Chapter 7 Change, multiple-entity systems and complexity

Abstract

I am interested in a set X of entities and refer to this as a multiple-entity system unless the set contains just a single entity. Each entity can be characterised either by a single attribute or by many attributes. In general, then we have a system of n entities with m attributes, giving nm attributes in all. A model of a system usually focuses on the variables associated with the attributes. So a model for a unitary entity with nm attributes, a model for a system of nm entities each with just one attribute and a model for a system of n entities with m attributes may be all formally identical with one another.

Citation

Burt, G. (2010), "Chapter 7 Change, multiple-entity systems and complexity", Burt, G. (Ed.) Conflict, Complexity and Mathematical Social Science (Contributions to Conflict Management, Peace Economics and Development, Vol. 15), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 107-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1572-8323(2010)0000015010