| 1. |
- Barros-Castro, Ricardo A., et al.
(författare)
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Systemic Intervention for Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning
- 2015
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : Wiley. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 32:1, s. 86-105
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a systemic intervention approach as a means to overcome the methodological challenges involved in research into computer-supported collaborative learning applied to the promotion of mathematical problem-solving (CSCL-MPS) skills in schools. These challenges include how to develop an integrated analysis of several aspects of the learning process; and how to reflect on learning purposes, the context of application and participants' identities. The focus of systemic intervention is on processes for thinking through whose views and what issues and values should be considered pertinent in an analysis. Systemic intervention also advocates mixing methods from different traditions to address the purposes of multiple stakeholders. Consequently, a design for CSCL-MPS research is presented that includes several methods. This methodological design is used to analyse and reflect upon both a CSCL-MPS project with Colombian schools, and the identities of the participants in that project. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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| 2. |
- Laurenti, Rafael, et al.
(författare)
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Unintended environmental consequences of improvement actions : A qualitative analysis of systems' structure and behavior
- 2015
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We qualitatively analysed how and why environmental improvement actions often lead to unintended environmental consequences. Different theories are integrated to delineate the underlying system structure causing this system behavior. Causal loop diagram technique is utilized to explore and visualize: how incremental improvements in material and energy efficiency can unintendedly cause consumption to increase; how this consumption rebound effect is linked to generation of waste and pollution; and how this can give rise to social and negative externalities, economic inequalities and other broad unintended consequences in our society. Consumption and incremental innovation are found to be the highest leverage points and reinforcing factors driving unintended environmental consequences in this complex system. The paper in addition explores two potential modes of behaviour dissimilar to those of unintended environmental consequences. These emerging modes of behaviour are product-service systems and environmental policy instruments. Their combination forms a prominent transition pathway from a production-consumption-dispose economy to a so-called circular economy.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Mirijamdotter, Anita, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Making Local Knowledge Visible : The Case of the University for Business and Technology in Kosovo
- 2018
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 35:5, s. 588-597
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A vision to further national development through higher education now informs planning for the University for Business and Technology Knowledge Center. At its essence, the Center aims to make local knowledge visible through furthering discovery of and access to research content produced by academic students and university professors on institu- tional, local and international levels. This paper reports on conceptual exploration of this in- stitutional idea during spring semester 2017 in a graduate course on systems thinking and methodology. Using active learning pedagogy to improve local situations, an international teaching team facilitated student and stakeholder engagement in participatory design activ- ities using soft systems methodology tools and techniques. Course evaluation outcomes re- vealed students’ improved levels of knowledge and development of insights. In addition, their course work demonstrated their advanced understanding of systems thinking and its application. Furthermore, students expressed high motivation to learn more about other human-centred theories and participatory design tools. In considering the value of the University’s knowledge vision, they were especially enthusiastic about its implications for furthering national democratic development in Kosovo and regional economic growth in south-eastern Europe.
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| 5. |
- Rajagopalan, R., et al.
(författare)
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Knowing Differently in Systemic Intervention
- 2015
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : Wiley. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 32:5, s. 546-561
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper makes the case for extended ways of knowing in systemic intervention. It argues that the deployment of formal (even reflective) thinking and dialogue methods are inadequate, on their own, to the critical tasks of comprehending larger wholes and appreciating others' viewpoints. Theory and techniques need to go further and access other forms of knowing, held in experiential, practical or symbolic ways. This could offer a better basis to incorporate marginalized people and other phenomena that are affected by interventions but do not have a voice, such as ecosystems and future generations.
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| 6. |
- Schirmer, Werner, 1976-, et al.
(författare)
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Inclusion/Exclusion as the Missing Link. A Luhmannian Analysis of Loneliness Among Older People
- 2018
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 35:1, s. 76-89
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This article contributes to the interdisciplinary study of loneliness among older people with some insights based on Luhmann's systems theory. We argue that loneliness is a consequence of the way society includes/excludes people. In contrast to traditional societies, modern society forces people to act as individuals. In order to prevent loneliness, individuals themselves must search for membership in functionally diffuse collectivities (couple relations, friendships, communities). Luhmann's theory provides the framework to integrate the findings of empirical research. We claim that older people are more prone to loneliness for three reasons: first, after retirement they lose their performance role, which limits access to informal communities. Second, because they suffer from illness, impairment and a lack of resources more often than younger people, their access to functionally diffuse collectivities is impeded. Finally, because of structural and semantic changes in the family system, older people often find themselves at the margins of families.
