Papers

Self-Organization, Emergence and Multi-Agent Systems

by Jonathan Gabbai on October 15, 2005

Abstract. We begin by describing the importance of emergence in industry and the need, in certain situations, to move away from a reduction mind-set to a more holist approach. We define the term emergence in context of self-organizing systems, autopoiesis and chaotic systems. We then examine a field that is commonly used to explore emergence and selforganization, namely agent and multi-agent systems. After an overview of this field, we highlight the most appropriate aspects of agent research used in aiding the understanding of emergence. We conclude with an example of our recent research where we measure agent emergent performance and flexibility and relate it to the make-up of the agent organization.

Citation. Gabbai, J. M. E., Yin, H., Wright, W. A., and Allinson, N. M., “Self-Organization, Emergence and Multi-Agent Systems,” in IEEE International Conference on Neural Networks and Brain, Wang, S., et al., Eds. Berlin: Springer Verlag Heidelberg, Beijing, China: IEEE, 2005, pp. TBC.

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Visualisation of Multi Agent System Organisations using a Self-Organising Map of Pareto Solutions

by Jonathan Gabbai on August 26, 2004

Abstract. The structure and performance of organisations – natural or man-made – are intricately linked, and these multifaceted interactions are increas-ingly being investigated using Multi Agent System concepts. This paper shows how a selection of generic structural metrics for organisations can be explored using a combination of Pareto Frontier exemplars, from extensive simulations of simple goal-orientated Multi Agent Systems, and exposé of organisational types through Self-Organising Map clusters can provide insights into desirable structures for such objectives as robustness and efficiency.

Citation. Gabbai, J. M. E., Wright, W. A., and Allinson, N. M., “Visualisation of Multi- Agent System Organisations using a Self-Organising Map of Pareto Solutions,” in Intelligent Data Engineering and Automated Learning (IDEAL 04), Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Yang, Z. R., et al., Eds. Exeter, UK: Springer, 2004, pp. 841-847.

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Trends, Implications and Overview of Complex Organizations with a Focus on the Aerospace Industry

June 25, 2004

Abstract. The Aerospace Industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, both at product level and manufac-turing and support levels. We draw upon our experience in this sector to illustrate the increasing challenges that large scale complex organizations, exemplified by this sector, are facing. We examine why traditional methodologies are no longer globally appropriate and [...]

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Measuring and Visualizing Organizations by Relating Structure to Performance

August 22, 2003

Abstract. Within a Multi Agent System (MAS) environment, principled metrics are developed that encapsulate the structure and performance of organizations. From extensive simulation work, we can explore performance/cost/structure trade-offs; and, by incorporating data visualization techniques, we can observe the emergence of organization classes and begin to identify optimum organizational structures to meet specified constraints and [...]

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Engineering Doctorates

May 2, 2003

Citation. Gabbai, J. M. E., “Engineering Doctorates,” in The Aerospace Professional, May 2003, pp. 18. After graduating you either go into industry or stay at university as a postgraduate, right? I thought that was the case when I completed my Aerospace Engineering degree at the University of Manchester. But as someone who enjoyed both the [...]

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Relating Organisational Structure to Performance: An Initial Focus on Centralisation

October 8, 2002

Abstract. This paper will focus on relating organisational structure with organisational performance. We first outline the motivation behind this research, from both industrial and academic perspectives. After defining the problem and the research aim, an outline of organisational performance metrics is provided, followed by a detailed look at the centralisation metric. Finally, using our testbed [...]

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