Skip to main content

Advertisement

Springer Nature Link
Log in

‘SoS call’ at the other edge of chaos

  • Published:
Journal of Systems Science and Complexity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

The focus of this study is to understand and pave the way to build theory of System of Systems (SoS). The authors try to marshal the established thoughts and develop new insights to shed light on the topic. Although the research thrashes the proposed rudimentary concepts, yet they are important to caste clarity to lay the concrete foundation for the emerging concept of SoS. The first part of the paper discusses about the conceptual milieu of SoS. It tries to help resolve their identity crisis by proposing two edges of chaos. SoS and monolithic systems self-organize at two opposite edges. Then the research work defines SoS locus on extended system of systems methodology (E-SoSM) framework, and dissects it to decode its contradictory and aberrant behavior. Upon this understanding, the second part traces out the incapacitation of traditional military techniques for asymmetric warfare, typifying with a friendly fire incident of the current Afghan War. Seeing through this lens, conjures up that military SoS and anti SoS (enemy) fight to annihilate each other during the clashes of systems of systems in the theater of war.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Nakamura T and Kijima K, System of System Failure: Meta Methodology to Prevent System Failures System of Systems, Edited by Gheorghe A V, Rijeka, InTech, 2012, 31–56.

  2. Watts D J, Six Degrees: The Science of a Connected Age, Norton, New York, 2003.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Sousa-Poza A, Kovacic S, and Keating C, System of systems engineering: an emerging multidiscipline, International Journal of System of Systems Engineering, 2008, 1(1/2): 1–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Keating C B, Research foundations for system of systems engineering, IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Waikoloa, Hawaii, 2005, 3: 2720–2725.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Bar-Yam Y, The characteristics and emerging behaviors of system of systems, NECSI: Complex Physical, Biological and Social Systems Project, 2004, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Clark J O, System of systems engineering and family of systems engineering from a standards, V-model, and dual-V model perspective, IEEE 3rd Annual International Systems Conference, British Columbia, Canada, 23–26 March 2009, 381–387.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Dahmann J, Integrating systems engineering and test & evaluation in system of systems development, IEEE International Systems Conference (SysCon), Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 19–22 March 2012, 1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Mahmood A and Montagna F, Making lean smart by using system-of-systems’ approach, IEEE Systems Journal, 2013, doi: 10.1109/JSYST.2013.2244801.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Maier M W, Architecting principles for system of systems, Systems Engineering, 1998, 1(4): 267–284.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Waldrop M M, Complexity: The Emerging Science at the Edge of Order and Chaos, Viking, London, 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kauffman S A, The Origins of Order: Self-Organization and Selection in Evolution, Oxford University Press, 1993.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Nicolis G and Prigogine I, Self-Organization in Non-Equilibrium Systems, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-02401-5, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Jackson M C and Keys P, Towards a system of systems methodologies, Journal of the Operational Research Society, 1984, 35(6): 473–486.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Checkland P B, Systems Thinking, Systems Practice, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK, 1981.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Sauser B and Boardman J, Taking hold of system of systems management, Engineering Management Journal, 2008, 20(4): 44–49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Holland J H, Studying complex adaptive systems, Journal of Systems Science and Complexity, 2006, 19(1): 1–8.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. Kauffman S, At Home in the Universe-The Search for the Laws of Self-Organization and Complexity, Oxford University Press, New York, 1995.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Anteroinen J and Lehtonen J M, The enterprise architecture approach to support concept development in a military context: A case study evaluation of EA’s benefits, Journal of Enterprise Architecture, 2012, 8(1): 63–75.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Kober A, The Israel defense forces and the Second Lebanon War: Why the poor performance?, The Journal of Strategic Studies, 2008, 31(1): 3–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Dahmann J S and Baldwin K J, Understanding the current state of US defense systems of systems and the implications for systems engineering, SysCon 2008-IEEE International Systems Conference Montreal, Canada, April 7–10, 2008, 1–7.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  21. NATO, SAS-050 conceptual model version 1.0. http://www.dodccrp.org/files/SAS-050%20Final%20Report.pdf, 2006.

  22. Domerçant J C and Mavris D N, Measuring the architectural complexity of military systems-ofsystems, IEEE Aerospace Conference, Big Sky, Montana, USA, 5–12 March 2011, 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Clark S A, USAF, Investigation into an incident in the vicinity of the Salala checkpoint on the night of 25–26 November 2011, http://www.scribd.com/doc/76531682/Salala-Report-November-2011.

  24. Quinn A and Nauman Q, http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/03/us-pakistan-usa-natoidUSBRE8620TP20120703, Published on Tuesday Jul 3, 2012, retrieved September 4, 2012.

  25. Whitlock C (2 July 2011), Washington Post, “U.S. turns to other routes to supply Afghan war as relations with Pakistan fray”, Retrieved September 4, 2012.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Clinton H (3 July 2012), “Statement by Secretary Clinton on her Call With Pakistani Foreign Minister Khar (Press Release Number (PRN) 2012/1084)”, United States Department of State, Retrieved 4 July 2012.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Business & Management, University of Engineering and Technology, 54890, GT Road, Lahore, Pakistan

    Asif Mahmood

Authors
  1. Asif Mahmood
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Asif Mahmood.

Additional information

This paper was recommended for publication by Editor WANG Shouyang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mahmood, A. ‘SoS call’ at the other edge of chaos. J Syst Sci Complex 29, 133–150 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11424-015-3189-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11424-015-3189-y

Keywords