ENTROPY PRODUCTION in a system
| Collection | International Encyclopedia of Systems and Cybernetics |
|---|---|
| Year | 2004 |
| Vol. (num.) | 2(1) |
| ID | ◀ 1112 ▶ |
| Object type | Discipline oriented, General information, Human sciences |
E. LASZLO writes: “The PRIGOGINE equation states that entropy change in a system is governed by the relative values of the terms in the equation $dS = dS_{e} + dS_{i}$, where dS$_{i}$ denotes entropy change through the input and $dS_{e}$ entropy produced through irreversible processes within the system. Whereas dS$_{e}$ is always positive, dS$_{i}$ may be positive as well as negative. If it is negative, the dissipation function of a system \termid}{p = d$_{s} Template:Ency symim Template:Ency symim is negative, i.e. is greater than 0. In this case the system decreases its net entropy or, correspondingly, gathers information (1974, p.221).
There is thus a thermodynamic way to self-organization for open systems.
D. HERSHEY developed the concept of Excess Entropy Production. “For the living system, Excess Entropy Production diminishes with age and nears zero in the vicinity of death. For the aging corporation, a diminishing Excess Entropy Production track can signal stagnation, a general decline in organizational vitality” (1991, p.126).
This somewhat esoteric view implies that a diminishing rate of energy degradation for adaptive activity (for example learning capacity, organizational innovation, creativity) signals the beginning of ageing and sclerosis in systems.