Title: The nature and behaviour of complex system archetypes

Authors: Walt Akers; Charles B. Keating; Adrian Gheorghe; Andres Sousa-Poza

Addresses: Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA ' Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA ' Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA ' Department of Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Old Dominion University, 241 Kaufman Hall, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA

Abstract: This paper discusses the history of archetypes, their application across various disciplines, and their traditional meaning within the domain of systems theory. In discussing the existing forms, a need is identified for archetypes that can be used to evaluate complex system behaviour. The generalised archetypical environment discussed is framed in terms of time, entropy and variety. Within this environmental framework, six complex system archetypes are developed and described in terms of systems principles and real-world manifestations.

Keywords: complex system governance; complex system behaviour; problem visualisation; complex system archetypes; complex systems; systems theory; time; entropy; variety.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSSE.2015.075488

International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2015 Vol.6 No.4, pp.302 - 326

Received: 18 Jan 2016
Accepted: 19 Jan 2016
Published online: 24 Mar 2016 *

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