Bstick: Handheld Virtual Reality Haptic Controller for Hand Rehabilitation
Problems with Abstract Observers and Advantages of a Model-Centric Cybernetics Paradigm
Can Good Government Save Us? Extending a Climate-Population Model to Include Governance and Its Effects
Design of an IoT System for the Palletized Distribution Supply Chain with Model-Based Systems Engineering Tools

Journal Description

Systems

Systems is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on systems theory in practice, including fields such as systems engineering management, systems based project planning in urban settings, health systems, environmental management and complex social systems, published bimonthly online by MDPI. The International Society for the Systems Sciences (ISSS) is affiliated with Systems and its members receive a discount on the article processing charges.

Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SSCI (Web of Science), dblp, and many other databases.
Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision provided to authors approximately 16.9 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 3.8 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2021).
Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.

Imprint Information Journal Flyer Open Access ISSN: 2079-8954

Latest Articles

Open AccessArticle

Enhancing Digital Innovation for the Sustainable Transformation of Manufacturing Industry: A Pressure-State-Response System Framework to Perceptions of Digital Green Innovation and Its Performance for Green and Intelligent Manufacturing

and

Systems 2022, 10(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030072 (registering DOI) - 27 May 2022

Abstract

Low carbon and digitalization are the general trends of manufacturing upgrading and transformation. Digital technology enables the whole process of green manufacturing and breaks down the spatial barrier. To achieve the dual carbon goals, the pressure-state-response (PSR) model, in which digital technology enables the green innovation of the manufacturing industry, was theoretically analyzed in this study. The measurement system of the digital green innovation (DGI) in the manufacturing industry was constructed according to the PSR framework. An evaluation model based on the analytic hierarchy process and the deviation maximization technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution method was constructed to measure the level of DGI. The results of this study from Chinese manufacturing are as follows. (i) The measurement system of the level of DGI in manufacturing industry includes a pressure system, state system and response system. (ii) In the past five years, the comprehensive index of the DGI in manufacturing industry has generally shown a trend of fluctuating rise. There are overall low and unbalanced phenomena in all regions. The gap decreased from 0.1320 to 0.1187, showing a gradually narrowing trend. (iii) Compared with other regions, the composite index of DGI is generally higher in the regions with a better ecological environment in the east and a more developed economy in the north. State parameters are higher than pressure and response parameters in most areas. (iv) Compared with other regions, the composite index of DGI in western and southern regions is lower, and the parameters of pressure, status and response are basically coordinated. (v) The application degree of digital technology, the emission intensity of waste water/exhaust gas of output value of one hundred million yuan and the expenditure intensity of digital technology adopted by enterprises are the key influencing factors of DGI in the manufacturing industry. This study not only proposed an evaluation index system of the digital green innovation level, but also puts forward policy guidance and practical guidance of digital technology to accelerate the green and intelligent manufacturing industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making Process and Its Application to Business Analytic)

Open AccessArticle

Relationships Organize Information in Mind and Nature: Empirical Findings of Action–Reaction Relationships (R) in Cognitive and Material Complexity

Derek Cabrera

Laura Cabrera

and

Elena Cabrera

Systems 2022, 10(3), 71; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030071 (registering DOI) - 26 May 2022

Abstract

Diverse phenomena such as feedback, interconnectedness, causality, network dynamics, and complexity are all born from Relationships. They are fundamentally important, as they are transdisciplinary and synonymous with connections, links, edges, and interconnections. The foundation of systems thinking and systems themselves consists of four universals, one of which is action–reaction Relationships. They are also foundational to the consilience of knowledge. This publication gives a formal description of and predictions of action–reaction Relationships (R) or “R-rule”. There are seven original empirical studies presented in this paper. For these seven studies, experiments for the subjects were created on software (unless otherwise noted). The experiments had the subjects complete a task and/or answer a question. The samples are generalizable to a normal distribution of the US population and they vary for each study (ranging from N = 407 to N = 34,398). With high statistical significance the studies support the predictions made by DSRP Theory regarding action–reaction Relationships including its universality as an observable phenomenon in both nature (ontological complexity) and mind (cognitive complexity); mutual dependencies on other universals (i.e., Distinctions, Systems, and Perspectives); role in structural predictions; internal structures and dynamics; efficacy as a metacognitive skill. In conclusion, these data suggest the observable and empirical existence, parallelism (between cognitive and ontological complexity), universality, and efficacy of action–reaction Relationships (R). Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Complex Systems)

