Preface xi
 
1 Introduction and Overview 1
 
Systems Perspectives 2
 
Systems Movement 3
 
Philosophical Background 3
 
Seminal Concepts - Systems Science 5
 
Seminal Concepts - Economics/Cognition 6
 
Seminal Concepts - Operations Research 7
 
Seminal Concepts - Sociology 8
 
Complexity and Complex Systems 8
 
Complex Versus Complicated Systems 11
 
Systems Practice 13
 
Phenomena as the Starting Point 19
 
Oveview of Book 20
 
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview 20
 
Chapter 2: Overall Methodology 21
 
Chapter 3: Perspectives on Phenomena 21
 
Chapter 4: Physical Phenomena 21
 
Chapter 5: Human Phenomena 21
 
Chapter 6: Economic Phenomena 22
 
Chapter 7: Social Phenomena 22
 
Chapter 8: Visualization of Phenomena 22
 
Chapter 9: Computational Methods and Tools 23
 
Chapter 10: Perspectives on Problem Solving 23
 
References 23
 
2 Overall Methodology 27
 
Introduction 27
 
Problem Archetypes 29
 
Deterring or Identifying Counterfeit Parts 29
 
Financial Systems and Bursting Bubbles 30
 
Human Responses and Urban Resilience 30
 
Traffic Control via Congestion Pricing 31
 
Impacts of Investments in Healthcare Delivery 31
 
Human Biology and Cancer 31
 
Comparison of Problems 32
 
Methodology 33
 
Summary 35
 
An Example 36
 
Supporting the Methodology 40
 
Conclusions 41
 
References 41
 
3 Perspectives on Phenomena 43
 
Introduction 43
 
Definitions 43
 
Historical Perspectives 46
 
Steam to Steamboats 46
 
Wind to Wings 47
 
Electricity to Electric Lights 47
 
Macro and Micro Physics 47
 
Probability and Utility 48
 
Contemporary Perspectives 48
 
Four Fundamental Forces 48
 
Computational Fluid Dynamics 49
 
Integrated Circuit Design 49
 
Supply Chain Management 50
 
Summary 50
 
Taxonomy of Phenomena 50
 
Behavioral and Social Systems 52
 
Problems versus Phenomena 54
 
Visualizing Phenomena 54
 
Conclusions 58
 
References 59
 
4 Physical Phenomena 61
 
Introduction 61
 
Natural Phenomena 61
 
Example - Human Biology 64
 
Example - Urban Oceanography 67
 
Designed Phenomena 69
 
Example - Vehicle Powertrain 73
 
Example - Manufacturing Processes 75
 
Deterring or Identifying Counterfeit Parts 76
 
Conclusions 80
 
References 80
 
5 Human Phenomena 83
 
Descriptive Versus Prescriptive Approaches 84
 
Models of Human Behavior and Performance 86
 
Example - Manual Control 87
 
Example - Problem Solving 89
 
Example - Multitask Decision Making 90
 
Traffic Control Via Congestion Pricing 92
 
Mental Models 95
 
Team Mental Models 99
 
Performing Arts Teams 101
 
Fundamental Limits 104
 
Conclusions 107
 
References 107
 
6 Economic Phenomena 111
 
Introduction 111
 
Microeconomics 113
 
Theory of the Firm 113
 
Theory of the Market 114
 
Example - Optimal Pricing 114
 
Example - Investing in People 118
 
Summary 119
 
Macroeconomics 119
 
Tax Rates Interest Rates and Inflation 120
 
Macroeconomic Models 126
 
Summary 128
 
Behavioral Economics 128
 
Prospect