Text 3. The Black Box Technique

Let us consider first the idea of complexity and what is meant by this. The complexity of a system is the combined outcome of the interaction of four main determinants:

1. The number of elements comprising the system;

2. The interactions among these elements;

3. The attributes of the specified elements of the system;

4. The degree of organization in the system (i.e., whether there are predetermined rules guiding the interactions or specifying the attributes).

It is extremely important to consider the last two of these factors in judging complexity. On the face of it, a car engine can look complex in terms of the number of elements and interactions, but in fact is relatively simple because of the limited attributes of the specified elements and the high degree of organization in the system. A two-person interaction may appear simple, but in fact can be very complex once we add in the diverse attributes of humans and the lack of specified organization in many such systems. Considering these four determinants of complexity, it is obvious how complexity can soon proliferate alarmingly in organizations. Exceedingly complex systems, which are so complicated that they cannot be described in any precise or detailed fashion, will be common. These systems, it follows, cannot be easily examined in order to discover what processes are responsible for system behaviour. In cybernetics, a system of this type is called a “black box.” By contrast, a box within which all possible states are observable and can be understood is “transparent.” Organizations and their environments are close to being black boxes. In order to cope with black boxes, managers and their advisers need to gain some knowledge of system behaviour, even if they can never fully understand what causes the behaviour. How can this be achieved?

The way not to proceed in approaching an exceedingly complex system - a black box - is by analysis. Reductionist analysis of each of the separate parts of the system will never enable whole interactions to be understood. If we take a complex system apart for analysis, we find that we cannot reassemble it in a way that produces the same pattern of behaviour. Instead of analysis, therefore, the black box technique of input manipulation and output classification should be employed. By this procedure, an experimenter may discover some regularities that make the system more predictable.

Managers of complex enterprises cannot hope to understand all the possible combinations of interactions within the systems under their control. They should not, therefore, seek to proceed by analysis, but should apply the black box technique of manipulating inputs and observing outputs. Faced with a black box, a manager does not have to enter it to learn something about it. Instead, the system is investigated by the collection of a long protocol, drawn out in time, showing the sequence of input and output states. The manager can then manipulate the inputs to try to find regularities in the outputs. Initially, if nothing is known about the box, random variations of input will be as good as any. As regularities become established, a more directed program of research can be conducted.

There are problems with the black box technique, as when a particular experiment changes a system to such an extent that it cannot be returned to its original state for further experiments. It is also very important not to jump to conclusions about the behaviour of a system without observing it for a sufficient length of time. Nevertheless, it is an important tool that managers have to use at all times, because only by working with black boxes can they avoid being overwhelmed by confusing detail. The more conscious they become of this, the more informed will be the way they break down their organizations into black boxes for control purposes. Once this level of sophistication is reached, the technique can be seen to have profound implications for organizational modelling and for the design of appropriate information systems.

 

Exercise 19. Answer the questions on text 3.

1. What determines the complexity of a system? 2. Is a car engine a complex or simple system? 3. Why is examination of the system essential? 4. What can you discover while examining the system?    5. What is called a “black box” in cybernetics? 6. What is a transparent system? 7. How do we call the analysis of each of the separate parts of the system? 8. What is the disadvantage of the reductionist analysis? 9. What is the black box technique? 10. What is the advantage of the black box technique? 11. What should managers of complex enterprises apply in order to find the regularities in the organization? 12. Why is observing a system for a sufficient length of time important? 13.What level of sophistication should managers reach for the black box technique to have profound implications for appropriate organizational modeling?

 

Exercise 20. Find English equivalents.

Комплексність системи; кількість елементів; взаємодія основних визначальних факторів; насправді; відносно простий; взаємодія двох людей; це є очевидним; спричиняти зміни в поведінці; навпаки; для того, щоб виявити; під контролем; застосувати класифікацію вихідних даних; експериментатор; явища, які повторюються; передбачений; в такій мірі; належні інформаційні системи.

 

Exercise 21. Translate into Ukrainian.

In terms of; the number of elements; on the face of it; to take something apart; to brake down; in order to cope with; to gain some knowledge; observable and transparent; pattern of behaviour; profound implication; confusing details; level of sophistication; organizational modelling and design.

Exercise 22. Find the synonyms among the following: lack of something, precise, shortage, exact, arrangement, careful, complicated, deficit, organization, to make something happen, establishment, to cause, enterprise, planning, thoroughful, complex, reduction, decrease.

 

Exercise 23. Choose the correct form of the Passive Voice.

1. These characteristics … as main determinants (are considered; was considered). 2. The elements … at the moment (were specified; are being specified). 3. All possible states … already (are being observed; have been observed). 4. The processes … by the end of that experiment (had been discovered; are discovered). 5. This technique … from the beginning till the end of our research (was being applied; were applied). 6. Precise description … tomorrow (will be provided; was provided). 7. Diverse attributes of humans … by the next experiment (will have been added; are added). 8. The system … yesterday (will be investigated; was investigated).

 

Exercise 24. Compose a dialogue on “Black Box Technique”

 

Exercise 25. Learn the following words and word combinations.

bring about	– викликати/спричиняти щось
threaten	– погрожувати
induce	– викликати щось, стимулювати, призводити до чогось
environmental disturbance	– порушення в навколишньому середовищі
intervene	– втручатися
probabilistic system	– система вірогідності
come about	– виникати
pursue the goal	– йти до мети
requisite variety	– необхідне розмаїття
prevailing conditions	– домінуючі умови; умови, що превалюють
closed-loop	– замкнутий цикл, петля, контур
margin of error	– межа погрішності, помилки
adjustment	– адаптація; регулювання; настройка
discrepancy	– різниця, протиріччя, несумісність
lag	– відставання, запізнення; відставати
slump	– різке падіння
accord	– єдність; гармонія; відповідність
comparator	– блок/устрій для порівняння, компаратор

 

Exercise 26 . Read, translate and give the gist of text 4.

 

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