**13. Conclusions**

A new safety concept called "integration-in-totality principle" has been introduced in this article as the 7th system safety principle. A "seven-principles-framework of system safety principles" is proposed, adding two more principles to the five basic/technical system safety principles conceptualized by Saleh et al. The "integration-in-totality principle" is illustrated with the simile of a "Rubik's cube model of integration-in-totality principle" having three axes, viz. the axis of performance, the axis of perception, and the axis of perspective, reinforcing the key systems thinking tenet of "vertical and horizontal integration". The relevance of 'bidirectional synthesis' of a socio-technical system with a 'continuum approach' along these three axes to facilitate systems thinking is articulated, drawing upon the 'abstraction hierarchy' and the 'SRK framework' by Rasmussen, 'DCP diagram' by Stoop and 'mental models in systems-theoretic framework' by Leveson. The article also explores the linkage of integration-in-totality principle to strategic quality managemen<sup>t</sup> and risk management, bridging the gap between two parallel fields of knowledge. The integration-in-totality principle is interpreted in terms of the 'V-model of systems engineering', to establish its linkage to reliability and airworthiness of an aerospace system. It is expected that the new safety concepts shall augmen<sup>t</sup> the existing body of knowledge and trigger further research in the field of systems thinking and strategic quality management.

**Author Contributions:** All the authors contributed equally to this work. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research received no external funding.

**Acknowledgments:** This research has been a part of the academic programme at International Institute for Aerospace Engineering & Management, Jain (Deemed-to-be University), Bengaluru, India. The theme discussed herein is independently developed by the authors for the academic work. The authors would like to express

their deep sense of gratitude to all the colleagues who have associated directly or indirectly towards creation of knowledge in the field, and thank the managements of their organizations for providing all support for the study and the permission to publish this technical article.

**Conflicts of Interest:** There is no conflict of interest whatsoever.
