From Theory to Impact – How Do Organizations Benefit from Systems Research?

Call for Papers – Special Issue: “From Theory to Impact – How Do Organizations Benefit from Systems Research?”

Journal: Kybernetes
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Submission deadline: 30 November 2026

Overview

This special issue—published by Emerald—seeks to bridge the gap between formal systems theory and organizational practice. Recognizing that a theory’s longevity is tied to its real-world impact, this issue invites submissions that demonstrate how systemic and cybernetic approaches create tangible value in daily organizational operations. It moves beyond academic-only discourse to feature a diverse range of contributions—including case studies, practitioner papers, viewpoint articles, and technical reports—that substantiate how systems research solves complex societal and organizational problems.

Key Research Themes

• Organizational Application: Leading change in dynamic societies using complex-adaptive systems models.

• Educational & Social Systems: The impact of systemic structures on employment, income, and social transformation.

• Technological Implementation: Assessing the added value of AI, blockchain, and other systems-oriented technical solutions in operations.

• Consulting & Leadership: Effects of systems-oriented consulting, and the development/assessment of leadership systems.

• Design & Strategy: Exploring the limitations of systems design, the interplay with improvisation/heuristics, and the effects of cultural differences on the application of formal models.

Submission Details

• Submission window: 01 February 2026 – 30 November 2026.

• Submission portal: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/kyb

• Special Instructions: You must select the special issue title from the drop-down menu during the submission process.

• Submission Standards: Authors are encouraged to provide clear arguments and evidence. Contributions may deviate from traditional research paper standards (e.g., practitioner papers, viewpoints) provided they enrich the scientific discourse. All manuscripts must strictly adhere to the Kybernetes Author Guidelines.

Guest Editor Team

• Diórgenes Mamedio, Devinci Higher Education (diorgenes.mamedio@devinci.fr)

• Jens-Henrik Söldner, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences (jens.soeldner@hs-ansbach.de)

• Aigerim Kaumenova, CEEMAN (Aigerim.Kaumenova@ceeman.org)

Why This Issue Matters

Systems theory and cybernetics are uniquely positioned to address the complex, multi-level dynamics of today's "grand challenges." By focusing on impact, this issue aims to refine the practical application of systems thinking, ensuring that research remains in touch with the pressing, real-world problems facing organizations across the globe.

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