Petia Sice

Using system dynamics to analyse interactions in duopoly competition

This article introduces non-linear dynamics to assess the interactions in duopoly competition between two rivals. The generic competition is considered here to be the competition for quality between two consumer durable products. The authors have used a system dynamics approach to develop the model of interactions and simulate the behaviour over time. The outcomes of several hundred simulations have shown that the recognition and implementation lags in quality improvement strongly influence the qualitative behaviour of the system. When the speed of adaptation to customer demand reaches a certain value, a Hopf bifurcation occurs and the system converges into a limit cycle. Quasi-periodicity and chaos emerge when further increasing the speed of the response. Instead of tending to equilibrium around an optimal quality value the model exhibits complex counter-intuitive behaviours.

A holistic frame‐of‐reference for modelling social systems

Purpose – To outline a philosophical system of inquiry that may be used as a frame‐of‐reference for modelling social systems.Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on insights from cognitive science, autopoiesis, management cybernetics and non‐linear dynamics.Findings – The outcome of this paper is an outline of a frame‐of‐reference to be used as a starting point (or a frame of orientation) for any problem solving/modelling intent or act. The framework highlights the importance of epistemological reflection and the need to avoid any separation of the process of knowing from that of modelling. It also emphasises the importance of inquiry into the assumptions that underpin the methods, tools and techniques that we employ, and into the tacit beliefs of the human actors who use them.Research limitations/implications – The presented frame‐of‐reference should be regarded as an evolving system of inquiry, one that seeks to incorporate contemporary human insight.Practical implications – Exactly, how the fr...

Leadership capability : an autopoietic perspective

There is a large body of literature by the Chilean biologists Humberto Maturana and Francisco Varela, referred to as Autopoietic Theory. This theory describes the dynamics of living systems; dealing with cognition as a biological phenomenon. The theory, however, has found far wider application than may be suggested from its biological roots, to generate implications for epistemology, i.e. enactive view of cognition, communication and social systems theory. This paper presents key insights and explores their implication to understanding leadership capability from the perspective of an enactive view of cognition. Autopoiesis suggests that the quality of human experience, is determined by the interplay between the internal dynamics (biological processes) and the environment (social and other) of an active situated human agent, and thus offers an alternative perspective to interpreting and developing leadership capability. What is required is to foster an environment where awareness is actively developed, fragmentation of experience is avoided and language is used to promote creativity. A mini case study of the hearing aid manufacturer, Oticon A/S, is used for illustration.

A framework for promoting learning in IS design and implementation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to set out an argument for a way to design, implement and manage IS with an emphasis on first, the learning that can be created through undertaking the approach, and second, the learning that may be created through using the IS that was implemented. The paper proposes joining two areas of research namely, technology management with soft systems methodology (SSM). The framework was developed through undertaking a customer concern management project within a manufacturing organisation.Design/methodology/approach – Reviewing the literature on information systems management, the learning organisation, and systems theory a proposed synergy is found. The outcome of this synergy allows a number of methodologies to be identified that are argued as suitable for IS design. From these information system development (ISD) methodologies, SSM is expanded to incorporate the principles of the learning organisation and systems theory. The expanded SSM framework is applied in practice...

An enactive perspective on comprehending leadership: a comparative case study approach

Leadership is a significant element in the present life of organizations. Recent reviews suggest building novel frameworks through which leadership, as a phenomenon, could be understood comprehensively, considering all the aspects of human experience. The autopoietic perspective on cognition suggests that the quality of human experience is determined by the interplay between the biological and social dynamics of an active situated human agent, we enact our ‘reality’, rather than recognize one. Thus, an integrated approach to the study of any phenomenon in the social domain requires focus on the interrelatedness of the biological, mental and social aspects. This exploratory paper provides an insight into the findings of an empirical study of leadership consonant with an enactive perspective on human experience, including the biological, behavioral and social dynamics of the leadership phenomenon. The research implemented mixed methods under the umbrella of a multidisciplinary comparative case study. Heart rate variability (HRV) demonstrated as the biomarker for physiological data, semi-structured interviews, the Leadership Behavior Development Questionnaire (LBDQ) and a researcher’s reflective diary were used to collect qualitative data and assist in understanding behavioral attributes. The results indicated a correlation between physiology, attitudes and behaviors, social dynamics and performance.