Open AccessArticle

Viruses as Living Systems—A Metacybernetic View

Maurice Yolles

and

Roy Frieden

Systems 2022, 10(3), 70; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030070 (registering DOI) - 25 May 2022

Abstract

The debate over whether viruses are living organisms tends to be paradigmatically determined. The metabolic paradigm denies that they are, while new research evidences the opposite. The purpose of this paper is to deliver a generic model for viral contexts that explains why viruses are alive. It will take a systems biology approach, with a qualitative part (using metacybernetics) to provide deeper explanations of viral contexts, and a quantitative part (using Fisher Information deriving from the variational principle of Extreme Physical Information) which is in principle able to take measurements and predict outcomes. The modelling process provides an extended view of the epigenetic processes of viruses. The generic systems biology model will depict viruses as autonomous entities with metaphysical processes of autopoietic self-organisation and adaptation, enabling them to maintain their physical viability and hence, within their populations, mutate and evolve. The autopoietic epigenetic processes are shown to describe their capability to change, and these are both qualitatively and quantitatively explored, the latter providing an approach to make measurements of physical phenomena under uncertainty. Viruses maintain their fitness when they are able to maintain their stability, and this is indicated by information flow efficacy. A brief case study is presented on the COVID-19 virus from the perspective that it is a living system, and this includes outcome predictions given Fisher Information conditions for known contexts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Cybernetics)

Open AccessArticle

Embedded Researchers as Part of a Whole Systems Approach to Physical Activity: Reflections and Recommendations

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Systems 2022, 10(3), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030069 - 24 May 2022

Abstract

Whole systems approaches are increasingly being advocated as a way of responding to complex public health priorities such as obesity and physical inactivity. Due to the complex and adaptive nature of such systems, researchers are increasingly being embedded within host organisations (i.e., those which facilitate the whole systems approach) to work with key stakeholders to illuminate and understand mechanisms of change and develop a culture of continuous improvement. While previous literature has reported on the benefits and challenges of embedded researchers in health care, little is known about the experiences and learnings of those situated within these complex whole systems approaches. In this paper, we present our reflections of being embedded researchers within four distinct whole systems approaches and outline recommendations and considerations for commissioners working with or seeking support from an embedded researcher. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systems Practice in Public Health)

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating Interventions in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak by Multiple-Criteria Decision-Making Models

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Systems 2022, 10(3), 68; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030068 - 23 May 2022

Abstract

The COVID-19 outbreak has currently led to serious social and economic consequences. In poor and developing countries, there are more challenges and barriers to tackling the pandemic. The study’s aim is to propose a hybrid approach to multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) models for determining the most efficient intervention strategies. The methodology is a combination between the Best-Worst Model (BWM) and Group Best-Worst Model (GBWM) to estimate the efficiency score of intervention. Based on the background of knowledge, five groups of stakeholders including Academicians, Entrepreneurs, Commons Residents, Social Workers, Health Workers are considered decision-makers (DMs). A set of nine potential strategies was evaluated and prioritized by all DMs. The findings have shown that different groups of stakeholders prioritized differently the importance of criteria due to their interests. In the context of Vietnam, however, the Availability of Health Systems is prioritized as the most important intervention. The results and proposed model of this paper contributed to MCDM literature as well as a good reference to apply practically in many different countries. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Prioritization of Environmental Uncertainty and Manufacturing Flexibility for Labor-Intensive Industry: A Case Study on Ready-Made Garment Industries in Bangladesh

Chowdhury Jony Moin

Mohammad Iqbal

A. B. M. Abdul Malek

Mohammad Muhshin Aziz Khan

and

Rezwanul Haque

Systems 2022, 10(3), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030067 - 21 May 2022

