Explaining information systems change: a punctuated socio-technical change model

We outline a Punctuated Socio-Technical Information System Change model. The model recognizes both incremental and punctuated socio-technical change in the context of information systems at multiple levels – the work system level, the building system level, and the organizational environment. It uses socio-technical event sequences and their properties to explain how a change outcome emerged. The critical events in these sequences correspond to gaps in socio-technical systems. By conceiving information system (IS) change as a multi-level and punctuated sequence of socio-technical events, IS researchers can conceive plausible and accurate process explanations of IS change outcomes, including IS failures. Such explanations are located in the middle range and thus avoid the highly abstract and stylized closed-boxed factor models of change, but go beyond the idiographic open box histories of singular change processes.     

Mathematical model of HIV-infection transmission and dynamics in the size of risk groups

The research is aimed at developing and studying the distribution model of the human immunity deficit virus (HIV) that includes dynamics in the formation of risk groups. Most of the HIV distribution models assume that the risk of infection does not change over the individual’s lifetime. This work, in contrast, proposes a model of virus transmission in a population with a dynamic risk. The risk dynamics are described by the model of the formation of groups of individuals with alcohol and drug dependence, which are the main factors influencing the spread of HIV in Russia.     

Creating collaborative groups in a MOOC: a homogeneous engagement grouping approach

ABSTRACT

Collaborative learning can improve the pedagogical effectiveness of MOOCs. Group formation, an essential step in the design of collaborative learning activities, can be challenging in MOOCs given the scale and the wide variety in such contexts. We discuss the need for considering the behaviours of the students in the course to form groups in MOOC contexts, and propose a grouping approach that employs homogeneity in terms of students’ engagement in the course. Two grouping strategies with different degrees of homogeneity are derived from this approach, and their impact to form successful groups is examined in a real MOOC context. The grouping criteria were established using student activity logs (e.g. page-views). The role of the timing of grouping was also examined by carrying out the intervention once in the first and once in the second half of the course. The results indicate that in both interventions, the groups formed with a greater degree of homogeneity had higher rates of task-completion and peer interactions, Additionally, students from these groups reported higher levels of satisfaction with their group experiences. On the other hand, a consistent improvement of all indicators was observed in the second intervention, since student engagement becomes more stable later in the course.     

Creating engaging courseware using system dynamics

There is much discussion in the instructional technology literature concerning the importance for engaging courseware, especially in contrast to page-turning courseware. While we believe that there is a useful place for simple, page-turning courseware (e.g., in tutorials accompanying software products, for overview introductions to a topic, etc.), we agree that for more sophisticated and complex learning situations the key to a successful learning environment is the degree to which learners are cognitively engaged with the subject matter. System dynamics has been shown to be an effective tool in managing (representing, modeling, and comprehending) the complexities of domains that involve complex structures, especially those characterized by feedback loops, delays, and uncertainty (Forrester, 1961, 1985, 1992; Senge, 1990). In this paper, we shall suggest a framework for using system dynamic tools and technologies as the basis for constructing highly engaging learning environments.     

Business processes in the agile organisation: a socio-technical perspective

This paper takes a cross-disciplinary view of the ontology of “business process”: how the concept is treated in the IS research literature and how related concepts (with stronger human behavioural orientation) from organisation and management sciences can potentially inform this IS perspective. In particular, is there room for socio-technical concepts such as technology affordance, derived from the constructivist tradition, in improving our understanding of operational business processes, particularly human-centric business processes? The paper presents a theoretical framework for understanding the role of business processes in organisational agility that distinguishes between the process-as-designed and the process-as-practiced. How this practice aspect of business processes also leads to the improvisation of various information technology enablers, is explored using a socio-technical lens. The posited theoretical framework is illustrated and validated with data drawn from an interpretive empirical case study of a large IT services company. The research suggests that processes within the organisation evolve both by top-down design and by the bottom-up routinisation of practice and that the tension between these is driven by the need for flexibility.     

Adaptive socio-technical systems: a requirements-based approach

A socio-technical system (STS) consists of an interplay of humans, organizations, and technical systems. STSs are heterogeneous, dynamic, unpredictable, and weakly controllable. Their operational environment changes unexpectedly, actors join and leave the system at will, actors fail to meet their objectives and under-perform, and dependencies on other actors are violated. To deal with such situations, we propose an architecture for STSs that makes an STS self-reconfigurable, i.e., capable of switching autonomously from one configuration to a better one. Our architecture performs a Monitor-Diagnose-Reconcile-Compensate cycle: it monitors actor behaviors and context changes, diagnoses failures and under-performance by checking whether monitored behavior is compliant with actors goals, finds a possible way to address the problem, and enacts compensation actions to reconcile actual and desired behavior. Compensation actions take into account the autonomy of participants in an STS, which cannot be controlled. Our architecture is requirements driven: we use extended Tropos goal models to diagnose failures as well as to identify alternative strategies to meet requirements. After presenting our conceptual architecture and the algorithms, it is founded upon; we describe a prototype implementation applied to a case study concerning smart-homes. We also provide experimental results that suggest that our architecture scales well as the size of the STS grows.     

