A technique for modelling economic agents with bounded and procedural rationality is presented. In this technique an agent has a population of mental models which evolve. This evolution is its learning process. This is embedded within an agent architecture which then exhibits several qualitative characteristics relevant to modelling human-like agents.

A technique for the credible modelling of economic agents with bounded rationality based on the evolutionary techniques is described. The genetic programming paradigm is most suited due to its meaningful and flexible genome. The fact we are aiming to model agents with real characteristics implies a different approach from those evolutionary algorithms designed to efficiently solve specific problems. Some of these are that we use very small populations, it is based on different operators and uses a breeding selection mechanism. It is precisely some of the "pathological" features of this algorithm that capture the target behaviour. Some possibilities for integration of deductive logic-based approaches and the GP paradigm are suggested. An example application of an agent seeking to maximise its utility by modelling its own utility function is briefly described. 1

The main aim of this paper is to present a systemic framework of what the field of Information Systems (IS) is about; its connecting areas and its central theme. It was born out of a search for structure in providing a cohesive picture of the subject and field of IS for students and business managers. The average manager and executive has difficulty in obtaining an integrated and holistic view of information systems, and it is said that this leads to a lack of alignment between IS and the strategic aims of the enterprise. Students, particularly MBA students, have a similar problem. Using a large number of disparate data sources, including a delphic survey of leading academics, the paper adopted a grounded theory approach in developing an integrating framework of five main areas for the field: (1) IS Development,

This dissertation analyses two different paradigms used for the development of a software product, Operating Systems. The targets of research are two groups that operate in very different ways, Microsoft Corporation and the Linux Community. Through the observation of the strategies and methodologies used by these actors in their work, and taking into account the constraints to which they are subject, assesses, from a dynamic perspective, the relative strengths and weaknesses of their competing paradigms. In the dissertation I will analyse the efficiency of the development processes that they have adopted for the design, improvement and enhancement of their products. A theoretical model based on Giovanni Dosis "Technological Paradigms" framework, incorporating institutional, industrial, social and cultural aspects, is constructed and specifically adapted to the software industry case. The private management of technology issues considered during the analysis of the development processes inside different organisations are linked to questions having to do with the evolution of high technology, networked, markets. This analysis lends to assessment of some rationales and potential strategies for public intervention in the Operating Systems industry, taking into account some relevant concerns that have been raised about competitive issues and dominant position in this market, one of strategic importance for the future development of the Information Society

In this paper we build a spatial, aspiration-based model of learning in the context of Cournot oligopoly from whichwewant to explore the conditions that lead to the emergence of cooperation among firms. We

work in progress In this paper, I explore a natural experiment of organizational change from decentralization to centralization in a leading Chinese newspaper. Using a di¤erences-in-di¤erences approach, I …nd that centralization substantially increases the journalists ’ performance in the dimension desired by the newspaper. I provide evidence that the journalists whose jobs are potentially associated with larger private bene…ts respond more to the centralization reform and the journalists whose incentives are more aligned with the newspaper’s goal respond less to the reform. The main …ndings are consistent with recent economic theories of organization that emphasize the tradeo¤s between

As human organizations venture deeper into the information era, the intelligence era, a fresh mindset is inevitable. The paradigmatic shift requires organizations to redesign their structure and operations around intelligence, information processing and nonlinearity. In the emerging environment, organizations are perceived to behave as intelligent corporate beings, in the same manner as biological entities are competing for survival in an ecological system. To accommodate these unavoidable vicissitudes, human organizations need to nurture their own orgmind and to elevate their collective intelligence. A strong need to comprehend intelligent structure, in particular, the intangible deep structure becomes vital, as an effective surface structure emerges only from a coherent orgmind. In addition, as the spaces of order and those of complexity have rather dissimilar characteristics, they have to be planned for and managed differently. Consequently, both deliberate and emergent strategies have to be synthesized and adopted in varying proportions. A more wholesome concept for the new battle plan is the intelligent organization theory.

(MCA), has been put forward as an approach to decision-making that identifies a management option or options that best “satisfices ” the interests of affected stakeholders when the problem to be addressed is complex and the outcomes difficult to quantify. The approach, which facilitates the incorporation of information from multiple disciplines, is recommended as appropriate to address complex natural resource management problems. It is variously claimed that the MODSS approach is effective in improving communication between stakeholder groups that might otherwise have been in conflict. An improved understanding of the natural resource problem being addressed and the options to address the problem, is argued to result in a greater acceptance and therefore compliance to the final choice of action. This report presents the initial findings from a project to assess the effectiveness of a MODSS that was implemented to assist the evaluation and implementation of a number of options to manage an emerging groundwater problem in a catchment area in Far North Queensland.

As humanity immerses deeper into the knowledge intensive era, the mindset for structuring and managing human organizations has to be transformed. Attention has been shifting from tangible to intangible assets. Human thinking systems, the sources where the world’s most intense intrinsic intelligence originates become the key focal center. The human mind is conscious and its dynamic is driven by intelligence that is nonlinear. Arising from consciousness are the two vital mental functions of awareness and mindfulness. They determine the quality of the mental state of the interacting agents. In addition, a high level of intelligence facilitates faster learning. All competitive human beings learn continuously to enhance the quality of their knowledge structures. Consequently, the bio-logic and human decision-making process improve. These activities constitute a critical component of the evolution dynamic. Similarly, in the new context, all human organizations as complex adaptive systems must also nurture their own orgmind and collective intelligence to ensure their relevance and survival. Concurrently, activities such as continuous organizational learning, facilitating effective knowledge management processes, and building quality corporate knowledge

Knowledge Management and Organisational Learning are important, complicated areas. They have become increasingly popular in both practical executive life and to academic theorists over the last 10 to 15 or more years largely as companies have become more decentralised in style, with the waves of reorganisation and mergers,