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On review of literature on “Smart Cities”, it can be asserted that there are multiple definitions of the term “Smart Cities”; however, a universally accepted definition of “Smart Cities” has not been adopted till date. In these circumstances of uncertainty, this paper aims to propose a conclusive definition of “Smart Cities” from systems thinking view.

The key properties, components and dimensions of “Smart Cities” were identified through text analysis of existing definitions of smart cities in literature using tools such as word cloud, network graph, bubble chart, mind map and web chart of top keywords. The definitions were further subjected to principal component analysis to identify the key components such as characteristics and enablers of “Smart Cities”. The concept of “Smart Cities” was then examined from systems thinking view, to arrive at a systemic understanding of the concept, as it examines the key elements of Government, Citizens and Business using the Golden Circle tool (Why, What and How). Thereon, the interactions between these elements were scrutinized by drawing a Systemigram, which aided in constructing the definition of “Smart Cities”. Thereafter, the validity of the definition was empirically tested by applying it to a set of cities and testing the efficiency of cities through data envelopment analysis.

The Literature Review and definition analysis of “Smart Cities” have not only facilitated in identifying elements of widely accepted constructs of “Smart Cities” also helps in advancing a formal conceptual definition of “Smart Cities”. A formal definition, which is commonly accepted, would enable researchers in advancing theory and building measurement instruments for “Smart Cities”.

Given the fact that there is no uniform definition of “Smart Cities” leading to varying standards for conceptualization or construction of a “Smart City”, this paper attempts to propose a formal conceptual definition of “Smart Cities” from systems thinking view. Thus, this paper shall not only attempt to advance theory building of the concept of “Smart Cities” but shall also provide a reference to researchers and practitioners, to enable them to build appropriate measures for Smart Cities.

With the rise in demand and adoption of smart city initiatives, it is imperative to plan the railway infrastructure, as it will have a huge positive impact if adequately integrated into the planning process. Given the complexities involved, a whole systems thinking framework provides a useful platform for rail transport planners.

This paper proposes a simple, adoptable framework utilising systems thinking concepts and techniques taking into cognisance the key stakeholders. Milton Keynes in the United Kingdom is the adopted case study.

Selected systems thinking tools and techniques are adopted to develop a framework for mapping stakeholders and attributes when developing sustainable rail transport systems, taking note of their core functionalities and the complex systems wherein they exist.

The desire to build future (smart) cities is to effectively match infrastructural resources with a rapidly growing population, and the railway sector can play a strategic role in building a much more competitive low-carbon-emission transport system, which is a driving force for sustainable development.

The urban rail service has become vital to urban development as railway stations serve as hubs for sustainable mobility to meet local requirements. Moreover, it takes extra effort to input railway development into smart city plans, as it is a herculean task to get governments to focus on it with clarity of purpose in passing legislation.

The developed framework reduces complexities when planning and designing rail transport systems compared to many of the existing reductionist planning approaches. The simplicity of the framework would also make it easily adoptable by a wide range of users.

This paper aims to conduct bibliometric analysis on the studies dealing with capital structure’s speed of adjustment (SoA) and identify the prominent themes while suggesting future research directions in the area. The existing reviews broadly focus on the capital structure, which provides the scope for conducting a review on this sub-aspect of capital structure.

This study uses a three-stage process to conduct this review: identification of academic journals, selection and analysis of target papers. This study uses a combination of bibliometric tools and a system thinking approach to assess the current status of publications and emerging themes within the literature.

This study has found a progressive evolution of SoA in capital structure research from 1984 to 2021. Studies largely focus on implementing the dynamic models to analyse the impact of adjustment costs, dynamic economic conditions, corporate governance practices and other variables on the firms’ adjustment speed and financial decisions. The network analysis of citations, keywords and clusters gives further knowledge on the intellectual structure of the data.

This study is highly dependent on the papers available within the SCOPUS database. Studies not included herein are not part of this analysis, which may or may not bear an effect on the study’s findings.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the application of systems engineering concept of “system thinking approach” to identify literature gap and suggest directions for forthcoming research is the first of its kind, thus adding a novel and multidisciplinary aspect to this study.