Creating a model of passive electronic components using a neural network approach

Certain ways to design parametric models of passive components using artificial neural networks are discussed. The basic types of neural networks being suitable for the problems of multidimensional approximation are considered. Finally, the ways to construct parametric models of passive components are suggested (including the results demonstrating their efficiency).     

STARS: a socio-technical framework for integrating design knowledgeover the Internet

Traditional design tools usually model collaborative work as a process of data access and sharing. In globally distributed environments, however, it becomes important to model the interdisciplinary perspectives that individual contributors bring to the data. We refer to the individuals involved in the design process as stakeholders. Each stakeholder comes to the project with a different perspective: that is, different preferences, environments, and knowledge. An information system that accounts for these social and technical factors would not only manipulate design data, but also facilitate the reconciliation of these design perspectives over the Internet. This article presents a conceptual framework for supporting knowledge integration by modeling stakeholders' design perspectives. We describe the Social-Technical Analysis Research System (STARS), a prototype implementation system that uses advanced networking techniques to support stakeholders' interaction in collaborative design     

Systems scenarios: a tool for facilitating the socio-technical design of work systems

Abstract

The socio-technical systems approach to design is well documented. Recognising the benefits of this approach, organisations are increasingly trying to work with systems, rather than their component parts. However, few tools attempt to analyse the complexity inherent in such systems, in ways that generate useful, practical outputs. In this paper, we outline the ‘System Scenarios Tool’ (SST), which is a novel, applied methodology that can be used by designers, end-users, consultants or researchers to help design or re-design work systems. The paper introduces the SST using examples of its application, and describes the potential benefits of its use, before reflecting on its limitations. Finally, we discuss potential opportunities for the tool, and describe sets of circumstances in which it might be used.

Practitioner Summary: The paper presents a novel, applied methodological tool, named the ‘Systems Scenarios Tool’. We believe this tool can be used as a point of reference by designers, end-users, consultants or researchers, to help design or re-design work systems. Included in the paper are two worked examples, demonstrating the tool’s application.     

Cost-benefit analysis of a socio-technical intervention in a Brazilian footwear company

This article presents a costs-benefits analysis of a macroergonomic intervention in a Brazilian footwear company. Comparing results of a pilot line (composed by 100 multiskilled workers organized in teams) with eight traditional lines (still working in a one human being/one task model) the intervention showed to be worth pursuing since achieved gains were higher than intervention costs: there was a reduction in human resource costs (80% reduction in industrial accidents, 100% reduction in work-related musculoskeletal disorders or WMSD, medical consultations and turnover, and a 45.65% reduction in absenteeism) and production improvement (productivity increased in 3% and production waste decrease to less than 1%). The net intervention value of the intervention was around U$ 430,000 with a benefit-to-cost ratio of 7.2. Moreover, employees who worked in the pilot line understood that their quality of work life improved, compensating the anxiety brought up by the radical changes implemented.     

Symbolic dynamics of a chaotic neuron model

Chaotic neurons change their internal state according to a bimodal map, and when they communicate with other neurons their internal state is transformed into one of two separate outputs, firing or resting. We address and investigate the topological entropy of the two-valued output of the chaotic neuron from two different viewpoints: the dependence upon the parameters of the neurons, and the relationship to their threshold. From the former viewpoint, we clarify the mechanism that changes the shift space corresponding to the time series of the neuronal output. From the latter viewpoint, we examine the effect of small fluctuations on the threshold of the chaotic neuron. This work was presented in part at the 7th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 16–18, 2002     

密码库模型建立与应用

在逆向分析程序二进制代码时经常会遇到密码库函数。为了减少工作量,设计了一个面向分析人员的密码库模型。模型通过形式化的方法描述密码学框架和密码函数库的架构,并完成密码库函数属性到框架的映射,最后实现了数据解析与映射结果展示。模型能够解决两方面问题：一是掌握密码函数在库中所属的层次;二是了解该函数实现何种密码学相关算法、协议等信息,并以图形化方式展示结果。模型能够自动、快速地为分析人员找到相关知识,有助于学习密码学的整体抽象结构。     

The design of intelligent socio-technical systems

The design of intelligent socio-technical systems calls for careful examination of relevant social and organizational concepts. We present a method for supporting this design process, placing emphasis on different levels of formal characterization, with equal attention to both the analysis of concepts in a formal calculus independent of computational concerns, and the representation of concepts in a machine-processable form, fully cognizant of implementation issues—a step in the method we refer to as principled operationalization. There are many tools (i.e. formal languages) that can be used to support the design method; we define and discuss criteria for evaluating such tools. We believe that, were the method proposed to be adopted, it would enhance the state-of-the-art in the systematic design and engineering of socio-technical systems, respecting the fundamentally interdisciplinary nature of those tasks, in both their theoretical and practical dimensions.     

