Transdisciplinary Perspectives on Complex Systems

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-x

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2. Mathematical Characterization of System-of-Systems Attributes

   • W. Clifton Baldwin, Wilson N. Felder

   Pages 1-24

3. So It’s Complex, Why Do I Care?

   • Steven Holt, Paul Collopy, Dianne DeTurris

   Pages 25-48

4. Designer Systems of Systems: A Rational Integrated Approach of System Engineering to Tailored Aerodynamics, Aeroelasticity, Aero-viscoelasticity, Stability, Control, Geometry, Materials, Structures, Propulsion, Performance, Sizing, Weight, Cost

   • Harry H. Hilton, Steven J. D’Urso, Noe Wiener

   Pages 49-84

5. Digital Twin: Mitigating Unpredictable, Undesirable Emergent Behavior in Complex Systems

   • Michael Grieves, John Vickers

   Pages 85-113

6. Managing Systems Complexity Through Congruence

   • Shannon Flumerfelt, Anabela Alves, Javier Calvo-Amodio, Chris Hoyle, Franz-Josef Kahlen

   Pages 115-144

7. Additive Manufacturing: A Trans-disciplinary Experience

   • Paul Witherell, Yan Lu, Al Jones

   Pages 145-175

8. Expanding Sociotechnical Systems Theory Through the Trans-disciplinary Lens of Complexity Theory

   • Lisa Troyer

   Pages 177-192

9. On Complementarity and the Need for a Transdisciplinary Approach in Addressing Emerging Global Health Issues

   • Patrick T. Hester, Muge Akpinar-Elci, James M. Shaeffer Sr., Margaret B. Shaeffer

   Pages 193-212

10. On the Perception of Complexity and Its Implications

    • J. E. Manuse, Bogdan Sniezek

    Pages 213-269

11. Early Phase Estimation of Variety Induced Complexity Cost Effects: A Study on Industrial Cases in Germany

    • Sandra Eilmus, Thomas Gumpinger, Thomas Kipp, Olga Sankowski, Dieter Krause

    Pages 271-303

12. Problem Solving and Increase of Ideality of Complex Systems

    • Helena V. G. Navas

    Pages 305-327

This book presents an internationally comprehensive perspective into the field of complex systems.  It explores the challenges of and approaches to complexity from a broad range of disciplines, including big data, health care, medicine, mathematics, mechanical and systems engineering, air traffic control and finance.  The book’s interdisciplinary character allows readers to identify transferable and mutually exclusive lessons learned among these disciplines and beyond.  As such, it is well suited to the transfer of applications and methodologies between ostensibly incompatible disciplines.  This book provides fresh perspectives on comparable issues of complexity from the top minds on systems thinking.     

• Competency development
• Complex systems
• Complexity
• Decision making
• Organizational systems
• Systems engineering

• Kahlen Global Professional Solutions , Gronau, Germany

  Franz-Josef Kahlen

• Department of Organizational Leadership School of Education and Human Services, Oakland University, Rochester, USA

  Shannon Flumerfelt

• Department of Production and Systems School of Engineering, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

  Anabela Alves

Franz-Josef Kahlen founded his company Kahlen Global Professional Solutions in 2015, focusing on complexity management and competency development.  His main research interests are in the areas of Manufacturing and Operational Excellence, Lean and Systems Engineering, Project Management, Competency Development, and the evolution of Engineering Professional Practice.  Before returning to private industry, he was an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.  He has extensive industry experience in printing, disk drive, biomedical, optics, healthcare service delivery, telecom and several other industries with a customer base in Asia, Europe, US, and Australia.  He is author/co-author of ca. 60 publications, and is asked regularly to present keynotes and invited presentations at conferences.

Shannon Flumerfelt is a tenured Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA. She is also an Endowed Professor of Lean and the Director of Lean Thinking for Schools at The Pawley Lean Institute at Oakland University and holds a PhD in leadership. She has pioneered the CX Framework, a transformative tool that promotes lean and systems thinking applications in organizations. Dr. Flumerfelt is the founder of a lean consultancy, training/coaching and analytics firm and she has worked widely in government service and education organizations.  She has published numerous scholarly and practitioner publications, including books such as, Lean Essentials for School Leaders and Lean Essentials: Transforming the Way We Do Business. She speaks and trains widely on the topics of lean, organizational development, management practices and leadership development.

Anabela C. Alves is a tenured Assistant Professor at the Department of Production and Systems/School of Engineering/University of Minho. She holds a PhD in Productionand Systems Engineering, being affiliated with the Centre ALGORITMI. Her main research interests are in the areas of Production Systems Design and Operation, Lean Manufacturing, Production Planning and Control, Project Management and Engineering Education, with particular interest in active learning methodologies such as Project/Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Lean Education. She is author/coauthor of more than 100 publications in international journals, conferences publications or communications, including the editions of conference proceedings, book chapters and books.. 

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