Research directions in SoSE

Abstract

Research directions in system of systems are examined and areas which have been relatively neglected are identified. These include the definition of complexity, the application of power laws and Paretian statistics to most complex systems issues; the greatest innovation occurring at the edge of chaos; chaordic behavior, scale laws, fractals, self-organized criticality, tiny initiating events, adaptive cycles, systemic and cascading risk, attractor cages and fitness landscapes. The use of systems thinking methodology and its application to complex system problems is examined. Finally, the concept of system context is examined and the issue of whether soft system methodology can be applied to the examination of context is discussed. Appropriate economic models is also briefly discussed.