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Provides an overview of major developments pertaining to generalized information theory during the lifetime of Kybernetes. Generalized information theory is viewed as a collection of concepts, theorems, principles, and methods for dealing with problems involving uncertainty‐based information that are beyond the narrow scope of classical information theory. Introduces well‐justified measures of uncertainty in fuzzy set theory, possibility theory, and Dempster‐Shafer theory. Shows how these measures are connected with the classical Hartley measure and Shannon entropy. Discusses basic issues regarding some principles of generalized uncertainty‐based information.

The goal of this paper is to analyze the views of Frank Knight and Ludwig von Mises on the topic of uncertainty and how it influences the theory of individual decision-making and to trace out the implications of the same for the theories of entrepreneurship, equilibrium, and the firm. The paper adopts a historical approach in its analysis of the theory of uncertainty, with an extended discussion of the primary writings of Knight and Mises on this topic. It then uses the insights gleaned from this discussion in order to address issues and topics that have found a prominent place in the modern literature on entrepreneurship, equilibrium, and the firm that draws its inspiration from the Austrian School. The paper offers three main findings: in the realm of entrepreneurship it argues that there can be no theory of the entrepreneur without the concept of uncertainty provided by Knight and Mises, whereas with regard to the theory of equilibrium it focuses on highlighting the concept of an equilibrium with error prevalent in the Austrian tradition and on the implications that an explicit introduction of uncertainty has for the existence of a process of equilibration that pushes the economy toward a state of general equilibrium in real time. As regards the theory of the firm we find that a proper understanding of uncertainty ultimately reverses the direction of any causal explanation of economic organization, making the firm an outcome of dealing with uncertainty rather than a means to do so.

We provide a comprehensive synthesis and extension of the real option (RO) literature on joint ventures (JVs), contributing in three main areas. First, we examine major alternative theoretical perspectives on JVs – learning, bargaining, transaction cost and agency theory – to elaborate how they complement or contradict RO predictions. Second, we compare arguments and variables used to explain different JV stages – initial RO explicitness and equity shares, JV stability, and performance consequences – and highlight research opportunities. Third, we discuss and extend research about behavioral aspects of making RO (JV) investments. Overall, we offer new predictions and suggestions for a better integration within the RO literature, and between RO and related literatures on JVs.

The application of real options theory to international strategy has surged in recent years. However, it is still a relatively new and loosely defined field, and there are several constraints on practical applications of this powerful theory. To move forward this field, the paper first provides a systematic analysis of theoretical and empirical contributions of real options theory to three critical issues in international strategy: (1) valuing multinational networks, (2) assessing market entry modes, and (3) evaluating market entry timing. The paper further suggests that future studies can focus on a refined treatment of uncertainty and the development of a dynamic theory in international strategy. Five testable propositions are developed in these directions.

It is well known that the only way of making complexity in inductive (data‐driven) systems modelling manageable is to be tolerant of predictive (or retrodictive) uncertainty in the resulting models. It is argued that two complementary principles — the principles of maximum and minimum uncertainty — are essential to using uncertainty properly to combat complexity. When uncertainty is conceptualised in terms of probability theory, these principles become the well‐established principles of maximum and minimum entropy. When a more general framework of fuzzy measures is employed, uncertainty becomes a multi‐dimensional entity and the maximum and minimum uncertainty principles lead to optimisation problems with multiple objective criteria. Four distinct types of uncertainty are now recognised and their well‐justified measures determined within fuzzy set theory and one subset of fuzzy measures — the Dempster‐Shafer theory of evidence. The uncertainty types and their measures are briefly described.

Uncertainty-identity theory serves as our guiding theoretical framework to explore subjective uncertainty, especially uncertainty about self and identity, and the ways in which communication within groups provides valuable social identity information to group members as a means to manage subjective uncertainty.

We review and synthesize research in communication science and social identity theory, specifically uncertainty-identity theory, to compare diverse understandings of uncertainty and the identity-shaping function of communication within groups.

Uncertainty inherent in dyadic interactions has received extensive attention in communication science. However, the identity-defining function of communication that flows within and between groups as a means to resolving uncertainty about subjectively important matters has received little attention in both social psychology and communication science.

We explore how communication that flows from in-group sources (e.g., leaders) serves to shape a shared reality and identity for group members while providing a framework for self-definition. We propose an agenda for future research that would benefit from an articulation of the importance of communication in the shaping and management of identity-uncertainty.

