Peter Fleissner

Combining agent-based and stock-flow modelling approaches in a participative analysis of the integrated land system in Reichraming, Austria

The integrated modelling of coupled socio-ecological systems in land-change science requires innovative model concepts capable of grasping the interrelations between socioeconomic and natural components. Here, we discuss the integrated socio-ecological model SERD (Simulation of Ecological Compatibility of Regional Development) that was developed for the municipality of Reichraming in Upper Austria in a participative 2-year process involving local stakeholders. SERD includes three main components: (1) an agent-based actors module that simulates decisions of farmsteads, the municipal administration and other important actors; (2) a spatially explicit (GIS based) land-use module that simulates land-use change at the level of individual parcels of land and (3) an integrated socio-ecological stock-flow module that simulates carbon and nitrogen flows through both socioeconomic and ecological system compartments. We report on outcomes of a scenario analysis that outlines possible future trajectories depending on both external (e.g. agricultural subsidies and prices) and internal (e.g. innovation, willingness to co-operate) factors. We find that both external and internal factors can affect the behaviour of the integrated system considerably. Local and regional policies are found to be able to counteract adverse global socioeconomic conditions to some extent, but not to reverse the trend altogether. We also find strong interdependencies between socioeconomic and ecological components of the system. Fully evaluating these interdependencies is, however, not possible at the local scale alone and will require explicit consideration of higher-level effects in future research.

Emergent information. Towards a unified information theory

This paper proposes the restoration of information theory by means of a philosophy of evolutionary systems. What this philosophy implies for the conception of information may be called a multi-stage model, comprising both the history and the ordering of information processing by real-world systems. Such a unifying information concept may assist suitable research in the coming field of information science.

The Austrian Experience with Literature-based Innovation Output Indicators

In spite of considerable public concern about industrial innovations in Austria there exist only four databases (of poor quality) which allow for quantitative innovation research. This was a reason to engage in the collection of literature-based innovation output data in Austria. This chapter reports on our experience from a first round of data collection.

Commodification, information, value and profit

This paper gives an overview on the processes of commodification and de-commodification of goods and services as a background for analysing developments in the emerging information society. It contributes to the current discussion on intellectual property rights in terms of political economics by connecting it to technology and law. Finally, as an illustration of the proposed view, selected trendsetting Internet-based companies are studied with respect to their strategies in making profit.ZusammenfassungAls Hintergrund zur Analyse der sich herausbildenden Informationsgesellschaft gibt das Paper einen Überblick über Kommodifizierungs- und Dekommodifizierungsprozesse von Gütern und Dienstleistungen. In einer mit Technologie und Recht verknüpften Begrifflichkeit der Politischen Ökonomie wird ein Beitrag zur laufenden Diskussion über intellectual property rights geleistet. Zur Illustration der vorgebrachten Position werden abschliessend ausgewählte trendbestimmende Internet-Unternehmen bezüglich ihrer Gewinnstrategien untersucht.RésuméCet article fournit une vue d’ensemble sur les processus de marchandisation et de dé-marchandisation des biens et des services pour servir de base à une analyse des développements en cours dans la société d’information. Il apporte une contribution à la discussion actuelle sur les droits de la propriété intellectuelle en termes d’économie politique en l’associant à la technologie et au droit. Enfin, pour illustrer le point de vue proposé, des sociétés génératrices de tendances basées sur Internet ont été sélectionnées et étudiées du point de vue de leurs stratégies de profit.

The making of the information society: driving forces, `Leitbilder' and the imperative for survival

In the field of science-technology-society, there are three one-sided approaches to analyzing the spread of the Internet: technology-push, economy-pull, and community-pull. Information science, when dealing with the transformation of our societies, will have to cover all of them and even try to find out missing links. We propose adding the analysis of metaphors accompanying the introduction and diffusion of new technologies, and evaluating metaphors and technologies using the criterion of how well they are shaped to meet global challenges. We conclude that contrary to ideological promises the capability of society to generate survival-relevant information will not be improved by establishing the so-called data highway per se, unless additional requirements are met which refer to higher information levels of knowledge and wisdom.

Actio non est reactio: An extension of the concept of causality towards phenomena of information

The goal of this article is to subsume the concept of information under a more general heading. One basic notion which can be generally applied is the term “causality”. This concept is used in everyday language, in mythological thinking, and in scientific languages as well. Therefore there exists some chance to adapt it to the context of information, to extend it towards our needs, and to explicate it more precisely. We think it promising to look for information under this perspective, and to work out the differences, similarities, and the particularities of causality of information processes compared to purely physical ones. The advantage of this perspective is the unfolding of a larger range of analysis than is opened by physics. It allows for the inclusion of different causal relations which cannot be viewed by classical physics.

Max Webers Bürokratietheorie im Lichte elektronischer Kommunikationsmedien

Die moderne Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien machen es notwendig, die uberkommene Theorien und traditionelle Praxis von Verwaltung immer wieder auf ihre Zeitgemusheit zu prufen, und zu fragen, ob die Moglichkeiten, die in den neuen Technologien stecken, die alten Konzepte teilweise obsolet machen. Der folgende Beitrag unterzieht Max Webers Burokratietheorie einer solchen Prufung und versucht, darauf aufbauend, mogliche Perspektiven fur die offentliche Verwaltung der Zukunft zu gewinnen.

SLOVAKIA IN TRANSITION: EXAMINING SCENARIOS FOR CHANGE WITH A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL

This paper presents the theoretical and methodological background and main findings of the research project “A System Dynamics Model of Slovakia,” which was financed by the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research. It was performed by cooperative efforts of scientists at INFO-STAT, Bratislava, and the Department for Design and Assessment of Technology/Social Cybernetics at the Vienna University of Technology. The model deals with the transition of Slovakia from a centrally planned to a market economy for the period 1990 to 1996. As examples of its application, the standard run and a scenario to fight unemployment are discussed.

Nähern wir uns einer Gesellschaft ohne Geld

Zehn Jahre nach dem Beginn der ersten Weltwirtschaftskrise im 21. Jahrhundert sind die durch sie hervorgerufenen Probleme noch immer nicht uberwunden. Immer neue Krisenfelder losen die alten ab. Die Immobilienkrise verwandelte sich in eine Bankenkrise und eine Wirtschaftskrise.

Does Europe develop towards socialism? A personal comment from the year 2025

Seen from the perspective of the year 2025 the implosion of the Soviet Union and the other European socialist countries allowed Europe to be conquered by neoliberal political and economic concepts which have started in the United States of America. Burning social issues (social inequality, social exclusion of minorities and immigrants) became worse and were not solved at all. It needed new social actors on the micro level to re-establish the welfare state based on direct participation of the people and a changed social structure of private enterprises. The introduction of negative income tax provided a decent basic income for everybody.