System dynamics and cybernetics: a synergetic pair

System Dynamics and Cybernetics: A Necessary Synergy

In line with the conference theme – „Collegiality“ – the authors propose to build a bridge between two Systems Approaches, namely System Dynamics (SD) and Management Cybernetics (MC). This synthesis is aimed at opening a path for a better capability to deal with complex issues of actors in both organizations and society. With their respective strengths – modelling and simulation of content issu...

Participatory Design and Action Research: Identical Twins or Synergetic Pair?

In this paper we explore the similarities and differences of participatory design and action research in a crossdisciplinary fashion. We briefly outline two distinct studies: (1) a design study that examines mobile interactions of backpackers, and (2) an urban sociology study to better understand social networks of apartment residents. The first study follows a participatory design approach. Th...

Bifurcation analysis and dynamics of a Lorenz –type dynamical system 

./files/site1/files/0Abstract1.pdfIn this paper we consider a continues Lorenz – type dynamical system. Dynamical behaviors of this system such as computing equilibrium points, different bifurcation curves and computation of normal form coefficient of each bifurcation point analytically and numerically. In particular we derived sufficient conditions for existence of Hopf and Pitchfork bifurcati...

Cybernetics, e-learning and the education system

This paper is based on the author’s inaugural lecture, delivered on 22 May 2003. The paper is dedicated to the memory of two recently deceased thinkers: Ivan Illich and Stafford Beer. The paper first gives an overview of the contribution they made to illuminating the nature of institutions and their organizational structure, in particular, the education system. Learning technologies challenge a...

Cybernetics: Cybernetics and the Theory of Knowledge