Gerald Steiner

The real type and ideal type of transdisciplinary processes: part I—theoretical foundations

Abstract Transdisciplinarity integrates or relates different epistemics from science and practice (Mode 2 transdisciplinarity) or from branches of disciplines if interdisciplinary integration is impossible (Mode 1 transdisciplinarity). The paper explains, based on an analysis of the historical development of the Mode 2 transdisciplinarity concept, how transdisciplinary processes link interdisciplinary applied research and multi-stakeholder discourses by facilitating methods. We elaborate on what type of problems may be managed using what knowledge, how this might be accomplished, what types of objectives are desired, and by what organizational means. Thus the paper presents ontology, epistemology, methodology, functionality, and organization of an ideal type of transdisciplinary process. Socially robust orientations are the expected outcomes of this process. These orientations provide science-based, state-of-the-art, socially accepted options of solutions which acknowledge uncertainties and the incompleteness of different forms of epistemics (i.e., of knowing or thought), in particular within the sustainable transitioning of complex real-world problems.

Integrating research and teaching on innovation for sustainable development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to point out the necessity of implementing more appropriate approaches instead of the traditional single disciplinary approaches, in order to be able to cope with the ill‐defined, highly complex problem of sustainable development in systems such as organizations or regions.Design/methodology/approach – Based on empirical data concerning expert and stakeholder preferences, it is argued that research and teaching on innovation for sustainability need to be both inter‐ and transdisciplinary.Findings – Here, the approach of transdisciplinary case studies, developed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, allows appropriate integration of research and teaching activities and thus leads to mutual learning between the case study actors.Practical implications – In the second part of the paper, these conceptual considerations are illustrated with the so‐called Erzherzog Johann case study, an integrative research and teaching project at the University of ...

The real type and ideal type of transdisciplinary processes: part II—what constraints and obstacles do we meet in practice?

This paper builds on the theoretical foundation outlined in Part I (‘The real type and ideal type of transdisciplinary processes: part I—theoretical foundations’) which is included in the same special feature. Mode 2 transdisciplinarity processes are characterized as processes that relate or integrate problem-oriented interdisciplinary research with knowledge generated in a multi-stakeholder approach with the objective to develop socially robust orientations, for instance, on sustainable transitioning. In practice, transdisciplinary processes may have different functions (i.e., societal capacity building, consensus building, analytic mediation, and legitimization). Practitioners and scientists may follow different interests. And we may distinguish between different types of knowledge integration (including different perspectives, modes of thoughts or cultures). Thus, the reality of transdisciplinarity processes may become a very complex and ambitious venture whose multiple objectives are difficult to realize in practice. This paper reviews the existing challenges, obstacles, and constraints of transdisciplinary processes. This review refers to 41 mid- and large-scale transdisciplinary studies run by members of the ITdNet at seven universities on sustainable transitions of urban and regional systems, organizations, and policy processes. A comprehensive table can be used as a checklist for identifying and coping with constraints and obstacles of transdisciplinary processes in practice. The discussion identifies the main challenges for the future development of transdisciplinarity’s theory and practice, including linking Mode 1 transdisciplinarity (i.e., the relating of disciplinary causation for which no interdisciplinarity is possible by merging concepts and methods) and Mode 2 transdisciplinarity, which targets sustainable knowledge and action for system transitioning.

Transdisciplinarity at the crossroads

Twentieth century science has seen an increasingly rapid development of the differentiation of science at large by building new disciplines and specialized or interdisciplinary sub-disciplines; this has been labeled fractalization and chaos of disciplines (Abbott 2001). This increasing fragmentation of the body of sciences, with different types of qualitative and quantitative methods, forms, and norms of validation such as deductive and inductive reasoning, probabilistic and deterministic models, or even different forms of reasoning (for instance, in mathematics certain schools do not consider an indirect proof as valid or acceptable; Gonzalez 1991) call for integrating meta-levels from an inner-science perspective (Godel 1931). The construction of proper meta-levels of reflection, validation, and integration may play an important role in the future development of sciences. Science has long subscribed to a Humboldtian or Newtonian world view that has been strongly shaped by a physical rationale and was lacking an integrating, coherent system of knowledge for the investigation of human– environment interactions. Understanding of the unity of nature was perceived as the ultimate reference (von Weizsacker 1980/1971; Wilson 1999). Consilience and consistency of reasoning (Bunge 1967a, b) and a strong belief in rationality (Carnap 1991; Oppenheim and Putnam 1958) were dominant. In addition, attempts at the integration of knowledge, such as the search for a general system theory (von Bertalanffy 1951), were shaped by the thinking of natural science for a long time. The search for a unifying level or entity, or a framing of the meta-level (Godel 1931) or total transdisciplinarity, can be considered Mode 1 transdisciplinarity (Piaget 1972), which sometimes leads to the assumption of spirituality and the idea of transcendence (Nicolescu 2014). However, the challenge of integration and consistency and dealing with a complexity of systems and integrated reasoning can also be approached from a realist stance (Bunge 2003; Klein 2003; Mitchell 2003; Scholz 2011). Today, the scientific challenge has become even more complex. In the age of the Anthropocene (Crutzen 2002), instead of a ‘‘unity of nature’’ we are looking at the ‘‘resilience of inextricably coupled human–environment systems’’ (Scholz 2011) and their ontology, dynamics, and governance as a basis of sustainability science (Kates 2012). This is precisely where transdisciplinarity of the Mode 2 type (Scholz and Steiner 2015a; Gibbons et al. 1994) and the turn From a science for society to a science with society (Scholz and Stauffacher 2009; Seidl et al. 2013) serve to overcome the reductionist view of science. Transdisciplinarity requires theory and practice. Much has been written about how transdisciplinarity is conceived. However, as we discovered over the course of preparing this special feature, very few scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals document the social and scientific outcomes and benefits of transdisciplinary processes. When & Roland W. Scholz roland.scholz@igb-extern.fraunhofer.de

