Mapping the Evolution of Cybernetics: A Bibliometric Perspective

In this study, we undertake a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the cybernetics research field. We compile a dataset of 4856 papers from the ISI Web of Science database spanning 1975–2022, employing keywords related to cybernetics. Our findings reveal an annual growth rate of 7.56% in cybernetics research over this period, indicating sustained scholarly interest. By examining the annual progression of scientific production, we have identified three distinct periods characterized by significant disruptions in yearly publication trends. These disruptions have been thoroughly investigated within the paper, utilizing a longitudinal analysis of thematic evolution. We also identify emerging research trends through keyword analysis. Furthermore, we investigate collaborative networks among authors, their institutional affiliations, and global representation to elucidate the dissemination of cybernetics research. Employing n-gram analysis, we uncover diverse applications of cybernetics in fields such as computer science, information science, social sciences, sustainable development, supply chain, knowledge management, system dynamics, and medicine. The study contributes to enhancing the understanding of the evolving cybernetics landscape. Moreover, the conducted analysis underscores the versatile applicability across various academic and practical domains associated with the cybernetics field.

[1]  W. Gu,et al.  An economic cybernetic model for electricity market operation coupled with physical system dynamics , 2023, Applied Energy.

[2]  Shun Yang,et al.  Vehicle Trajectory Prediction Considering Driver Uncertainty and Vehicle Dynamics Based on Dynamic Bayesian Network , 2023, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems.

[3]  A. Kumiega,et al.  Back to the future: Cybernetics for safety, quality and cybersecurity , 2022, Quality Management Journal.

[4]  Willem van der Maden.  Design for wellbeing during Covid-19: A cybernetic perspective on data feedback loops in complex socIotechnical systems , 2022, Proceedings of DRS.

[5]  Thomas Swann.  ‘Anarchist technologies’: Anarchism, cybernetics and mutual aid in community responses to the COVID-19 crisis , 2022, Organization.

[6]  M. Schwaninger,et al.  Cybernetic crisis management in a federal system—Insights from the Covid pandemic , 2021, Systems Research and Behavioral Science.

[7]  L. Grinin,et al.  COVID-19 pandemic as a trigger for the acceleration of the cybernetic revolution, transition from e-government to e-state, and change in social relations , 2021, Technological Forecasting and Social Change.

[8]  Zheng-Guang Wu,et al.  Synchronization of Stochastic Complex Dynamical Networks Subject to Consecutive Packet Dropouts , 2021, IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics.

[9]  Maurice Yolles,et al.  Metacybernetics: Towards a General Theory of Higher Order Cybernetics , 2021, Syst..

[10]  Robert Kozma,et al.  Systems Science and Engineering Research in the Context of Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Recollection, Trends, and Future Directions , 2021, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Systems.

[11]  Asit Saha,et al.  Novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2 (Covid‐19) dynamics inside the human body , 2020, Reviews in medical virology.

[12]  David Lowe,et al.  Constitutive rules for guiding the use of the viable system model: Reflections on practice , 2020, Eur. J. Oper. Res..

[13]  Witold Pedrycz,et al.  A Dynamic Adaptive Subgroup-to-Subgroup Compatibility-Based Conflict Detection and Resolution Model for Multicriteria Large-Scale Group Decision Making , 2020, IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics.

[14]  Michael F. Chiang,et al.  Introduction to Machine Learning, Neural Networks, and Deep Learning , 2020, Translational vision science & technology.

[15]  Philip Baron,et al.  Cybernetically informed pedagogy in two tertiary educational contexts: China and South Africa , 2019, Kybernetes.

[16]  Amin Vahidi,et al.  Evolution of Management Cybernetics and Viable System Model , 2019, Systemic Practice and Action Research.

[17]  Morteza Ghobakhloo,et al.  The future of manufacturing industry: a strategic roadmap toward Industry 4.0 , 2018, Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management.

[18]  Vladimir Lepskiy,et al.  Evolution of cybernetics: philosophical and methodological analysis , 2017, Kybernetes.

[19]  M. Aria,et al.  bibliometrix: An R-tool for comprehensive science mapping analysis , 2017, J. Informetrics.

[20]  D. Novikov.  Cybernetics: From Past to Future , 2015 .

[21]  Vladimir A. Vittikh,et al.  Evolution of Ideas on Management Processes in the Society: From Cybernetics to Evergetics , 2015 .

[22]  Gaynor Suzanne Paton,et al.  Visualization, interpretation, and cognitive cybernetics , 2015 .

[23]  Hyun-Seob Song,et al.  Dynamic Metabolic Modeling of Denitrifying Bacterial Growth: The Cybernetic Approach , 2015 .

[24]  C. DeYoung.  Cybernetic Big Five Theory. , 2015 .

[25]  Maurice Yolles,et al.  A General Theory of Generic Modelling and Paradigm Shifts: Part 2 – Cybernetic Orders , 2015, Kybernetes.