An Exploratory Theoretical Framework for Understanding Information Behaviour

Recent trends in researching Information Behaviour in organisations show that the initial focus on technology has shifted to cognitive methods that take the individual into account, but more recently there has been a move to the social sciences approach. Literature shows that this approach has been informative but rather theoretic as there has been limited work using this approach to handle information problems in organisations. There is a need to develop and test theories to help understand Information Behaviour in organisations in a social science context that gives direct benefits to the organisation. It is useful to view organisations as complex social networks of interactions, where importance is put on the relationships between people in the organisations, as well as on the individual actor. A need exists to evaluate and connect insights from social sciences communities of practice, and complexity theory. This paper explores insights from these theories and develops a conceptual framework for understanding Information Behaviour in organisations. Data collection is in a preliminary stage, reflections and observations, of the researcher and a few participants. The intention is to provoke thoughts along the lines of seeking to use a synergy between theories that can offer different and useful platforms to help better understand the impact of information behaviour on organizational culture.

Exploring the Behaviour of a Centralised Supply Chain at Draeger Safety UK

This article presents analysis of the behaviour of a model of a centralised supply chain. The research was conducted within the manufacturing sector and involved the breathing equipment manufacturer Draeger Safety, UK. A simplified model of the Draeger Safety, UK centralised supply chain has been developed and validated. Simulation and analysis have been performed using System Dynamics, non-linear dynamics and control theory. The findings suggest that destructive oscillations of inventory could be generated by internal decision making practices. A management microworld has been developed allowing managers to experiment with different decision policies and learn how the supply chain performs.

Attributes of embodied leadership: A beginning in the next chapter of leadership development

Research and guidance on leadership behaviour has been documented throughout history, from the epics to more recent leadership theories, evolved over the last century. However, despite ample research and practice, leadership failures continue in being typical.Areviewof literature in leadership studies reveals that recommendations have often been descriptive, assumptive and prescriptive without considering various individual differences. Additionally, leadership development often utilises methodologies in which individuals are trained to ‘act’ as leaders rather than fully embody leadership behaviour. This paper explores the generic attributes that describe embodied leadership behaviour. Semi-structured interviews were performed on a panel of individuals from different backgrounds and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Along with the interviews, the works of Scharmer (2008) and behavioural traits identified in leadership by Derue, Nahrgang,Wellman and Humphrey (2011) were taken into consideration. A final consensus was reached using a set of ten attributes that potentially contribute to embodied leadership behaviour; being non-judgemental, embracing uncertainty, active listening, congruence (morals and ethics), intuition, reflective practice, sense of meaning/purpose, holistic decision making, authentic presence and intention.

Ontology, epistemology and the complexity of human neurobiology

Certain ontology and epistemology perspectives are most relevant to human systems’ enquiry. These are derived from a synergy of insights from theories of autopoiesis, interpersonal neurobiology and complexity. Ontology has implications for our comprehension of the nature of human systems: 1/ Human systems are embodied and situated, exhibiting selforganising and emergent properties; 2/ Human experience is personal but not private, it is born in the interactions with the environment, and is validated by the human structure; 3/ Changes in human structure are necessarily subservient to conservation of autopoiesis, i.e. self-production and maintaining life. The epistemological implications deem ontology and epistemology as mutually informative in human enquiry; the thrust of this article. Our knowledge is limited by our capabilities of awareness. The quality of perception interlinks with cultivating awareness and intentionality for maintaining wellbeing, i.e. sustaining life-enhancing conditions. The concept of ‘wellbeing informatics’ is used to outline a tangible approach to evaluating wellbeing.

The Embodied Nurse: Interdisciplinary knowledge exchange between compassionate nursing and recent developments in embodied leadership studies

AIMS To report a potential knowledge exchange between nursing studies and the results obtained from a study conducted into the attributes of embodied leadership. BACKGROUND Leadership theories have been applied to evaluate, improve, and train nursing practitioners in several previous studies. However, leadership research has entered a new phase where the focus is to produce sustainable leaders through authenticity and compassion, the same two characteristics identified as being of most success in emergent nursing practice. There are few studies that have indicated a knowledge exchange between the latest developments in leadership studies and nursing. DESIGN An exploratory and qualitative study. METHODS Between February 2012 - July 2012, a focused sample of 14 medical care professionals was interviewed across a chain of hospitals. The aim was to evaluate embodied leadership characteristics and understand the factors that contribute to the manifestation of these characteristics. The transcribed interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS Several factors that contribute to the characteristics of embodied leadership have been identified in the interviews and in subsequent literature searches on the characteristics and contributing factors found to be associated with nursing research. These could prompt a knowledge exchange. CONCLUSION The results suggest common ground between nursing and contemporary leadership research in the exposition of behaviours; namely, being non-judgmental, listening actively, reflective practice and embracing uncertainty. Several implications can therefore be expected through the exchange of knowledge resulting from collaboration between researchers in the two disciplines.