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After the postwar years, the realisation that parts of the world, real, imaginary or abstract, can be seen as “related properties or objects”, the systemic view, has resulted in an immense production of, by and large, speculative intellectual output. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how following the methodology of conventional science, the systemic view can be turned into systems science.

Basic notions which transcend discipline boundaries are put forward. Natural language is used as the primary model for description of human activity and other scenarios leading to its processing into homogeneous language of one‐ and two‐place declarative sentences, the minimal elements which still reflect the systemic view. These sentences are called “ordered pairs” in static state and “dynamic sentences” in dynamic state. Complex models are developed: as sets of ordered pairs from which meaningful objects and “products” can be deduced (static linguistic modelling) leading to hierarchical structures; and as sequences of predicate logic statements which propagate changes of states towards final states (dynamic linguistic modelling).

Static and dynamic linguistic modelling is used together when products are expressed as sets and in design of products and systems. Linguistic networks, semantic diagrams and an information theory which is an integral part of the dynamics of change, are introduced.

The limitations of application of a formal method to scenarios with human components with “will” need to be debated.

Once software is developed, a comprehensive method for analysis and design of scenarios is available.

Homogeneous language exhibiting the structure and semantics of products and systems based on recognition of empirical and linguistic invariants and carrying uncertainty and mathematics, is put forward.

This chapter reflects the findings of a qualitative study of supplementary education in Western Australia, showing a commitment to understanding the broader social context of the individuals receiving educational assistance beyond their normal classroom activities.

The chapter is based on 10 semi-structured interviews conducted with university students who had utilised supplementary education services of a tutor made available through their schools and a variety of secondary sources.

The study also reveals that student access to university is not necessarily enhanced by private tutoring. It uncovers an under-researched component of the overall educational process in pointing to some of the emotional dimensions of the supplementary education industry. While tutoring did not appear to harm the chances of students making it to university, the beneficial effects of tutoring are not as clear-cut as some suggest they are. Overall the research suggests that, emotional support effects notwithstanding, perhaps we should not worry overly much about the inequalities brought by private tutoring as, yet again, the market shows itself to less efficient than some hope it to be and that others might fear it is.

Market-based supplementary education remains massively under-researched in Australia. While qualitative research is unable to address the effects of educational interventions definitively, the study adds important layers of complexity to questions about educational effectiveness and inequality. It helps validate concerns about social and economic inequalities; it also mollifies these concerns, partially because some of the programmes described here aim at addressing some basic inequalities, particularly those related to rural and remote education.

Fifty managers from five highly innovative medium‐sized enterprises were interviewed in depth about their experience of innovation. In order to deepen and enrich our understanding of these experiences, respondents were asked to reconstruct their insights in narrative form. Following a careful analysis of the transcripts, it was found that three interlocking themes recurred in each of the cases. First, each of the firms had creatively configured their customer relationships in order to secure long‐term resourcing in both financial and knowledge terms. Secondly, they saw innovation as part of their long‐term organisational evolution. Thirdly, they gave priority to human resource development issues, and they viewed this stance as necessary in order to underpin the other two elements.

The paper aims to stimulate debate among researchers and practitioners on the use of narrative methodology as a constructive means of inquiry in developing the understanding and the practice of entrepreneurship. It argues that narrative interpretation is a valid method in researching the human learning and cultural development of entrepreneurship. Drawing on the author’s fieldwork in researching entrepreneurial learning through life stories, it demonstrates the rich insights which can be gained from discursive life story research. A conceptual model of the significant themes in entrepreneurial learning is proposed for further development and application in education and research. The paper proposes that the “living theory” of entrepreneurship is a cultural, discursive resource which may be discovered and interpreted through the narrative medium.

AFTER‐CONFERENCE time is the period of reflection, and this year one involving several interests. There was uttered on the platform a warning that the question of the government control of public libraries was in the air; and Mr. Jast rigidly deprecated the discussion of the matter as a bye‐product of another subject then being debated. Library authorities and librarians, however, are asking for a lead from the Library Association, the only body competent or authorized to give it, and no doubt this will form the cardinal “policy” question of the winter.

ON December 6th Mr. Salter Davies was installed President of the Library Association at Chaucer House in succession to Mr. S. A. Pitt. A word first should be said about the Presidency of Mr. Pitt. It has been carried on under handicaps that would have deterred most men in such a post. A severe illness, successfully encountered and gallantly overcome, has been the main personal feature for Mr. Pitt of what should have been the most distinguisned year of a quite eminent library career. We had looked forward to very active work from him during his Presidency, and so far as circumstances permitted, he fulfilled all the obligations laid upon him completely. We can thank him more warmly, if not more sincerely, than perhaps would ordinarily be the case, because of the difficulties he has victoriously surmounted. With newly established health, we wish for him a continuance of the great work he has done for librarianship not only in Glasgow but in the Library Association and in the world of libraries generally.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of John McManus.

John provides a short life history and is then interviewed by Jerome.

John tells us about the insidious development of his illness and how for many years it was masked by substance abuse.

As Patricia Deegan has stated, “Each person’s journey of recovery is unique” (Deegan, 1996). That is why we can learn so much from case studies like John’s.

John’s account shows the value of Early Intervention Teams. The service he received from his local team was “second to none”.

John talks about the value of volunteering and how it helped him believe that he could once more play a constructive role in life.

There is no doubt that John benefitted from support from professionals, experts by experience and his family. Equally he was also open to all these sources of support.

Aarhus Kommunes Biblioteker (Teknisk Bibliotek), Ingerslevs Plads 7, Aarhus, Denmark. Representative: V. NEDERGAARD PEDERSEN (Librarian).

This paper aims to explore not only the greatness of Patterson but also some of the mistakes he made along the way.

The study traces the career of John Patterson, founder and president of the National Cash Register (NCR) from 1884 to 1922. Data from many different sources, some only recently available through the HathiTrust Digital Library, are analyzed to provide a systematic and focused examination of Patterson’s greatness, as well as some errors in judgment he during his lengthy leadership at NCR.

John Patterson recognized the potential development of a new global industry before it existed and went to work creating it. After he bought the original patents for the cash register, he spent huge sums on research and development and secured hundreds of additional patents on the device. He also spent a fortune on educational advertising to create market demand where none previously existed and invested heavily in developing his salesforce through a strong focus on training, professionalism and high commissions. He also engaged in many unsavory sales practices to try to keep others from encroaching on what he considered his exclusive right to the cash register market. At one point, he was convicted in a criminal proceeding for those efforts and sentenced to prison.

This is the first paper to provide a balanced review of Patterson’s contributions to the business history of that era from a sales and marketing perspective. The paper may be of interest to marketing scholars and practitioners, as well as business historians.