[26]  Yong Shi,et al.  ν-Nonparallel support vector machine for pattern classification , 2014, Neural Computing and Applications.

[27]  Michael C. McAlpine,et al.  3D Printed Bionic Ears , 2013, Nano letters.

[28]  Maurice Yolles,et al.  Organisations as Emergent Normative Personalities: Part 1, the Concepts , 2011, Kybernetes.

[29]  Michel Parent,et al.  Centralized fleet management system for cybernetic transportation , 2011, Expert Syst. Appl..

[30]  Jeremy Walker,et al.  Genealogies of resilience , 2011 .

[31]  D. Ramkrishna,et al.  Cybernetic models based on lumped elementary modes accurately predict strain‐specific metabolic function , 2011, Biotechnology and bioengineering.

[32]  Miri Levin-Rozalis,et al.  Cybernetics: a possible solution for the "knowledge gap" between "external" and "internal" in evaluation processes. , 2010, Evaluation and program planning.

[33]  Doraiswami Ramkrishna,et al.  Prediction of metabolic function from limited data: Lumped hybrid cybernetic modeling (L‐HCM) , 2010, Biotechnology and bioengineering.

[34]  Helmut Nechansky,et al.  Elements of a cybernetic epistemology: Adaptive systems that can develop system-specific behavior , 2010, Kybernetes.

[35]  Ming Yang,et al.  CyberC3: A Prototype Cybernetic Transportation System for Urban Applications , 2010, IEEE Transactions on Intelligent Transportation Systems.

[36]  Witold Pedrycz,et al.  Some theoretical results of learning theory based on random sets in set-valued probability space , 2009, Kybernetes.

[37]  D. Brown,et al.  Management control systems as a package—Opportunities, challenges and research directions , 2008 .

[38]  Ming Yang,et al.  Simulation of Multi-Agent based Cybernetic Transportation System , 2008, Simul. Model. Pract. Theory.

[39]  Keith W. Hipel,et al.  The Future of Systems, Man, and Cybernetics: Application Domains and Research Methods , 2007, IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C (Applications and Reviews).

[40]  Brian H. Rudall,et al.  Cybernetics and the trends in robotics developments 2004-2008 , 2006, Kybernetes.

[41]  Y. Cherruault,et al.  New methods for applying the Adomian method to partial differential equations with boundary conditions , 2005 .

[42]  Doraiswami Ramkrishna,et al.  A cybernetic modeling framework for analysis of metabolic systems , 2005, Comput. Chem. Eng..

[43]  Bernard Scott,et al.  Second‐order cybernetics: an historical introduction , 2004 .

[44]  Bingjun Li,et al.  Technical change and funds for science and technology , 2004 .

[45]  Y. Cherruault,et al.  On the solution of the non‐linear Korteweg–de Vries equation by the decomposition method , 2002 .

[46]  Markus Schwaninger,et al.  System theory and cybernetics: A solid basis for transdisciplinarity in management education and research , 2001 .

[47]  N. Rose.  Government and control , 2000 .

[48]  Y. Cherruault,et al.  New results of convergence of Adomian’s method , 1999 .

[49]  Robert T. Craig.  Communication Theory as a Field , 1999 .

[50]  R. Rhodes,et al.  The New Governance: Governing without Government , 1996 .

[51]  Guido Gerig,et al.  Parametrization of Closed Surfaces for 3-D Shape Description , 1995, Comput. Vis. Image Underst..

[52]  P. Wright,et al.  Theoretical Perspectives for Strategic Human Resource Management , 1992 .

[53]  Stuart A. Umpleby,et al.  The science of cybernetics and the cybernetics of science , 1990 .

[54]  Kay Johnson.  Cybernetics, History, and Crises: Post‐World War II U. S. Foreign Policy , 1982 .

[55]  Bernard C. Patten,et al.  The Cybernetic Nature of Ecosystems , 1981, The American Naturalist.

[56]  M. N. Ozer.  A Cybernetic Approach to the Assessment of Children: Toward a More Humane Use of Human Beings , 1979 .

[57]  A. A. Verveen.  In search of processes: The early history of cybernetics , 1971 .

[58]  Stafford Beer,et al.  What is cybernetics , 1959 .

[59]  L. Brillouin.  Life, thermodynamics, and cybernetics. , 1949, American scientist.

[60]  Camelia Delcea,et al.  Advancements of Grey Systems Theory in Economics and Social Sciences , 2023, Series on Grey System.

[61]  Tod M. Schuck,et al.  Cybernetics, Complexity, and the Challenges to the Realization of the Internet-of-Things , 2021 .

[62]  Design Cybernetics , 2019, Design Research Foundations.

[63]  Ş. Erçetin,et al.  Chaos, Complexity and Leadership 2013 , 2015 .

[64]  R. Birnbaum.  How Colleges Work: The Cybernetics of Academic Organization and Leadership , 1988 .

[65]  Harry M. Runyan.  Cybernetics of Economic Systems , 1971, IEEE Trans. Syst. Man Cybern..