Heterogeneous systems
From Geography
Heterogeneous systems are systems with different kind components in this system. All these components have different capabilities or functions than the other components (Burback, 1998). If it would be a homogeneous system, all the components would be the same. From a medical/chemistry point of view a heterogeneous system could have different phases, such as a suspension (Stedman’s medical dictionary, 2002). Semiotics helps to approach the heterogeneous systems as a self- referential and –organizing system. This means that these systems can work on their own (Noe & Fjelsted Alrøe, 2006).
For example farms are heterogeneous systems. This is because they consist of different features. In a farm you have animals, machines, soil, persons, (safety) regulations, market strategy, knowledge et cetera (Noe & Fjelsted Alrøe, 2006).
References
Burback, R.L. (1998). Heterogeneous systems. Retrieved from[1] at 24 October 2012.
Noe, E. & Fjelsted Alrøe, H. (2006). Combining Luhmann and Actor-Network Theory to See Farm Enterprises as Self-organizing systems. Cybernetics And Human Knowing. Vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 34-48
Stedman's Medical Dictionary. (2002). Heterogeneous systems. Retrieved from[2] at 24 October 2012.
Contributor
Page published by Rosalie Koen & Renate van Haaren, --RenateVanHaaren 10:43, 24 October 2012 (CEST)