International Journal of Applied Systemic Studies (4 papers in press)

• A New Fourth Order Embedded RKGHeM(4,4) Method with Error Control for Connected Component Detector
  by senthilkumar sukumar 
  Abstract: The aim of this paper is focused on proposing a versatile algorithm for simulating CNN arrays for connected component detector is implemented using RK methods based on Geomentric Mean (GM) and Heronian Mean (HeM). The function of the simulator is capable of performing connected component detector for any kind as well as any size of input image. Simulation results and comparison have also been presented to show the efficiency of the RK-Embedded Heronian Mean. Furthermore, a more quantitative analysis has been carried out to clearly visualize the goodness and robustness of the proposed algorithm.
  Keywords: Numerical Integration Techniques, Cellular Neural Networks, New Embedded RKGHeM Method, Connected Component Detector, Ordinary Differential Equations.
   
• A Systems-based Complexity Management Framework for Collaborative e-Government Services
  by Konstadinos Kutsikos, Gerasimos Kontos 
  Abstract: The focus of this article is to explore the issue of managing complexity in a collaborative environment of entities working together to deliver public e-services. The relevant research questions that the authors aim to investigate are: a) how complex are the information management issues for e-government services provision when multiple and potentially conflicting stakeholders are involved; b) how this complexity can be resolved and mapped onto practical frameworks and methodologies for developing e-government services. In order to address these issues, we explore in detail ‘lessons learnt’ in collaboration complexity management within scientific disciplines characterized by the study of interconnected entities. Systems science is one such discipline and a system model that best approximates an ecosystem of collaborating organizations is the Viable System Model. Its properties are analyzed and used as the basis for developing our collaboration complexity management framework for e-government.
  Keywords: e-government, systems theory, collaboration complexity, cross-entity information flows
   
• Measuring the effect of financial incentives on a region's development: a statistical process control approach
  by KATERINA DIMAKI, Vasilis Angelis, Stelios Psarakis, Ilias Virras 
  Abstract: The state of development of a given region at a point in time may be expressed through its "Image", an index describing the region’s general economic and social conditions. In terms of this framework a region may be seen as a "production unit" and its Image as the outcome of the region's development process. The State in order to improve the conditions of its less developed regions usually takes a variety of measures. Those measures may be seen as disorder factors for the region's development process. This situation indicates that Statistical Process Control techniques may be an appropriate tool in studying regional development issues. In the paper we present the concept of an area’s Image as well as a number of SPC techniques which we apply to data drawn from the 51 counties of Greece in order to test their suitability in measuring the effect of two Regional Development Acts.
  Keywords: Regional Development, Image of a Region, Chart, S Chart, EWMA Chart, Var EWMA Chart, MaxEWMA Chart
   
• Managing the socio-technical energy system of industrial plants and buildings: the new tool “BI.EN.”
  by THEODORA KOULOURA 
  Abstract: In this work a new tool for the sustainable energy management is introduced. This tool, labeled “BIEN”, is offered as a software package and it can be used for the managing and supervision of various industrial units by the end users. The used approach follows Ashby’ law for the requisite variety, which states that only variety can absorb variety, and taking into account that in most cases of Enterprise’s management, the absorbing variety is limited to the changes of the Enterprise’s environment, it produces a software tool which acts as an appropriate attenuator. The way that this tool works is to point out the necessary directions to be followed, for the efficient sustainable management of the complex socio-technical energy system of an Enterprise. Moreover, this tool can show the resulted situation after applying a proposed plan of modifications to an Enterprise and as such it can be considered as a valuable managing tool for managers and decision-makers, as well as an indicative framework for external auditors.
  Keywords: VSM tool, sustainable energy management, Industrial systems