(1963). Cybernetics, or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine. Technometrics: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 128-130.

Cybernetics, or Control and Communication in the Animal and the Machine

Industry 4.0 in the contemporary operating context carries important sources of complexity. This context generates both traditional risks and emerging risks that must be managed. The management of these risks includes both industrial risks and occupational risks, since they are heavily interlinked. The human factor can be considered the main link between both types of risks. Thus, understanding risks originating from human errors and organizational weaknesses as causes of accidents and other disruptions in complex systems requires elaborating sophisticated modeling approaches. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose an organizational and human performance approach to improve the emerging risk management linked to the complex systems, like as Human-Machine Interactions (HMI) and Human-Robot Interaction (HRI). To fulfill this objective, we first introduce the concept of emerging risk linked to human factor. Then, we introduce the concept of emerging risk management in the Industry 4.0 context. Under this complex context, we expose the concept considering the current models of risk management. Finally, we discuss how enhancing human and organizational performance can be achieved through risk management in complex systems linked to Industry 4.0. Therefore, we conclude that while Industry 4.0 brings numerous advantages, it must contend with emerging risks and challenges associated with organizational and human factors. These emerging risks include industrial risks as well as occupational risks. Moreover, the human factor aspect of Industry 4.0 is directly linked to industrial emerging and occupational emerging via context of operations. To cope with these new challenges, it is necessary to develop new approaches. One of such approaches is Complex System Governance. This approach is discussed along with the need for adequate organizational and human performance models dealing with, for example, experience from other domains such as nuclear, space, aviation, and petrochemical.

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Emerging Risk Management in Industry 4.0: An Approach to Improve Organizational and Human Performance in the Complex Systems

Complex system governance (CSG) is an emerging field focused on purposeful development of control, communication, coordination, and integration functions necessary to produce and sustain desirable levels of system performance. In this paper, we develop a CSG reference model. Following an introduction to the CSG field, the paper focuses on three primary objectives to support development of a reference model. First, the conceptual foundations and role of the CSG reference model are established. These conceptual foundations rest in systems theory and management cybernetics and establish the essential philosophical and theoretical underpinnings. Second, we introduce the reference model by first discussing the nature, role, and utility for the model. We then expound each of the nine integrated functions of the model. Third, we conclude the paper by suggesting implications for the model and emerging directions with respect to research and practice. In addition, the position of the reference model in the emerging CSG field as well as related fields (e.g., system of systems engineering) is suggested.

Complex system governance reference model

Organizations and practitioners must contend with systems that operate in complex problem domains characterized by increasing complexity, ambiguity, uncertainty, and emergence. Systems thinking (ST) has been suggested as a framework of thought, based in holistic understanding of systems, to aid in dealing with increasingly complex systems and their problems. The primary contribution of the paper is examination of both individual capacity and corresponding organizational competence related to ST as a response to more effectively navigate the complex problem domain facing practitioners and organizations. Following a short introduction, we have organized the paper to explore four primary areas. First, we examine the nature of the complex problem domain confronting organizations and practitioners. Second, we suggest individual capacity and organizational competence as two essential areas necessary for ST to offer a response to more effectively navigate the complex problem domain. Third, we present an in depth examination of individual capacity for ST. Fourth, we develop a perspective of organizational competencies in relation to engaging ST. The paper concludes with a discussion of the challenges and implications for further development and application of ST.

Individual Capacity and Organizational Competency for Systems Thinking

An introduction to cybernetics.

The broad set of propositions identified in systems literature (circa 1900–2000s) provides an adequate, largely comprehensive subset of the complete set of all systems theory propositions. Discoverers' induction can then be applied to integrate common ideas among propositions in order to produce a set of generalised laws (axioms). A proposal for a systems theory construct resting on an axiomatic set supported by unified systems theory propositions was presented by Adams et al. (2014). This paper refines the work of Adams et al. using discoverer's induction and further describes the axioms provided and their role in complex systems.

Systems theory as a foundation for governance of complex systems

Complex systems are comprised of subsystems that operate together for a common goal that is not achievable by each subsystem. Governance of complex systems is defined as design, execution, and evolution of the metasystem functions necessary to provide control, communication, coordination, and integration of a complex system. A key governance evolution function is the ability to scan the environment for information that guides the system's operations for goal achieving in the future. While experiencing a significant increase in environmental complexity, the governance function must be capable of increasing its ability to achieve a future state. This paper provides a perspective, grounded in systems theory principles, on the environmental scanning function. This perspective suggests an approach to improving complex system viability.

Dale E. Baugh

Papers

Systems theory as a foundation for governance of complex systems

Environmental scanning implications in the governance of complex systems