Uncertain systems: models, methods and applications

Citation

Rudall, B.H. (2012), "Uncertain systems: models, methods and applications", Kybernetes, Vol. 41 No. 5/6. https://doi.org/10.1108/k.2012.06741eaa.001

Uncertain systems: models, methods and applications

Article Type: Preface From: Kybernetes, Volume 41, Issue 5/6

This journal has a longstanding tradition of publishing papers presented at the Congresses of the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC). We are consequently very grateful to the hosts of the 15th International Congress of WOSC, held at Nanjing, People’s Republic of China, 15-18 September 2011, for their cooperation in compiling the two double issues that highlight the event and include selected contributions from its participants.

The Guest Editors of these issues have carefully selected the contributions which have been reviewed and updated to reflect the feedback from the Congress and the many new approaches and ideas gathered there. The selected papers are presented in two parts together with, as is our usual practice, the journal regular sections.

Part 1 also contains a report of the Congress Awards which earned authors recognition for the excellence of their contributions. In particular, we list the winners of the Kybernetes Research Award and the three Highly Commended Papers. These awards have been presented at successive WOSC Congresses since 1984, when they were instituted by the journal editor and sponsored by its publisher. On this occasion the awards were adjudicated by the Congress organisers, and we would wish to thank them for their labours. Part 2 of the compilation continues with the theme of the Congress, with both parts titled “Uncertain systems” and concentrating on the methods and applications that were presented and discussed. It should be noted that papers from the Congress Sessions on “Organisational cybernetics” were published in our issues 3/4 of this volume.

Finally, our thanks are also due to Dr Alex Andrew, the Journal Internet Editor, who was also the Director-General of WOSC, and members of the Editorial Board who represented Kybernetes at the event.

Brian H. RudallEditor-in-Chief