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| 7. |
- Torres-Cuello, M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Developing a Systemic Program Evaluation Methodology : A Critical Systems Perspective
- 2018
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : John Wiley and Sons Ltd. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 35:5, s. 538-547
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, there has been an increased interest within the program evaluation field in the introduction of systems thinking concepts. However, most of these introductions have been primarily directed towards supporting the practice of evaluation and not towards making theoretical advancements. This article is focused on introducing systems thinking, and specifically perspectives and concepts from the work in critical systems thinking (CST), at a theoretical level in the program evaluation field, towards a reframing of Fourth Generation Evaluation methodology. The process for carrying out such a reframing is introduced, as well as a description of the major changes produced in the evaluation methodology from incorporating the CST perspective. A new model is proposed, and how this model may be beneficial for conducting an evaluation is discussed. Finally, recommendations are made for future developments.
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| 8. |
- Wu, Desheng Dash, et al.
(författare)
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Simulation Decision System on the Preparation of Emergency Resources Using System Dynamics
- 2015
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : Wiley. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 32:6, s. 603-615
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper establishes a simulation decision system for both emergency resource preparation and emergency resource replenishment. The decision system uses both system dynamics and goal programming. A system dynamics model is then developed and validated with real case data as simulation decision support to emergency resource replenishment. An optimization simulation using the data from the emergency resource preparation process in the Ya'an earthquake in China is reported.
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| 9. |
- Yearworth, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Contested Modelling : a Critical Examination of Expert Modelling in Sustainability
- 2016
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Ingår i: Systems research and behavioral science. - : Wiley. - 1092-7026 .- 1099-1743. ; 33:1, s. 45-63
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We discuss the role of expert modelling in sustainability using a framework designed to improve the effectiveness of the modelling process. Based on the development of a set of reflective questions that can be used at certain key stages in the lifecycle of projects developing such models, we discuss how using the framework would lead to improvements in the coupling of the process of expert modelling with the process of intervention, which is implied by the existence of the expert modelling project. This questioning pushes the development of a framework beyond considerations of ontology and epistemology into issues of axiology and praxis; extending the notion of contested modelling beyond the narrow scientific sense to a wider social setting. Our framework has been developed through a case study analysis of the effectiveness of four research initiatives that have used expert modelling to address the complexity of intervention in a sustainability context.
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| 10. |
- Kokfelt, U., et al.
(författare)
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Diatom blooms and associated vegetation shifts in a subarctic peatland : responses to distant volcanic eruptions?
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Quaternary Science. - : Wiley. - 0267-8179 .- 1099-1417. ; 31:7, s. 723-730
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We test the hypothesis that rich occurrences of diatoms observed at transitions between major peat units representing different vegetation communities in a peat sequence from subarctic northern Sweden reflect responses to acid deposition from the Samalas AD 1257 and Laki AD 1783/1784 eruptions. We observe sudden changes in the mire ecosystem and thereby in the trophic status and biogeochemical cycling of the peatland. Both the eruptions are known to have been associated with significant acid deposition events and climatic anomalies, as recorded in polar ice cores. To test the hypothesis, new chronological analyses and age modelling were applied to existing biogeochemical and biological records from the peat sequence. This approach yielded modelled age ranges of AD 1239-1284 (1s)/AD 1210-1303 (2s) (median: AD 1260) and AD 1674-1795 (1s)/AD 1665-1875 (2s) (median AD 1743), respectively, for the stratigraphic transitions. Hence, the modelled age ranges bracket the ages of the eruptions in question and the hypothesis could therefore not be rejected. Impacts of acid deposition from the eruptions are assumed to have caused instant acidification, vegetation damage, increased nutrient cycling and blooms of opportunistic epiphytic diatoms. In addition, cooling may have contributed to vegetation changes through permafrost inception, frost heave and thereby altered hydrological conditions.
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