Focus and Scope

The International Journal of Complex Systems Management and Interdisciplinary Studies (IJCS-MIS) is a premier peer-reviewed forum dedicated to advancing the understanding, governance, and strategic management of complex adaptive systems through integrative interdisciplinary research. The journal specifically focuses on the intersection of systems theory, management science, computational modeling, and empirical investigation to address multifaceted challenges across diverse domains.

Core Research Themes

  1. Governance & Strategic Oversight of Complex Systems: Developing and analyzing frameworks, policies, and leadership strategies for steering complex socio-technical, environmental, and economic systems towards desired outcomes under conditions of uncertainty and adaptation.

  2. Optimization & Adaptive Management: Designing and evaluating methods for improving the performance, resilience, efficiency, and sustainability of complex systems, recognizing their dynamic and evolving nature.

  3. Interdisciplinary Integration: Synthesizing knowledge, theories, and methodologies from diverse fields (e.g., systems science, computer science, organizational studies, economics, engineering, ecology, social sciences) to generate novel insights into complex systems behavior and management.

Key Methodological Approaches

  • Systems Theory and Complexity Science: Application of concepts like emergence, self-organization, non-linearity, network analysis, and feedback loops.

  • Computational and Mathematical Modeling: Agent-based modeling, system dynamics, network modeling, simulation, optimization algorithms, and data-driven approaches for analyzing and predicting complex system behavior.

  • Organizational and Management Theory: Perspectives on structure, decision-making, strategy, leadership, innovation, and adaptation within complex organizational and inter-organizational contexts.

  • Empirical Case Studies & Qualitative/Quantitative Analysis: Rigorous investigation of real-world complex systems to derive lessons, validate models, and inform theory.

Primary Application Domains

  • Socio-Technical Systems: Critical infrastructure (energy, transport, ICT), smart cities, healthcare systems, large-scale engineering projects, cybersecurity governance.

  • Environmental Systems: Climate change adaptation and mitigation, ecosystem management, natural resource governance, resilience to environmental shocks.

  • Economic and Organizational Systems: Global supply chains, financial markets, innovation ecosystems, organizational networks, public policy implementation, economic development strategies.

Journal Aims

  • Publish high-quality research that demonstrably integrates perspectives from at least two distinct disciplines.

  • Bridge the gap between theoretical advances in complex systems science and practical management challenges.

  • Foster dialogue and knowledge exchange among researchers and practitioners dealing with complexity across different domains.

  • Provide insights that inform both the development of theory and the improvement of practice in managing complex adaptive systems.

Key Exclusions (to maintain focus)

  • Studies focusing on simple or purely technical systems without significant socio-economic, organizational, or adaptive management dimensions.

  • Research conducted solely within a single traditional discipline without genuine interdisciplinary integration relevant to complex systems management.

  • Purely abstract mathematical or computational studies without clear application or implications for the governance, optimization, or strategic oversight of complex systems.

  • Routine applications of established management techniques without a complexity science perspective or novel interdisciplinary contribution.