Abstract

Manufacturing flexibility is a widely accepted manufacturing strategy for mitigating the negative impacts of environmental uncertainty on firm performance and is also a required strategic attribute to acclimatize mass customization and agile manufacturing. Manufacturing flexibility has been adequately studied for technology-intensive industries but remains inadequately addressed for labor-intensive industries. In this study, a framework is proposed for sorting the relevant manufacturing flexibility types for the relevant environmental uncertainty types as an initial step towards implementing manufacturing flexibility in labor-intensive industries. This study considered the RMG (ready-made garment) industries in Bangladesh, which are mostly labor-intensive, as a case. Different types of manufacturing flexibility and environmental uncertainty were identified through a deductive approach from the existing literature and theory. Then, final sorting was conducted through a focus group discussion using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and decision making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) techniques. This study revealed that demand, competitor, supplier, and technology uncertainty were ranked sequentially from first to fourth. This study also revealed that demand and competitor uncertainty would be the first-line focus, and supplier uncertainty the second-line focus, of decision makers. Similarly, new product, volume, workforce, and modification flexibility were ranked sequentially from first to fourth, and these would be considered first-line focuses by decision makers. This study also showed that all types of environmental uncertainties had an internal effect (one type affects another type within the types of environmental uncertainty). Internal effects among the different types of manufacturing flexibility were also identified. This study contributes to the theory of manufacturing flexibility for labor-intensive industries and will help decision makers gradually implement manufacturing flexibility based on their capacity and goal. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

An Economic Evaluation of Targeted Reserve Requirement Ratio Reduction on Bank Ecosystem Development

Lihui Xiong

and

Jiaqi Fang

Systems 2022, 10(3), 66; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030066 - 15 May 2022

Abstract

In China’s bank-centered financial and economic environment, bank risk attitudes have an important impact on the effective implementation of structural monetary policy, and monetary policy can have an impact on the corporate ecosystem through risk taking by banks. To make an economic assessment of the evolution of the banking ecosystem and empirically explore the correlation between targeted Reserve Requirement Ratio (RRR) cuts and banks’ risk-taking levels in the context of financial supply-side structural reforms, this paper uses multiple regression analysis and a fixed-effects model to analyze the causal impact of targeted RRR reduction on the risk taking of Chinese commercial banks. In addition, it uses the mediation effect model to analyze the mechanism. Results show that targeted RRR cuts have significantly increased the level of risk taking of commercial banks. The findings are pronounced in urban commercial banks. However, the leverage ratio regulation has a restraining effect on the level of risk taking of banks. This study provides an effective economic evaluation for the benign development of the banking ecosystem under the environment of government policy supervision. Future research needs to expand the bank sample and further examine the changes in bank credit scale and credit investment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diversity of Enterprise Ecosystems: Theories, Methods and Applications)

Open AccessArticle

Market-Oriented Transformation and Development of Local Government Financing Platforms in China: Exploratory Research Based on Multiple Cases

Xiaoguang Li

Guoli Feng

and

Shengyue Hao

Systems 2022, 10(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030065 - 14 May 2022

Abstract

In recent years, the disorderly development of local government debt financing and local government financing platforms (GFP) in China has brought huge government debt risks. In order to control the debt increment caused by illegal financing of the GFP, the state has issued a series of documents. Under the new economic form, how to determine the position, choose the road, and plan the path of market-oriented development for high-quality economic development is critical to the GFP. This paper is committed to solving the key points and transformation paths of market-oriented transformation of the GFP. (1) On the basis of literature research, it analyzes the necessity, feasibility, and current transformation difficulties of market-oriented transformation of the GFP. (2) It defines the concept of the GFP and the concept of market-oriented transformation of the GFP. (3) It collates and analyzes the real cases of market-oriented transformation of four local government (county-level and above) financing platforms, studies the key points of transformation, and systematically summarizes the path of market-oriented transformation from three aspects: the goal, work plan, and implementation scheme of transformation and development. (4) Based on the idea of finding problems, diagnosing problems, optimizing, and improving, we put forward optimization strategy suggestions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systems Theory and Methodology)

