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World-systems theory is analyzed in the context of general systems theory, outlining some basic concepts of the latter that are of particular relevance to the former. Particular attention is devoted to the notion of dissipative structures, borrowed from physical chemistry, which extended Newtonian mechanics to the study of open systems, ie, those that exchanged matter & energy with their environments. The characteristics of the world system as a dissipative structure are discussed, & contributions of the theory of dissipative structures to world-systems analysis are identified. 54 References. K. Hyatt Stewart

Traditional sciences are narrowly specialized into selected viewpoints and parts of reality. This causes important insights and oversights that are supposed to be resolved by cybernetics and systems theory. The General Systems Theory fights over‐specialization; cybernetics grew from interdisciplinary cooperation practicing this fight. More holism and wholeness result. The Dialectical Systems Theory adds methodology to support attainment of requisite holism and wholeness by influencing human attributes and methods. This makes it universally applicable. Its applied method USOMID and De Bono's Six Thinking Hats are very close and can be combined. The new concepts of social responsibility exposing 'interdependence and holistic approach' apply a very comparable concept and are found helpful against the current crisis as a consequence of over‐specialization. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This article examines the role of a psychiatric consultant in a psy chiatric hospital undergoing a major change. The principles of group phenomenon, systems theory, sentient, task, and basic as sumption groups were utilized in diagnosis of organizational re gression, elucidation of its precipitants, and strategies for helping the organization towards higher level of integration in face of po tentially regressive changes.

"Luhmann and Systems Theory" published on by Oxford University Press.

AbstractThe paper investigates if a living system according to Miller's living systems theory is a viable system according to Beer's viable systems theory and vice versa. Miller's and Beer's theories are briefly reviewed and translated into one cybernetic approach. The comparison of their functional and structural commonalties and differences shows: Miller's theory allows simple structures, below the scope of Beer's approach, which are nevertheless viable, as examples from biology, anthropology and economy show. Beer's viable systems can be derived form Miller's living systems theory, i.e. Beer deals only with issues of viability that emerge with complex living systems. Short considerations of large social units suggest that their structures are not unequivocally determined and may be viable while deviating from Beer's approach, too. Yet such structures can be derived from Miller's theory. It is concluded that Miller's living systems theory covers viability more completely than Beer's viable systems theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.