This book adopts the logic of Systems Thinking and Control Systems, presenting a simple but complete theory called the Theory of Combinatory Systems. This new theory describes, interprets, explains, and simulates collective phenomena and their observable effects. Such collective phenomena many of which are one way", non-repeatable or reproducible can all be described and understood using the model, as simple as it is general, of combinatory systems; that is, systems formed by collectivities, or populations of non-connected and unorganized individuals of some species, which appear to be directed by an invisible hand that guides the analogous actions of similar individuals in order to produce an emerging collective phenomenon.

This edition includes enhanced theories such as an analysis of potential interactions between combinatory systems and their dynamics, highlighting the role of the environment in which such systems operate. It also includes new examples and enhanced figures that illustrate how combinatory systems are observed in social, biological and physical contexts.

Establishes the Theory of Combinatory Systems which describes collective phenomena and their observable effects Describes the heuristic models of several relevant Combinatory Systems in context Presents the theory of Combinatory Automata a tool for building models simulating operative logic of combinatory systems

Autorentext

Piero Mella is Full Professor of Business Economics and Control Theory in 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: The Holonic Revolution. Holons, Holarchies and Holonic Networks. The Ghost in the Production Machine (Pavia University Press. Pavia, 2009), Systems Thinking: Intelligence in Action (Springer, 2012), The Magic Ring: Systems Thinking Approach to Control Systems (Springer, 2014) and The Combinatory Systems Theory. Understanding, modeling and simulating collective phenomena (Springer, 2017).

Inhalt

The Theory of Combinatory Systems.- The Observable Variety Heuristic Models of Combinatory Systems.- Simulation Models The Combinatory Automaton.- The Heuristic Value of Combinatory Systems Theory.