Transcript GRS-30306-0603-1

Complex Adaptive systems
GRS-21306
Introduction
Arnold Bregt
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Contents Presentation
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System thinking in Wageningen
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Complex adaptive systems
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Complex adaptive systems and SDI
Scientific schools
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Reductionism ( e.g. Rene Descartes)
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components
Holism (e.g. Aristotle)
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system
Question
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What is the science view approach in
Wageningen?
System thinking in Wageningen
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Systems thinking is the process of understanding
how things influence one another within a whole
Comparison approaches
Use Newtonian
techniques when the
problem is:
Use complex techniques
when the problem is:
New and unique
Quiet familiar
Well defined
Closed to outside influence
Linear, the inputs and outputs
are clearly distinguishable
Fuzzy or unknown
Open to outside influences
Nonlinear, the inputs and
outputs are not clearly
distinguishable
Example organization
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In organizations, systems consist of people,
structures, and processes that work together to
make an organization healthy or unhealthy
Example Nature
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In nature, systems thinking examples include
ecosystems in which various elements such as
air, water, movement, plants, and animals work
together to survive or perish.
Question
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Can you give examples of pro’s and con’s of both
approaches?
Examples – Information system
Example Ecosystem
Complex system
Source: Complexity systems institute
Complex Adaptive System
Complex Adaptive System is a dynamic network of
many agents (which may represent cells, species,
individuals, firms, nations) acting in parallel and
constantly, and reacting to what the other
agents are doing (Waldrop, 1992).
Complex adaptive system
Source: Complexity systems institute
CAS Features
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Components
Complexity
Sensitive to initial conditions
Openness
Unpredictability
(Scale independence)
CAS behaviours
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Adaptability
Self organization
Non-linear behaviour
Feedback loop mechanism
Adaptability
Example: Self organization
Feedback loop
Non-linear behaviour
CAS as a research topic
CAS application in Wageningen
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CAS is the concept/ theory
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ABM (Agent Based Modelling) is the
implementation)
Citations
Complex adaptive systems and SDI
Hypothesis:
CAS characteristics and behaviors can also be
found in SDIs.
Dutch SDI
Structure of SDI of Flanders (Part of belgium)
SDI as CAS (assignment)
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Please read the article from your reader
“Spatial Data Infrastructures as Complex
Adaptive Systems” and analyze your SDI
case using the 10 features and behaviors
mentioned in this article.