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1 – 10 of over 4000
Article
Publication date: 17 October 2008

Jinlin Huang, Zhangming Li and Guihe Tang

Catastrophe theory can directly deal with discontinuity without any connection with the special inner mechanism, which makes it suitable for system research, whose inner action is…

424

Abstract

Purpose

Catastrophe theory can directly deal with discontinuity without any connection with the special inner mechanism, which makes it suitable for system research, whose inner action is unknown but outer one can be observed. There are many inner factors, which affect the bearing capacity of pile, it is different to ascertain bearing capacity of pile. The purpose of this paper is to present a new calculation method of bearing capacity of pile by the catastrophe theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The cusp model of catastrophe theory and its expression are discussed in this paper. By means of mechanical model analysis, bearing capacity of pile is systematically studied coupling catastrophe steady mechanism with equilibrium conditions of single pile. The settlement of top pile is transformed into the normal form of cusp catastrophe. The relationship between the settlement of top pile and vertical bearing capability of pile is built.

Findings

Vertical bearing capacity of single pile was deduced by means of energy principle and catastrophe theory based on settlement of critical instability of pile.

Research limitations/implications

Accessibility and availability of the constitutive equation of concrete of pile and parameter are the main limitations which model will be applied.

Practical implications

A very useful reference for design processes engineers.

Originality/value

The estimated results of the example correspond to one of practical experience, which provides a basis for design of vertical bearing capacity of single pile.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 37 no. 9/10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Open Access
Article
Publication date: 16 October 2017

Hao Zhang, Bin Qiu and Keming Zhang

The purpose of this paper is to develop a quantitative risk assessment method for agricultural products cold chain logistics to assess the condition of the fresh agricultural…

8387

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a quantitative risk assessment method for agricultural products cold chain logistics to assess the condition of the fresh agricultural products cold chain process objectively and accurately.

Design/methodology/approach

A risk assessment index system of agricultural products cold chain logistics is designed on the basis of the risk identification for the process of agricultural products cold chain logistics. This paper first uses catastrophe progression method and a new maximum deviation method to build an improved catastrophe progression assessment model for agricultural products cold chain logistics. In order to verify the reliability and validity of the model, two representative enterprises are selected as the case in the study.

Findings

The results in the empirical research indicate strong support for the assessment model and coincide with the reality. The risk assessment index system can also reflect the key risk factors from agricultural products cold chain logistics scientifically. In addition, the improved catastrophe progression assessment method proposed in this paper can be scientific and reasonable to predict risk.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to provide a new risk assessment model for agricultural products cold chain logistics. The new model overcomes the limitation of subjective empowerment and it increases the objectivity and scientificity in the process of cold chain logistics risk assessment. This paper also shows that practitioners involved in the field of products cold chain logistics can manage the potential risk by a set of scientific methods for assessing the risk before the accident.

Practical implications

The paper provides a practical guideline to practitioners, especially for cold chain logistics managers, relevant management departments, and cold chain logistics management consultants. It is proved that the new risk assessment method and the risk assessment index system of agricultural products cold chain logistics can help them assess the risk scientifically and reasonably.

Originality/value

Although the calculation is simple, the new model can overcome the limitation of subjective empowerment scientifically and reasonably, and thus has important practical value.

Details

Industrial Management & Data Systems, vol. 117 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-5577

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 January 2024

Rolando Gonzales Martinez

The purpose of this study is to propose a methodological approach for modeling catastrophic consequences caused by black swan events, based on complexity science, and framed on…

94

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to propose a methodological approach for modeling catastrophic consequences caused by black swan events, based on complexity science, and framed on Feyerabend’s anarchistic theory of knowledge. An empirical application is presented to illustrate the proposed approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Thom’s nonlinear differential equations of morphogenesis are used to develop a theoretical model of the impact of catastrophes on international business (IB). The model is then estimated using real-world data on the performance of multinational airlines during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Findings

The catastrophe model exhibits a remarkable capability to simultaneously capture complex linear and nonlinear relationships. Through empirical estimations and simulations, this approach enables the analysis of IB phenomena under normal conditions, as well as during black swan events.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first attempt to estimate the impact of black swan events in IB using a catastrophe model grounded in complexity theory. The proposed model successfully integrates the abrupt and profound effects of catastrophes on multinational corporations, offering a critical perspective on the theoretical and practical use of complexity science in IB.

Details

Critical Perspectives on International Business, vol. 20 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1742-2043

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2012

Xi Chen and Shuming Zhao

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the evaluation model of the enterprises' technological innovation system, based on the theory of complex adaptive system.

1197

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on the evaluation model of the enterprises' technological innovation system, based on the theory of complex adaptive system.

Design/methodology/approach

Combined with the status quo and recent studies of Chinese enterprises' technological innovation, the paper discusses the complex‐system features of the technological innovation. The stimulus‐response model is used to establish the two‐level framework for enterprises' technological innovation system. By means of the adaptive fitness function, the economic and social utility of enterprises' technological innovation is measured from two dimensions. Finally, the fuzzy catastrophe model is introduced to evaluate the enterprises' technological innovation.

Findings

The enterprises' technological innovation system has attributions of the subject aggregation, the systematic openness, nonlinearity and diversity. Thus, the macro‐micro based technological innovation system from the perspective of complex adaptive system is proposed. The system utility is considered based on the system subjects and system structure, and the calculation framework of the adaptive fitness for the whole system is obtained by considering the emergent property describing the system scale effect and structure effect. In fact, the fuzzy theory can well reflect the influential situation that the interactions between different factors may cause the mutation of the higher level and the interactions between enterprises can lead to the shifts of the system.

