-19 – improving operational processes

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for improvement in our operational processes. In our Business Co-Design (BCD) team we have successfully utilised a design-based research (DBR) approach for the past two years - and it has worked well. However, we have noticed that from an operational perspective, the DBR approach methodology we have been using can struggle to scale up, as designing is bespoke and offers tailor made solutions for our individual projects. We will pilot incorporating elements of a soft systems thinking approach together with actornetwork theory (ANT) to enable us in applying a more holistic approach to the design and development of units of study which will provide opportunities for input from the larger team, instead of working in silos. Additionally, we are hopeful that this new approach will also assist us in making our design and projects scalable and sustainable – and to support us in increasing efficiency.

“Here there be dragons”: Using systems thinking to explore constitutional issues

<p>Too often the constitutional dimension of a policy problem is overlooked or under-valued in a process of developing governmental responses to difficult situations. Constitutional issues can be subtle and interlinked, creating a fine balance that can be altered by even minor shifts in policy. It can be difficult to predict the long-term effects of constitutional change, and concern about those effects is likely to be subsidiary to the pragmatic concern with solving the immediately presenting problem. The constitutional response to the Canterbury earthquakes, for instance, highlighted New Zealand’s willingness to favour pragmatism and authoritarianism over some constitutional norms in the right circumstances. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 did not sit as easily with New Zealand’s constitutional norms as it could have. Although now repealed, the Act remains in public sector consciousness as a precedent for future large-scale disaster recoveries. Through a case study based on the Canterbury earthquake recovery legislation, this thesis demonstrates that it is possible to think of a constitution as a conceptual system. This means soft systems thinking approaches can be used to understand and explore constitutional issues. Such approaches have long been applied to human and social processes to better understand their structure and operation. This thesis explores whether applying those approaches to constitutional issues will create fresh insights into those issues and their effects on the broader constitution. Reflecting that systems thinking approaches may be used in busy policy shops, the thesis considers whether these approaches are analytic, quick, and inclusive (Eden et al, 2009). The strength or weakness of a systems-based intervention depends on its fit with the situation to be analysed and with the actors undertaking the intervention (Mingers, 2000). Systems approaches are based in paradigms, which suggests that viewing issues through a range of systems lenses should generate different insights. With that in mind, this thesis triangulates the selection of systems approaches based on their fit with the problem context, and with the available resources and skills. Using that triangulated approach, Soft Systems Methodology and Soft System Dynamics (reinforced by a systems-based policy framework developed by van der Lei et al (2011)) were selected to analyse three dimensions of the Canterbury earthquake recovery legislation: • the extent to which the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 created a system to ensure legitimate decision-making; • the need for coordination or centralised control of earthquake recovery activities; • the need for expedited law-making under the 2011 Act, and the legitimacy of its Henry VIII clause. The systems analysis incorporates both constitutional norms and values to show how the constitution “really works”, an approach which resonates with the theory of constitutional realism (M S R Palmer, 2006a, 2006b). A systems perspective gives a real-world perspective on constitutional legitimacy and can explain otherwise counterintuitive manifestations of constitutional behaviour. It provides a plausible explanation for the self-correcting faculty apparent in the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act’s real world operations. There is, thus, potential for constitutional systems analysis to strengthen advice to governments and enhance public understanding.</p>

“Here there be dragons”: Using systems thinking to explore constitutional issues

<p>Too often the constitutional dimension of a policy problem is overlooked or under-valued in a process of developing governmental responses to difficult situations. Constitutional issues can be subtle and interlinked, creating a fine balance that can be altered by even minor shifts in policy. It can be difficult to predict the long-term effects of constitutional change, and concern about those effects is likely to be subsidiary to the pragmatic concern with solving the immediately presenting problem. The constitutional response to the Canterbury earthquakes, for instance, highlighted New Zealand’s willingness to favour pragmatism and authoritarianism over some constitutional norms in the right circumstances. The Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 did not sit as easily with New Zealand’s constitutional norms as it could have. Although now repealed, the Act remains in public sector consciousness as a precedent for future large-scale disaster recoveries. Through a case study based on the Canterbury earthquake recovery legislation, this thesis demonstrates that it is possible to think of a constitution as a conceptual system. This means soft systems thinking approaches can be used to understand and explore constitutional issues. Such approaches have long been applied to human and social processes to better understand their structure and operation. This thesis explores whether applying those approaches to constitutional issues will create fresh insights into those issues and their effects on the broader constitution. Reflecting that systems thinking approaches may be used in busy policy shops, the thesis considers whether these approaches are analytic, quick, and inclusive (Eden et al, 2009). The strength or weakness of a systems-based intervention depends on its fit with the situation to be analysed and with the actors undertaking the intervention (Mingers, 2000). Systems approaches are based in paradigms, which suggests that viewing issues through a range of systems lenses should generate different insights. With that in mind, this thesis triangulates the selection of systems approaches based on their fit with the problem context, and with the available resources and skills. Using that triangulated approach, Soft Systems Methodology and Soft System Dynamics (reinforced by a systems-based policy framework developed by van der Lei et al (2011)) were selected to analyse three dimensions of the Canterbury earthquake recovery legislation: • the extent to which the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act 2011 created a system to ensure legitimate decision-making; • the need for coordination or centralised control of earthquake recovery activities; • the need for expedited law-making under the 2011 Act, and the legitimacy of its Henry VIII clause. The systems analysis incorporates both constitutional norms and values to show how the constitution “really works”, an approach which resonates with the theory of constitutional realism (M S R Palmer, 2006a, 2006b). A systems perspective gives a real-world perspective on constitutional legitimacy and can explain otherwise counterintuitive manifestations of constitutional behaviour. It provides a plausible explanation for the self-correcting faculty apparent in the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Act’s real world operations. There is, thus, potential for constitutional systems analysis to strengthen advice to governments and enhance public understanding.</p>

Exploring Comparative Advantage in the Context of Climate Change with Māori Organizations

<p>Purpose –The purpose of this research is to investigate perceptions of comparative advantage in the context of climate change with Māori organizations in New Zealand. This study seeks insights, from an alternate paradigm into how concepts within strategy, such as values and identity, can help to achieve comparative advantage in an increasingly carbon constrained world. Design/methodology/approach – Peter Checkland’s Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) has been employed as a framework for exploring Māori perceptions of achieving comparative advantage in the context of climate change in order to identify areas of transformation and define actions. A total of 10 organizations active in land-based sectors in New Zealand participated in this research study. Findings – The key area of action, or transformation, identified through the research process was for Māori organizations, and New Zealand more broadly, to be aware of the potential comparative advantage that Māori organizations have in the context of climate change. Research limitations/implications – While Soft Systems Methodology and Kaupapa Māori principles were applied to this research, a full participatory action research approach was not possible due to time and resource constraints. The participatory nature of the research could be expanded by narrowing the scope to one organization in order to see the methodology through to implementing actions. Originality/value – This research highlights the importance of perceptions in achieving action on climate change, by understanding where organizations may have a particular comparative advantage given their unique values and identity. It has value within the New Zealand economy, and potentially for businesses struggling with how to incorporate climate change into their business strategy globally.</p>