Uncertainty arousing rhetoric by influential in-group sources, such as leaders and the media can have serious implications for intergroup relations, as uncertain individuals seek distinctive and tight-knit groups and autocratic leaders under conditions of heightened uncertainty. The role that communication plays in shaping clear and distinct identities as a panacea for identity-uncertainty has implications for the intragroup normative structure of the group and for intergroup relations.

The purpose of this paper is to clarify a number of important facts about info‐gap decision theory.

Theorems are put forward to rebut claims made about info‐gap decision theory in papers published in this journal and elsewhere.

Info‐gap's robustness model is a simple instance of the most famous model in classical decision theory for the treatment of decision problems subject to severe uncertainty, namely Wald's maximin model. This simple instance is the equivalent of the well‐established model known universally as radius of stability. Info‐gap's robustness model has an inherent local orientation. Therefore, it is in principle unable to address the fundamental difficulties presented by the type of severe uncertainty that is postulated by info‐gap decision theory.

These findings caution against accepting the assertions made in the info‐gap literature about: info‐gap decision theory's role and place in decision making under severe uncertainty; and its ability to model, analyze, and manage severe uncertainty.

This paper exposes the serious difficulties with claims made in papers published in this journal and elsewhere regarding the place and role of info‐gap decision theory in decision theory and its ability to handle severe uncertainty.

Aiming at the problems of poor accuracy and limitation in strength assessment of spot welding vehicle body caused by uncertain factors, such as key component size and nugget diameter, the numerical models of strength uncertainty analysis of spot-welded joints were constructed based on evidence theory and fuzzy theory.

Evidence theory and fuzzy theory are used to deal with the uncertainty of design parameter, and differential evolution algorithms are used to calculate the propagation process of uncertainty in this model. Furthermore, efficient relationship between the strength of welded joints and each design parameter is constructed by using response surface proxy model, which effectively avoids the problem of repeated complex finite element analysis in uncertainty analysis.

The results show that the constructed uncertainty numerical model is effective for the multiple uncertainties and give interval results under different probabilities and affiliations, which can more effectively evaluate the strength of the welded body structure to avoid overly conservative estimates for deterministic design.

The evidence theory is improved and combined with differential evolution algorithm and response surface method to effectively improve the computational efficiency. Based on the improved evidence theory and fuzzy algorithm, the numerical models for the uncertainty analysis of solder joint strength of welded structures are constructed and their feasibility is verified.

This paper aims to point to established theory bases from other disciplines that may be used to illustrate the benefits, complexities and risks accompanying the adoption of radio‐frequency identification (RFID) technology.

Three theory streams are explored with respect to RFID adoption at two levels: the level of the tagged unit; and the level of the adopting firm. Each theory stream is evaluated specifically with respect to RFID, and research questions are proposed.

A variety of theoretical disciplines bring to light tension between uncertainty that spurs RFID adoption and uncertainty that accompanies RFID adoption.

Insights are provided for managers wrestling with: the question of whether and/or how to adopt RFID; or concerns regarding the implications of their decision to adopt RFID. In addition, the theory bases explored in this research offer guidance regarding risks that accompany RFID adoption but are not commonly considered.

For those contemplating adoption of, or research into, RFID technology, the paper offers a detailed synthesis of valuable theory streams, as well as promising research questions.

This paper aims to develop a comprehensive uncertainty quantification method using evidence theory for Park–Ang damage index-based performance design in which epistemic uncertainties are considered. Various sources of uncertainty emanating from the database of the cyclic test results of RC members provided by the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research Center are taken into account.

In this paper, an uncertainty quantification methodology based on evidence theory is presented for the whole process of performance-based seismic design (PBSD), while considering uncertainty in the Park–Ang damage model. To alleviate the burden of high computational cost in propagating uncertainty, the differential evolution interval optimization strategy is used for efficiently finding the propagated belief structure throughout the whole design process.

The investigation results of this paper demonstrate that the uncertainty rooted in Park–Ang damage model have a significant influence on PBSD design and evaluation. It might be worth noting that the epistemic uncertainty present in the Park–Ang damage model needs to be considered to avoid underestimating the true uncertainty.

This paper presents an evidence theory-based uncertainty quantification framework for the whole process of PBSD.