Open AccessArticle

Evaluating the Impact of Institutional Improvement on Control of Corruption—A System Dynamics Approach

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Systems 2022, 10(3), 64; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030064 - 12 May 2022

Abstract

Political and bureaucratic corruption is a societal threat in every country. It allows organised crime to flourish, slows economic growth, increases income inequality, reduces government effectiveness, and threatens citizens’ confidence in the rule of law. This study uses a “System Dynamics model” from a framework based on econometric analysis wherein the causal relationships between the economic and governance institutions were established. The calibrated model uses the data on institutional quality from 1996 to 2020 from “the World Bank and the World Economic Forum” to project institutional quality and control corruption in the future. The control of corruption was trending downward in the nations studied. The model shows that improving institutional quality can reverse this downward trend. However, improving institutional quality and controlling corruption requires a country-specific approach. This model suggests the most efficient ways that national leaders and policymakers can improve institutional quality and thereby control corruption in their country. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Systemic and Quantitative Methods for the Analysis of Societal Threats)

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Open AccessArticle

Online Teaching Quality Evaluation of Business Statistics Course Utilizing Fermatean Fuzzy Analytical Hierarchy Process with Aggregation Operator

Shouzhen Zeng

Yan Pan

and

Huanhuan Jin

Systems 2022, 10(3), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030063 - 12 May 2022

Abstract

Due to the full-scale outbreak of COVID-19, many universities have adopted the way of online teaching to ensure the orderly development of teaching plans and teaching contents. However, whether online and offline teaching can develop homogeneously and how to ensure the teaching effect is a major challenge for colleges and universities. Therefore, it is urgent to construct a reasonable index system and evaluation approach for the quality of network teaching. Combined with the influencing factors and characteristics of online teaching, this study first puts forward a multi-index evaluation index system and then proposes a novel evaluation method for online teaching based on the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and Dombi weighted partitioned Muirhead Mean (PMM) operator under Fermatean fuzzy (FF) environment. This presented method not only adapts to changeable evaluation information but also handles the elusive interrelationships among indexes, realizing the flexibility and comprehensiveness both in form and in the polyaddition process. The applicability and feasibility of this presented method are then discussed through the practical online teaching quality evaluation of a business statistics course case, and a group of tentative about the sensitivity analysis and comparative analysis further demonstrates the effectiveness and flexibility of the proposed method. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Decision-Making Process and Its Application to Business Analytic)

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Open AccessArticle

Research on the Coupling between the Double Cycle Mode and Technological Innovation Systems: Empirical Evidence from Data Envelopment Analysis and Coupled Coordination

Shuang Lv

Shaodong Zhao

and

Hongda Liu

Systems 2022, 10(3), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030062 - 09 May 2022

Abstract

China is striving to build a new dual-circulation development pattern with the aim of leading the coupling of science, technology, and innovation through the active role of financial factors, ultimately promoting the country’s optimal economic development. As a result, this paper constructs a coupled dual-circulation-STI (scientific and technological innovation) relationship model. The domestic and foreign components of the input–output relationship are used to portray the extent of the dual circulation, combined with Index DEA to measure the quality of science and technology innovation under the role of financial factors and the coupled coordination model to analyze the intrinsic correlation between the two. The study used an Index-DEA and value chain analysis model to measure each industry’s technological effectiveness and the degree of internal and external circulation, respectively. The coupled coordination model approach was used to measure the coordination relationship between the double-loop model and technological innovation. Based on the coordination assessment table, the degree of coupling and the natural state of science and technology innovation and dual cycle in each industry were assessed. The study found that the country’s dual-circulation pattern gradually strengthened from 2015–2019, with the financial element also driving an increase in STI. However, due to the twists and turns of the external environment, the coupling power of the dual-circulation STI weakened in some years. On this basis, the paper concludes that the quality of STI, driven by financial factors, has been increasing year on year, and the coupling with dual circulation has been trending upwards. Regarding policy implications, developing countries such as China should continue to invest more financially to create a healthy and sustainable innovation model. Through the innovation-dual-circulation development model, the country should eliminate the sloppy development model in construction and use the power of science and technology to lead social progress. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Trends on the Development of Integrated and Robust Social Development Management Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

