Knowledge And Systems Sciences

Integrating ideas from the fields of systems science and knowledge science, Knowledge and Systems Science: Enabling Systemic Knowledge Synthesis shows how to create and justify various pieces of knowledge systemically. Written by one of the foremost experts in this area, the book presents approaches for the systemic integration of knowledge, which can help solve complex problems today and in the future. After discussing issues of systemic knowledge synthesis, the book emphasizes the importance of the human dimension in problem solving and introduces a new integrated systems approach called the informed systems approach. It also covers mathematical information aggregation techniques. Moving on to knowledge science concepts and approaches, the book discusses organizational and academic knowledge creation models and considers a sociological interpretation of the knowledge integration system. To support knowledge science as an academic discipline, the author explains how to justify knowledge and summarizes a theory of knowledge synthesis (construction) systems. Through case studies of technology archiving, academic research evaluation, demand forecasting of perishable foods, and other real-world concerns, this book demonstrates the use of new knowledge-based methods in addressing a variety of complex issues. It also illustrates the importance of acquiring a systemic view through trained intuition.

As branches of research and knowledge continue to expand, platforms for gathering and understanding new information become important aspects of organizational improvement. Contemporary Knowledge and Systems Science provides emerging research on the methods and applications of knowledge systems in social science, economics, and technological developments. While highlighting topics such as knowledge retention, organizational information, and evolutionary algorithms, this publication explores the different types of new knowledge from a systems perspective. This book is an important resource for researchers, academics, practitioners, and graduate-level students seeking current research on the connections between technology and information in order to manage new data.

"This book brings together valuable research on the adoption of a systems approach to the theory and practice of managing information and people in knowledge intensive activities and processes"--Provided by publisher.

This pioneering text provides a comprehensive introduction to systems structure, function, and modeling as applied in all fields of science and engineering. Systems understanding is increasingly recognized as a key to a more holistic education and greater problem solving skills, and is also reflected in the trend toward interdisciplinary approaches to research on complex phenomena. While the concepts and components of systems science will continue to be distributed throughout the various disciplines, undergraduate degree programs in systems science are also being developed, including at the authors’ own institutions. However, the subject is approached, systems science as a basis for understanding the components and drivers of phenomena at all scales should be viewed with the same importance as a traditional liberal arts education. Principles of Systems Science contains many graphs, illustrations, side bars, examples, and problems to enhance understanding. From basic principles of organization, complexity, abstract representations, and behavior (dynamics) to deeper aspects such as the relations between information, knowledge, computation, and system control, to higher order aspects such as auto-organization, emergence and evolution, the book provides an integrated perspective on the comprehensive nature of systems. It ends with practical aspects such as systems analysis, computer modeling, and systems engineering that demonstrate how the knowledge of systems can be used to solve problems in the real world. Each chapter is broken into parts beginning with qualitative descriptions that stand alone for students who have taken intermediate algebra. The second part presents quantitative descriptions that are based on pre-calculus and advanced algebra, providing a more formal treatment for students who have the necessary mathematical background. Numerous examples of systems from every realm of life, including the physical and biological sciences, humanities, social sciences, engineering, pre-med and pre-law, are based on the fundamental systems concepts of boundaries, components as subsystems, processes as flows of materials, energy, and messages, work accomplished, functions performed, hierarchical structures, and more. Understanding these basics enables further understanding both of how systems endure and how they may become increasingly complex and exhibit new properties or characteristics. Serves as a textbook for teaching systems fundamentals in any discipline or for use in an introductory course in systems science degree programs Addresses a wide range of audiences with different levels of mathematical sophistication Includes open-ended questions in special boxes intended to stimulate integrated thinking and class discussion Describes numerous examples of systems in science and society Captures the trend towards interdisciplinary research and problem solving