A tuning transformer for the automatic adjustment of resonant loop antennas in RFID systems

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems allow contactless communication between a small portable tag and a reader device. In this paper, we address the problem of performance degradations due to the detuning of resonant reader antennas in the widely used 13.56 MHz frequency band. A novel design of a tuning transformer for the adjustment of the center frequency of resonant loop antennas is proposed. The ferrite core of the transformer is premagnetized using an additional DC winding. The HF and DC windings are decoupled by an iron core. Besides the tuning, the transformer may also be used for impedance matching and for balancing an unbalanced signal. The function of the device was proven by network measurements. Key Words: Loop antenna, resonance tuning, RFID, tunable inductance.

Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Graz‐Styria: A process of mobilization facing regional challenges

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present how the Regional Centres of Expertise (RCE) Graz‐Styria as well as RCEs as instruments can contribute to regional development. The RCE Graz‐Styria is representing a case study of Central European RCEs.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes the development process of RCE Graz‐Styria. Regional challenges to strengthen sustainable regional development have been investigated by literature review and interviews with regional actors.Findings – The paper discusses challenges of establishing an RCE and describes how an RCE can face regional and global challenges by innovative actions.Practical implications – The paper provides an insight of the establishment of the RCE Graz‐Styria. Readers who would like to establish an RCE in their own region can learn from the process of RCE Graz‐Styria. The reader has to take into account that the regional challenges might be different, and thus the RCE Graz‐Styria is a role model regarding its management structure f...

Trade and Finance as Cross-Cutting Issues in the Global Phosphate and Fertilizer Market

This chapter provides an overview of trade and finance issues in the global phosphate and fertilizer market. First, we analyze global trade dynamics affecting fertilizers and their raw materials. Secondly, we present factors that influence fertilizer prices. Based on these analyses, we infer that prices for raw materials, energy and transport costs, supply and demand, subsidies, trade and finance, the supply chain, regional influences, the food price, and fertilizer substitutes all influence fertilizer prices. Our analyses also show that, since 2007, the volatility of commodities significantly increased and strongly affected fertilizer purchases for crop production. Finally, we propose case studies to analyze challenges and opportunities related to phosphate and fertilizer markets and their sustainability implications.

Influence of the discretization error on the reconstruction accuracy in electrical capacitance tomography

Purpose – The investigation of the influence of the modeling error on the solution of the inverse problem given uncertain measured data in electrical capacitance tomography (ECT).Design/methodology/approach – The solution of the nonlinear inverse problem in ECT and hence, the obtainable accuracy of the reconstruction result, highly depends on the numerical modeling of the forward map and on the required regularization. The inherent discretization error propagates through the forward map, the solution of the inverse problem, the subsequent calculation of process parameters and properties and may lead to a substantial estimation error. Within this work different finite element meshes are compared in terms of obtainable reconstruction accuracy. In order to characterize the reconstruction results, two error measures are introduced, a relative integral error and the relative error in material fraction. In addition, the influence of the measurement noise given different meshes is investigated from the statistic...

Optimal Design of Multiparameter Multisensor Systems

This paper addresses the optimal design of multiparameter multisensor systems with suboptimal estimators. For error propagation, the approach makes use of the so-called unscented transformation, which is an efficient way to determine the mean and variance of random distributions that undergo nonlinear transformations. It is demonstrated that a performance improvement can be achieved compared to the designs based on the Fisher information.

From probabilistic functionalism to a mental simulation of innovation: by collaboration from vulnerabilities to resilient societal systems

In this commentary, I build on the Theory of Probabilistic Functionalism by perceptual psychologist Egon Brunswik (1903–55) and Scholz’s deepened analysis regarding the implications of this theory for sustainable transition processes by extending these thoughts toward (1) the mental process of simulation of innovation; (2) innovation as a crucial intervention for attaining societal resilience and, hence, an important driver within sustainable transition; and (3) joint representations and collaborative processes for the generation of innovation. By applying the Theory of Probabilistic Functionalism on innovation systems, innovation (as probabilistic entity) is viewed as the object; the agents who initiate or generate the innovation (i.e., entrepreneurs, inventors, innovators, and eventually sustainability planning groups) and the stakeholders who are concerned by the innovation are viewed as the organisms; and the broader innovation system is viewed as the environment. This view aims to provide additional understanding of the complexity and planning of innovation and how it affects and, simultaneously, is affected by society and its environment.