Overview
- Establishes a simple but complete theory called the Theory of Combinatory Systems, which is able to describe, interpret, explain, simulate and control collective phenomena and their observable effects
- Presents the theory of Combinatory Automata and build models for simulating the operative logic of combinatory systems
- Describes the heuristic models of several relevant Combinatory Systems in the context of five typical classes (which differ in regards to their macro behavior and/or their macro effect)
Part of the book series: Contemporary Systems Thinking (CST)
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Table of contents (4 chapters)
Keywords
About this book
The Combinatory Systems Theory: Understanding, Modeling and Simulating Collective Phenomena is composed of four main chapters. Chapter 1 presents the basic ideas behind the theory, which are analysed in some detail. Chapter 2 describes the heuristic models of several relevant combinatory systems observable in different environments. Chapter 3, while not making particular use of sophisticated mathematical and statistical tools, presents the Theory of Combinatory Automata and builds models for simulating the operative logic of combinatory systems. Chapter 4 tries to answer three questions: are combinatory systems “systems” in the true sense of the term? Why is this theory able to explain so many and so varied a number of phenomena, even though it is based on a very simple modus operandi? Are combinatory systems different than complex systems? The book has been written with no prerequisite required to read and understand it, in particular math, statistics and computer knowledge.
Authors and Affiliations
About the author
Piero Mella is Full Professor of Business Economics and Control Theory at the Faculty of Economics, University of Pavia. In the past he has been the Dean of the Faculty as well as the Director of its Department of Business Research. He has authored dozens of publications (among which a treatise entitled Amministrazione d’Impresa [Management of the Firm], UTET Press), and for years he has researched systems theory from multiple perspectives. His recent essays about Systems theory include: Guida al Systems Thinking [A Guide to Systems Thinking] (Il Sole24Ore, Milano, 2007) and Sistemi di controllo [Control Systems] (Franco Angeli, Milano, 2008), and Systems Thinking: Intelligence in Action (2012). He has developed the Theory of Combinatory Systems; he is editor of the journal "Economia Aziendale on-line".
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Combinatory Systems Theory
Book Subtitle: Understanding, Modeling and Simulating Collective Phenomena
Authors: Piero Mella
Series Title: Contemporary Systems Thinking
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-54805-0
Publisher: Springer Cham
eBook Packages: Business and Management, Business and Management (R0)
Copyright Information: Springer International Publishing AG 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-54803-6Published: 18 May 2017
Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-85487-8Published: 08 August 2018
eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-54805-0Published: 11 May 2017
Series ISSN: 1568-2846
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: XVI, 287
Number of Illustrations: 3 b/w illustrations, 120 illustrations in colour
Topics: Knowledge Management, Complex Systems, Computer Appl. in Social and Behavioral Sciences