This book discusses technology and systems to create valuable ideas from data through the construction of knowledge. The primary concern is to make better decisions about economic and management issues in today’s information-flooded society. Human creative activity is in the realm of soft technology, with no physical entity to operate. Focusing on the ability of knowledge as judgment power, this definition results: “Knowledge technology is soft technology that underpins the human creative activities of converting data and information into knowledge, creating new ideas based on that knowledge and validating those ideas.” That definition includes a wide range of soft technologies developed in informatics, management studies, and systems science. The knowledge system creates ideas from data and knowledge through knowledge technologies. Based on the proposition that knowledge emerges by the interaction between explicit and tacit knowledge, another definition is possible: “The knowledge system is a system that promotes interaction between codified and personalized knowledge and creates ideas for solving a specific problem.” Codified knowledge includes data and information, while personalized knowledge is empirical knowledge or wisdom that is difficult to put into words. Building a knowledge system requires mathematical or intelligent knowledge technology and participatory knowledge technology to create or manage codified knowledge and personalized knowledge. For example, a company builds cross-sectional knowledge systems by gathering human resources from various departments, according to the purpose, as in new product development or sales promotion. Chapter 1 defines knowledge technology and the knowledge system and organizes the challenges in their development, while Chapters 2 through 9 introduce mathematical or intelligent knowledge technologies by researchers at the forefront of knowledge technology development.

The primary purpose of this handbook is to clearly describe the current state of theories of systems sciences and to support their use and practice. There are many ways in which systems sciences can be described. This handbook takes a multifaceted view of systems sciences and describes them in terms of a relatively large number of dimensions, from natural and engineering science to social science and systems management perspectives. It is not the authors’ intent, however, to produce a catalog of systems science concepts, methodologies, tools, or products. Instead, the focus is on the structural network of a variety of topics. Special emphasis is given to a cyclic–interrelated view; for example, when a theory of systems sciences is described, there is also discussion of how and why the theory is relevant to modeling or practice in reality. Such an interrelationship between theory and practice is also illustrated when an applied research field in systems sciences is explained. The chapters in the handbook present definitive discussions of systems sciences from a wide array of perspectives. The needs of practitioners in industry and government as well as students aspiring to careers in systems sciences provide the motivation for the majority of the chapters. The handbook begins with a comprehensive introduction to the coverage that follows. It provides not only an introduction to systems sciences but also a brief overview and integration of the succeeding chapters in terms of a knowledge map. The introduction is intended to be used as a field guide that indicates why, when, and how to use the materials or topics contained in the handbook.

The first textbook devoted to this emerging area, Health Systems Science now brings you fully up to date with today’s key issues and solutions. This increasingly important branch of health care explores how health care is delivered, how health care professionals work together to deliver that care, and how the health system can improve patient care and health care delivery. Along with basic and clinical sciences, health systems science is rapidly becoming a crucial 'third pillar' of medical science, with an emphasis on understanding the role of human factors, systems engineering, leadership, and patient improvement strategies that will help transform the future of health care and ensure greater patient safety. In this 2nd Edition, new chapters, new exercises, and new information help you acquire the knowledge and skills you need for success in today’s challenging healthcare system. The first comprehensive text for mastering health systems science, offering practical coverage of all of the factors in the lives of patients that influence their well-being, the structures and processes of the health system itself, societal factors, communication, and information technology. NEW to this edition: New content on systems thinking, ethics and legal issues, and international care models further define and address this new important component of health care education; additional exercises; and expanded information on the patient experience and private practice. Complete coverage of patient safety, quality improvement, value in health care, teamwork, stewardship of health care resources, population health, clinical informatics, care coordination, leadership, and health care financing/reform. Patient improvement strategies incorporate checklists, information technology, team training, and more. A consistent chapter template provides clear coverage of each topic, including Learning Objectives, Chapter Outline, Core Chapter Content, Summary, Questions for Reflection, and Annotated Bibliography and References. Developed by the American Medical Association’s Accelerating Change in Medical Education Consortium, and authored by a team that includes AMA staff members working with individuals from the Consortium member schools.

This book has a rather strange history. It began in Spring 1989, thirteen years after our Systems Science Department at SUNY -Binghamton was established, when I was asked by a group of students in our doctoral program to have a meeting with them. The spokesman of the group, Cliff Joslyn, opened our meeting by stating its purpose. I can closely paraphrase what he said: "We called this meeting to discuss with you, as Chairman of the Department, a fundamental problem with our systems science curriculum. In general, we consider it a good curriculum: we learn a lot of concepts, principles, and methodological tools, mathematical, computational, heuristic, which are fundamental to understanding and dealing with systems. And, yet, we learn virtually nothing about systems science itself. What is systems science? What are its historical roots? What are its aims? Where does it stand and where is it likely to go? These are pressing questions to us. After all, aren't we supposed to carry the systems science flag after we graduate from this program? We feel that a broad introductory course to systems science is urgently needed in the curriculum. Do you agree with this assessment?" The answer was obvious and, yet, not easy to give: "I agree, of course, but I do not see how the situation could be alleviated in the foreseeable future.