Vagueness in models of socio-technical systems

This article presents graphical modelling concepts, especially for the modelling of socio-technical processes. This requires the representation of those parts of knowledge which cannot be stated definitely and have to be modelled vaguely. The presented modelling concepts allow the extension of existing graphical and textual modelling methods to model facts without making unnecessary and unwelcome commitments about not already completed knowledge. In the same way, it also allows the modelling of facts which cannot be modelled completely, like aspects of social systems comprising of cooperation and communication. A special modelling notation (SeeMe) is used to present the concepts. A systematic differentiation of vagueness shows the alternative ways for modellers to express vague facts. Expressing undetermined decisions is another element of vague modelling in SeeMe.     

Creating and simulating a realistic physiological tongue model for speech production

Simulation of the tongue has important applications in biomechanics, medical science, linguistics, and graphics. The accuracy of the geometry, intrinsic structure and dynamic simulation of tongue are crucial for these applications. In this paper, we build a 3D anatomically and biomechanically accurate tongue model. For ensuring anatomical accuracy, the tongue mesh model is constructed based on accurate medical data and an interactive muscle marking method for specifying the muscle geometry and fiber arrangement. For ensuring biomechanical accuracy, a nonlinear, quasi-incompressible, isotropic, hyperelastic constitutive model is applied for describing the tongue tissues. Particularly, tongue muscles are additionally endowed with an anisotropic constitutive model, which reflects the active and passive mechanical behavior of muscle fibers. The dynamic simulation results of tongue movements subjected to certain muscle activations are presented and validated with experimental data, indicating the suitability for visual speech synthesis.     

Credit market dynamics: a cobweb model

Starting from a recent model developed by Dieci and Westerhoff (Appl Math Comput 215:2011–2023, 2009; J Econ Behav Organ 75(3):461–481, 2010) enriching the classic cobweb framework based on the findings of Brock and Hommes (Econometrica 65:1059–1095, 1997; J Econ Dynam Control 22:1235–1274, 1998), an original model is set up to analyse the interactions among two types of credit markets considered from the aggregate demand side view point. The proposed model is an aggregate model for unobserved Financial Institutions which are assumed to supply credit on competitive markets and competition is due to the interest rates (i.e. prices) with respect to the corresponding contracts’ demand. Moreover these Financial Institutions can put contracts on the credit market switching over time on different types of contracts depending on expected profit differentials. Among the main characteristics of this model, the number of clients involved in the two credit markets changes over time. At any time, the density of contracts is assumed to maximize the entropy of the economic system under some constraints concerning aggregate profits where the contract profitability is defined as a function of the spread between the average price of the contracts and a measure of production costs. With reference to some model calibrations, the dynamic behaviours and the reactions of the model are investigated through the study of three shock scenarios. The promising obtained results will address further investigations to apply the proposed model to a real data base of information on Financial Institutions in Italy since 1997 to catch the dynamics of fixed and adjustable interest rate mortgages markets.     

Global dynamics of a two-strain avian influenza model

A deterministic model for the transmission dynamics of avian influenza in birds (wild and domestic) and humans is developed. The model, which allows for the transmission of an avian strain and its mutant (assumed to be transmissible between humans), as well as the isolation of individuals with symptoms of any of the two strains, has a globally asymptotically stable disease-free equilibrium whenever a certain epidemiological threshold, known as the reproduction number, is less than unity. Further, the model has a unique endemic equilibrium whenever this threshold quantity exceeds unity. It is shown, using a non-linear Lyapunov function and LaSalle invariance principle, that this endemic equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable for a special case of the avian-only system. Numerical simulations show that, on average, the isolation of individuals with the avian strain is more beneficial than isolating those with the mutant strain. Furthermore, disease burden increases with increasing mutation rate of the avian strain.

     

Vorton dynamics: a case study of developing a fluid dynamics model for a vector processor

The raw performance of vector processors such as the CDC CYBER-205 has been well documented. The ability to apply this raw power to ever more complex algebraic algorithms has been reported in [9]. The final step in making computers of this class truly the revolutionary tools they are claimed to be is to develop whole applications that perform at a significant fraction of the raw power. This involves two distinct subclasses of problems. On the one hand, there are those pre-existing applications that must be mapped onto vector processors in such a way that not only is performance maintained, but also a (sometimes vague) set of computational boundary conditions of the user community is satisfied. On the other hand, there are those models which are developed ab initio with machines such as the CYBER-205 in mind. The development of solutions to problems in the former class involves psychology and politics as well as mathematics and computer science. We limit ourselves here to reporting on an example of the latter class, viz. a model to study a particular fluid-dynamic phenomenon, that was specifically designed with the CYBER-205 in mind.     

Evaluating expert systems: the socio-technical dimensions of quality

Abstract: In this paper we present a new approach to evaluating expert systems. Our conceptual framework is based on a socio-technical model that spawned some 39 technical and contextual evaluation criteria. These socio-technical dimensions of quality are identified, defined and supported. We suggest that the approach presented here is an alternative to the restrictive verification and validation techniques that seem to be prevalent.