Eco-Efficiency Assessment of Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration Based on Emergy Analysis and Two-Layer System Dynamics

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Systems 2022, 10(3), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030061 - 08 May 2022

Abstract

In the process of the economic development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration, ecological and environmental issues are still an important factor restricting high-quality development. The study of eco-efficiency is of great significance for coordinating the relationship between economy, resources and environment. This paper used a combinated method of two-layer system dynamics and emergy analysis to construct an emergy–system dynamics coupling model for eco-efficiency evaluation from the subsystems of resource flow, energy flow, currency flow and population flow of urban system, which is used to simulate and analyze the eco-efficiency of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. The results show that the overall eco-efficiency of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration is not high, with an average value of 0.3786, and there is a trend of the value rising first and then falling from 2000 to 2035. The index values of emergy waste rate, contaminant emergy ratio, emergy output rate and environmental load rate after the decomposition of the eco-efficiency show that the high environmental pressure, the low re-use rate of pollutants and the low production efficiency of the system are important reasons for the low eco-efficiency in regional economic development. Finally, through scenario simulation, we propose that optimizing the economic structure, adjusting the population size and rationally arranging the fixed assets investment are conducive to improving the eco-efficiency of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Trends on the Development of Integrated and Robust Social Development Management Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

Systemizing and Automating the Concept Development Process Based on Product Configuration and User Feedback: Case Study on Automating the Design Process of Creating Concepts for a Kitchen Stand Mixer

Camilla S. Nielsen

and

Ryan M. Arlitt

Systems 2022, 10(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030060 - 08 May 2022

Abstract

Optimizing the development and evaluation of concepts during the design of consumer products through, e.g., topology optimization, often excludes areas associated with user needs (e.g., usability). This paper reports on an exploratory study of developing a system which can create new product concepts based on users’ preferences, requirements, and a clearly defined product structure. The 3D model of the product (structured using top-down design and resilient modeling) was integrated with calculations of the performance of the user needs (performance indicators). Different designs were developed based on design of experiment analyses and optimization analyses of the 3D model of the product (a kitchen stand mixer). The outcome of the analyses was a range of concepts which scored differently in the performance indicators. The best designs (based on Pareto front) were evaluated by six potential customers. Half of the participants preferred the same design, suggesting that this tool can be used to develop a design which a specific customer segment prefers. The process of creating the model and using it for customer interviews contributed a set of qualitative findings to the literature on combining parametric design, customization, and systematic design with user needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Systems Design)

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Open AccessArticle

Research on Supply and Demand of Aged Services Resource Allocation in China: A System Dynamics Model

and

Systems 2022, 10(3), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030059 - 02 May 2022

Abstract

With the rapid growth of the elderly population of China in recent years, the service demands of older Chinese people continue to increase. The increasingly severe situation with respect to the elderly population is an important social problem that China will face for a long time into the future. It is urgent to solve the problem of how to scientifically carry out allocation planning of service resources for the aged and guide the effective supply of service resources. This paper analyzes the factors affecting service resources for the aged, divides China’s service resource supply and demand system into a supply subsystem, a demand subsystem, and a population and economy subsystem. Using system dynamics methods to analyze the causal relationship between variables and the state space method to build a mathematical model and perform simulation analysis, we research the the current situation of China’s service resources supply and demand balance for the aged. In addition, we put forward resource configuration optimization measures for the future allocation of service resources for the aged, providing a practical basis for future decision-making. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research Trends on the Development of Integrated and Robust Social Development Management Systems)

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Open AccessArticle

The Blitz Canvas: A Business Model Innovation Framework for Software Startups

Narendranath Shanbhag

and

Eric Pardede

Systems 2022, 10(3), 58; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030058 - 26 Apr 2022