Originality/value

The paper proposes the complex adaptive system for the enterprises' technological innovation based on the special macro environment in China. A new framework for the research of technological innovation is provided by analyzing the system inner model. Fuzzy catastrophe model can reduce the evaluation irrationality due to the subjective index weights.

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1994

Hung Chan and Herbert Jensen

Recent rapid economic developments in East Asia are evidenced by the establishment of many new factories and enterprises in the region. New production facilities almost always go…

Abstract

Recent rapid economic developments in East Asia are evidenced by the establishment of many new factories and enterprises in the region. New production facilities almost always go through a period of “learning” in their production activities. Therefore, the study of learning curve effects in production cost projections is especially important for enterprises in this region that have experienced tremendous business and operational growth. This paper proposes a new way to model the learning curve effects that has not previously been discussed in cost accounting literature.

Details

Asian Review of Accounting, vol. 2 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1321-7348

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1994

Patricia Karathanos, M. Diane Pettypool and Marvin D. Troutt

Employees communicate more easily and are more committed to theorganization when beliefs and values are shared. Explores the phenomenonof sudden “lost meaning” – a situation in…

1254

Abstract

Employees communicate more easily and are more committed to the organization when beliefs and values are shared. Explores the phenomenon of sudden “lost meaning” – a situation in which individuals who strongly share the organization′s culture appear suddenly to cease to identify with the meanings and values to which they once strongly ascribed. Discovers two variables through examination of motivation theory. Proposes that these variables provide insight into sudden lost meaning and, consequently, suggest a framework for managerial behaviour.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 32 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 March 2011

Wu Xuemou

The purpose of this paper is to state new formulation of the programme‐styled framework of pansystems research and related expansions.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to state new formulation of the programme‐styled framework of pansystems research and related expansions.

Design/methodology/approach

Pansystems‐generalized extremum principle (0**: (dy/dx=0)**) is presented with recognitions to various logoi of philosophy, mathematics, technology, systems, cybernetics, informatics, relativity, biology, society, resource, communications and related topics: logic, history, humanities, aesthetics, journalism, IT, AI, TGBZ* <truth*goodness*beauty*Zen*>, etc. including recent rediscoveries of 50 or so pansystems logoi.

Findings

A keynote of the paper is to develop the deep logoi of the analytic mathematics, analytic mechanics, variational principles, Hilbert's sixth/23rd problems, pan‐axiomatization to encyclopedic principles and various applications. The 0**‐universal connections embody the transfield internet‐styled academic tendency of pansystems exploration.

Originality/value

The paper includes topics: history megawave, pansystems sublation‐modes, pan‐metaphysics, pansystems dialogs with logoi of 100 thinkers or so, and pansystems‐sublation for a series of logoi concerning the substructure of encyclopedic dialogs such as systems, derivative, extremum, quantification, variational principle, equation, symmetry, OR, optimization, approximation, yinyang, combination, normality‐abnormality, framework, modeling, simulation, relativity, recognition, practice, methodology, mathematics, operations and transformations, quotientization, product, clustering, Banach completeness theorem, Weierstrass approximation theorem, Jackson approximation theorem, Taylor theorem, approximation transformation theorems due to Walsh‐Sewell mathematical school, Hilbert problems, Cauchy theorem, theorems of equation stability, function theory, logic, paradox, axiomatization, cybernetics, dialectics, multistep decision, computer, synergy, vitality and the basic logoi for history, ethics, economics, society OR, aesthetics, journalism, institution, resource and traffics, AI, IT, etc.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 40 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

Felix Geyer

Summarizes some of the important concepts and developments in cybernetics and general systems theory, especially during the last two decades. Shows how they can indeed be a…

Abstract

Summarizes some of the important concepts and developments in cybernetics and general systems theory, especially during the last two decades. Shows how they can indeed be a challenge to sociological thinking. Cybernetics is used here as an umbrella term for a great variety of related disciplines: general systems theory, information theory, system dynamics, dynamic systems theory, including catastrophe theory, chaos theory. Also considers the emerging “science of complexity”, which includes neural networks, artificial intelligence and artificial life, and discusses the methodological drawbacks of second‐order cybernetics.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 24 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 1998

Soucheng OuYang, Yong Wu, Yi Lin and Chao Li

The discontinuity problem of general non‐linear evolutionary equations and the chaos of complex models of poly‐order are studied. The concept of “blown‐up” of Navier‐Stokes…

Abstract

The discontinuity problem of general non‐linear evolutionary equations and the chaos of complex models of poly‐order are studied. The concept of “blown‐up” of Navier‐Stokes equation is discussed, which was introduced by OuYang in 1994 and 1995. The results show that the blown‐up of the model appears during the whole evolution of general non‐linear equations; and that the concept of “chaos” of Lorenz’s model should be restudied questioningly.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 27 no. 6/7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

Bill Richardson and John Thompson

Examines the organization as a system of interrelated competences.Argues that strategic development, rather than following on the makingof product‐market choices, might be better…

1404

Abstract

Examines the organization as a system of interrelated competences. Argues that strategic development, rather than following on the making of product‐market choices, might be better achieved through the measuring, improving and monitoring of a range of critical competences.

Details

Leadership & Organization Development Journal, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7739

Keywords

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