______________________________________________________Parent Node(s): ASC Glossary on Cybernetics
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HIERARCHY
(l) A form of organization resembling a pyramid.
Each level is subordinate to the one above it. See HETERARCHY.
(Umpleby) (2) An organization whose components are arranged in
levels from a top level down to a bottom level. (Arbib) (3) A
partially-ordered structure of entities in which every entity but
one is successor to at least one other entity; and every entity
except the basic entities is a predecessor to at least one other
entity. (Rogers) (4) Narrowly, a group arranged in order of
rank or class; we interpret it to denote a rank arrangement in
which the nature of function at each higher level becomes more
broadly embracing than at the lower level. (Iberall)