Abstract

Software startups are temporary organizations created with the purpose of bringing a profitable business idea to life. In the initial stages, the commercial viability of any product concept is yet to be proven and until the startup can generate revenue, resources are always in short supply. To this end, this research proposes a process-oriented, competition-aware, metric-driven business model development and innovation framework. The proposed framework is designed to aid this process, by supporting the creation and validation of the business model. A web-based tool is created to demonstrate the working of the proposed model and validation is performed using survey data collected from the usage experience of participants. The data is used to evaluate the research questions and the ability of the proposed framework to overcome the shortcomings of the business model canvas. The results showed that the tool (and by extension, the framework) made the task of business model creation a quick and easy process, while at the same time covering all the required areas to create a holistic business model. The framework contributes to startup success by creating a structured approach to business development, helping to visualize the avenues for product differentiation and planning growth. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Business Model–the Perspective of Systems Thinking and Innovation)

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Open AccessArticle

Characterization and Costs of Integrating Blockchain and IoT for Agri-Food Traceability Systems

Miguel Pincheira

Massimo Vecchio

and

Raffaele Giaffreda

Systems 2022, 10(3), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030057 - 25 Apr 2022

Abstract

An increasing amount of research focuses on integrating the Internet of Things and blockchain technology to address the requirements of traceability applications for Industry 4.0. However, there has been little quantitative analysis of several aspects of these new blockchain-based traceability systems. For instance, very few works have studied blockchain’s impact on the resources of constrained IoT sensors. Similarly, the infrastructure costs of these blockchain-based systems are not widely understood. This paper characterizes the resources of low-cost IoT sensors and provides a monetary cost model for blockchain infrastructure to support blockchain-based traceability systems. First, we describe and implement a farm-to-fork case study using public and private blockchain networks. Then, we analyze the impact of blockchain in six different resource-limited IoT devices in terms of disk and memory footprint, processing time, and energy consumption. Next, we present an infrastructure cost model and use it to identify the costs for the public and private networks. Finally, we evaluate the traceability of a product in different scenarios. Our results showed that low-cost sensors could directly interact with both types of blockchains with minimal energy overhead. Furthermore, our cost model showed that setting a private blockchain infrastructure costs approximately the same as that managing 50 products on a public blockchain network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers of Agents and Multiagent Systems)

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Open AccessReview

A Literature Review of Social Commerce Research from a Systems Thinking Perspective

Xintian Wang

Hai Wang

and

Caiming Zhang

Systems 2022, 10(3), 56; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030056 - 24 Apr 2022

Abstract

The paper aims to investigate social commerce systems from a systems thinking perspective. It proposes to model the social commerce process and outlines how Following, Communicating, Purchasing, and Sharing are systematically connected with each other in the social commerce process. The paper describes an exploratory review study using the systematic literature review method, including 384 social commerce research papers, which were published from 2011 to 2021. The data are refined by documentary analysis, including Study Selection Criteria and Quality Assessment processes. The paper systematically develops a conceptual framework for understanding social commerce. Previous research on social commerce mainly focuses on one or more particular key success factors (such as trust) in social commerce, and a few of them investigate social commerce as an integral business system. This review provides a more comprehensive basis for future social commerce research. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Business Model–the Perspective of Systems Thinking and Innovation)

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Open AccessArticle

Pricing Game between Customized Bus and Conventional Bus with Combined Operational Objectives

Jun Li

Xiaoman Feng

and

Bicen Jia

Systems 2022, 10(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030055 - 24 Apr 2022

Abstract

Social welfare and profit are two main factors to be included in the operational goal of bus services. It is assumed that conventional bus services are “welfare pro” with more consideration of social welfare, while customized bus services are “profit pro” with more consideration of profit, and the goal of each bus service is to maximize the overall payoffs, namely, the weighted sum of social welfare and profit. A bi-level pricing game is proposed to shed light on the impact of two bus services’ pricing competition on the payoffs when the operational objectives with different weights of social welfare are adopted. A case study shows that the pricing strategies of conventional bus services have a significant impact on the customized bus services. The customized bus operator should consider more “social welfare” to attract customers and to achieve the overall payoffs when the conventional bus service takes a high price strategy, and the customized bus operator can take a strategy of a high price to maintain its overall payoffs when the conventional bus operator maximizes the social welfare. It is found that there exists a trade-off by which both sides obtain the balanced overall payoffs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Toward the New Era of Sustainable Design, Manufacturing and Management)

