An automated food service accounting system allows management to concentrate on the problems at hand. (Author/MLF)

Describes an interactive computer program that can solve most common control problems arising in chemical engineering. (MLH)

Notes that the pursuit of meaning in drama is part of a larger pursuit of the means by which meaning is created and shared. Explains that a systems analysis allows researchers to step back from the subject, to imagine, and construct connections more clearly. Concludes that systems analysis is a useful tool in finding a language appropriate to a…

Describes a study that investigated the use of computer conferencing and face-to-face communications to support the work of student teams in a systems analysis project. Compares differences in decision quality, teams' confidence in the group decision, and teams' satisfaction with the overall decision process. (Author/LRW)

Two studies involving a total of 185 college freshmen illustrate the ways in which family maps--defined through role playing and multidimensional scaling analysis--offer a diagnostic means of understanding current and hypothetical familial interactions, including how children perceive their places in the family. (SLD)

Analyzes the relationship of Saddleback Community College's structure to functions and outcomes in the context of current changes in structure at the state level. (KEH)

Discusses the evolution of mainframe and personal computers, and presents a case study of a network developed at the University of Iowa called the Iowa Computer-Aided Engineering Network (ICAEN) that combines Macintosh personal computers with Apollo workstations. Functional objectives are stressed as the best measure of system performance. (LRW)

Describes the systems approach (the Information-Based School Development Project) used by a large education system in Australia for school review and development, involving a research and a service component to help schools identify, obtain, and organize information they need for their own decision-making. Relates two case studies. (SR)

A behavioral systems analysis approach to higher education was used to design, implement, evaluate, and recycle a computer-based fluency training component of a behavioral instructional system. This component helped 29 students achieve behavior analysis literacy. The computer-based training provided structure, immediate performance feedback, and…

This document describes the construction/simulation software called Stella which can be used in the investigation of dynamic causal models. Topics considered are its built-in perspective of system dynamics and capabilities, its potential drawbacks, and its cognitive implications for educational applications. (JJK)

Examines the relationship between users' expertise, task complexity of information system use, and artificial intelligence to provide the basis for a conceptual framework for considering the role that artificial intelligence might play in information systems. Cognitive and conceptual models are discussed, and cost effectiveness is considered. (27…

Introduces the basic concepts of chaos theory and chaos modeling. Relates chaos theory to qualitative research and factor analysis. Describes some current research in education and psychology using chaos theory. Claims that the philosophical implications of chaos theory have been misapplied in practical terms. (KS)

Discusses knowledge management (KM) and provides a framework to determine what the varied viewpoints of a KM system entail as well as a framework for the economic valuation of KM projects. Highlights include case studies; entropy (measure extent of missing information); business process modeling; and technologies used in KM systems, including…

Universities currently face new environmental demands and significant internal complexities that appear to challenge their traditional modes of work and organization--and thus their very identities. In this essay, Mark Considine argues that the prospect of such changes requires us to reflect carefully upon the theoretical and normative…

The authors discuss potential shortfalls of assistantships and internships in preparing students for practical career application of professional degrees and describe the benefits to overall development of courses eliciting performance in authentic scenarios. This article explores what is necessary, not only to teach, but also to learn, human…