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Apologies if you receive this more than once. JORS SPECIAL ISSUE - Problem Structuring Methods: New Directions in a Problematic World Call for papers - Special Issue of the Journal of the Operational Research Society Problem Structuring Methods: New Directions in a Problematic World Guest Editors: Dr. Duncan Shaw (Aston Business School, Aston University, UK) L Alberto Franco (Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK) Mark Westcombe (Attivation, UK) Underpinning problem structuring methods (PSMs) is the notion that participants can begin to understand the complexity of a problem domain through some form of explicit modelling. The model is used to stimulate debate and insight among participants through which joint agreement on emerging actions is reached. What distinguishes problem structuring methods from other approaches to decision support is the role of the model and its use as a transitional object in improving the quality of dialogue and managing large amounts of complex, qualitative data. This special issue will focus on the past, present and future of PSMs. The aims of the special issue are: to develop a dialogue between the PSM originators and the emerging generation of PSM modellers; to develop a coherent set of papers that establishes the continuation of the PSM field; and to publish a body of work that defines the future theoretical developments of PSMs. Potential topics for the Special Issue might include, but are not limited to: . New and potential/future developments of existing PSMs. . Expanding the portfolio of currently recognised PSMs. . New directions for PSM research and theory development. . Analysing and critiquing PSMs from other fields eg sociology, social psychology, managerial cognition, organizational learning, strategic management, argumentation, negotiation, or semiotics. . Strengthening the theoretical basis of PSMs. . Transferring the craft skills of problem structuring (apprenticeship, training, teaching). . Evaluating the process(es) of PSMs. . Evaluating the role of the PSM facilitator. . Understanding the product, or artefact, of a PSM intervention. . Technological developments to support problem structuring. . What happens after problem structuring? The implementation of actions. . Using PSMs within OR projects: multi-methodology or complementarity. . Promoting and managing PSM projects and interventions. . Embedding PSMs, and PSM skills, within an organisation's processes or toolkit. . Unpacking the learning that occurs within PSM interventions. . Innovative applications of PSMs. In addition to research papers, the guest-editors welcome papers written by practitioners. These might be JORS 'Practice Notes' which are short papers with a more applied focus (see OR Newsletter 10th March 2004 for a detailed description). The guest-editors will be pleased to discuss proposed papers with authors in advance of formal submission. You may submit outline proposals to Duncan Shaw, Alberto Franco or Mark Westcombe (contact details below). Please submit full papers using the JORS electronic submission system accessible through: www.orsoc.org.uk Papers should be marked as being for the "Special Issue on ' Problem Structuring Methods: New Directions in a Problematic World'". Deadline for submission: Monday 8th November 2004. All submissions will be refereed. Potential contributors to the special issue are encouraged to submit a conference presentation to the 'Problem Structuring Methods Revisited' stream at OR 46, 7th - 9th September 2004, University of York, UK. Information on the conference can be found at: www.orsoc.org.uk Guest-editor contact details for informal enquiries: Dr. Duncan Shaw, Aston Business School, Aston University, Birmingham, B4 7ET, U.K. Email: [log in to unmask] Tel: +44 (0)121 359 3611 L. Alberto Franco, Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, U.K. Email: [log in to unmask] Tel.: +44 (0)24 7652 4691 Mark Westcombe, Attivation, 25 Meadowside, Lancaster, LA1 3AQ, U.K. Email: [log in to unmask] Tel: +44 (0)845 456 2494