Performance‐based logistics (PBL) strategies are providing governments and for‐profit organizations with a contractual mechanism that reduces the life cycle costs of their systems. PBL accomplishes this by establishing contracts that focus on the delivery of performance not parts. PBL establishes a metric based governance structure where suppliers make more profit when they invest in logistics process improvements, or system redesign, that reduces total cost of ownership. While work has been done to outline an overall PBL theoretical framework, the underlying theory explaining the enablers that lead to organizational and team‐level, team‐goal alignment associated with the PBL governance structure requires testing. The purpose of this paper is to quantitatively test previously posited relationships between enablers of PBL and PBL effectiveness. An additional objective is to explore any differences in PBL effectiveness between different business sectors.

A multiple regression model was developed, tested and validated to explain the effectiveness of PBL. The model was externally validated with exploratory cross‐sectional survey data of 61 practitioners.

This study strongly supports recent PBL theory explaining PBL effectiveness. Key antecedents include investment climate, relational exchange, PBL leadership, and business sector. Further, government organizations lag behind their commercial counterparts in PBL effectiveness and PBL leadership.

PBL business arrangements are more effective in more favorable investment climates. Thus, leaders should welcome new ideas, empower employees, and encourage entrepreneurship. Since PBL effectiveness increases with relational exchange, building trust and communicating with suppliers is key. Leadership is also important to PBL effectiveness. Leaders should accept risk, focus on long‐term affordability and performance, and align activities to achieve end‐user goals.

This research is the first quantitative test of previously posited factors affecting PBL effectiveness. Additionally, this research unveils key differences in business sectors' use of PBL strategies.

This special “Anbar Abstracts” issue of Work Study is split into six sections covering abstracts under the following headings: Operational research and statistics; Project management, method study and work measurement; Business process re‐engineering; Design of work; Performance, productivity and motivation; Stock control and supply chain management.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the humanitarian service management categories that influence long-term transformation within complex community-based service ecosystems.

This study utilizes mixed methods to present a dynamic model that provides insight into the complexities of supplying, distributing and transporting charitable resources to underserved communities. The interdisciplinary study draws on the theory of service-dominant logic and service science, presents critical elements of transformative service research and uses system dynamics approach to propose a visual causal loop model.

This study develops a dynamic model for studying humanitarian service and value propositions in underserved communities. This paper combines the extant literature to emphasize key humanitarian service categories that influence, and are influenced by, service exchanges within community-based contexts.

This paper is limited in providing quantitative methods in analyzing the case study data. However, the research is still helpful in providing acumen via the causal loop diagram to specifically look into each variable and see their cause and effect relationships in the community-based ecosystem. The research represents an opportunity to model the humanitarian aid and relief scenarios to help make more effective decision-making interventions.

The model serves as a managerial tool to determine critical services that optimize resource utilization within the community-based service ecosystems. Insights from this research are broadly applicable to the contexts of humanitarian logistics and supply chain management (HLSCM) solutions for community-based ventures.

This paper conceptualizes how the management of service-for-service exchanges, logistics services and charitable donation management provides transformational humanitarian services and value propositions within underserved communities. This study further provides fundamental contributions by addressing research gaps in the HLSCM domain by supporting service research and the community-based context.

Soft systems methodology (SSM) is a procedure for achieving improvement in human activity systems which has been applied in a wide variety of practical instances. POSIT ‐ a marketing mnemonic ‐ is a conceptual approach to marketing and its components, which also has been employed to analyse both practical situations and the subject of marketing itself. SSM and POSIT, although distinct, have features in common which are explored in this paper. A reader‐friendly simulation of SSM is taken as an example to show the relationships of the two methodologies in the analysis of marketing as an indicative human activity system.

The purpose of this paper is to improve the efficacy of professional support services and teaching processes within a leading UK university so that they align better to changing academic requirements and external market forces, using a novel systems thinking methodology. A case study is given from a school in a leading UK university.

The case uses a novel process modelling methodology known as the process-orientated holonic modelling methodology. Abducted rationalisation is used to reflect upon the 4V’s theoretical concept of operational characteristics (volume, variety, variation over time and visibility). The paper also briefly describes the unique systems thinking principles behind the methodology and its use of abductive rationalisation.

The methodology and models show that it is advantageous to simultaneously review strategic processes and operational processes because this enables roles, processes and tasks to be more purposefully redefined and more closely meet endogenous organisational requirements and exogenous market forces.

This work will interest organisational analysts wishing to use a novel approach to improve strategy and operational processes in higher education and universities. The practical implications of the study are discussed using the 4V’s theoretical concept: volume of throughput, variety of offerings, variation over time and visibility of processes to students. The international context and implications are outlined.