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Open AccessArticle

Bstick: Handheld Virtual Reality Haptic Controller for Hand Rehabilitation

Ginam Ko

and

SangHun Nam

Systems 2022, 10(3), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030054 - 23 Apr 2022

Abstract

This study proposes Bstick, the first handheld-type haptic controller that can monitor and control the placement of five fingers in real-time using linear motors attached on the fingers. As a handheld device, it can be used with both hands, and it was designed and produced to allow it to be freely moved and used with other virtual reality (VR) devices via Bluetooth. Bstick also provides stiffness that can maintain the pressing forces of an adult man’s fingers, providing a realistic sense of grabbing and controlling a virtual object with rigidity and softness. By changing the location of the finger buttons, the device can render virtual objects of various shapes and sizes. A component that can be implemented in the Unity game engine was developed to provide convenience in the content development, using a haptic controller feature where a user can move five fingers independently, and this was applied for hand rehabilitation contents. Bstick includes five linear motors that can sustain approximately 22 N of force per finger, and the hardware and circuitry are compact, so as to be held in the user’s hand. Bstick can be used to create VR services and contents based on five-fingered force feedback using a haptic controller that can independently manage the motions of five fingers, and Unity game engine software that can modify hardware. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Extended Reality Application and Management Systems)

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Open AccessCommunication

Problems with Abstract Observers and Advantages of a Model-Centric Cybernetics Paradigm

Mick Ashby

Systems 2022, 10(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10030053 - 19 Apr 2022

Abstract

Since 1974, when Heinz von Foerster made the distinction between “the cybernetics of observed systems” as first-order cybernetics (1oC) and “the cybernetics of observing systems” as second-order cybernetics (2oC), cybernetics has been dominated by this observer-centric paradigm that he claimed cannot be extended meaningfully to a third order. Rather than attempting to extend his paradigm, we derive an alternative, model-centric cybernetics paradigm from the first principles of regulation, which naturally extends to three orders, where the third order is ethical regulation. We thus consider a type of regulator that requires a third model and a third observer: if the third model is a model of acceptable (ethical) situations, then a third observer is a necessary element of the system’s “conscience” that prevents any violations of the model of ethical situations. In this paradigm, the cybernetics of systems that are designed to exhibit ethical behaviour can be characterized as third-order cybernetics (3oC). By being able to extend the paradigm to include ethical systems, the model-centric paradigm brings clarity and utility that is not possible using the observer-centric paradigm and its under-specified (abstract) observers. Finally, new definitions for cybernetics are proposed that clearly differentiate between the science of cybernetics and the philosophy of cybernetics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Collected papers from ISSS)

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Special Issue in Systems

Digital Transformation in Services Production Systems and Product Manufacturing Guest Editors: Ikpe Justice Akpan, Bamidele Adebisi, Murali S. Shanker
Deadline: 30 June 2022

Special Issue in Systems

Data Driven Decision-Making for Complex Production Systems Guest Editors: Zaoli Yang, Yuchen Li, Ibrahim Kucukkoc
Deadline: 20 July 2022

Special Issue in Systems

Research Trends on the Development of Integrated and Robust Social Development Management Systems Guest Editors: Jinan Fiaidhi, Aboul Ella Hassanien, Hye-jin Kim
Deadline: 31 July 2022

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Topical Collection in Systems

System Dynamics Collection Editor: Vladimír Bureš

Topical Collection in Systems

Systems Engineering Collection Editor: Vladimír Bureš

Topical Collection in Systems

Collected papers from ISSS Collection Editors: Javier Calvo-Amodio, David Rousseau

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