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CALL FOR PAPERS
Book Proposal: Complex Decision Making: Theory and Practice
1. Brief Description
The increasing complexity of the environments in which we live and work
requires us to continue the search for ways, methods, and techniques to
improve our ability to make better decisions. Recent developments in the
fields of instructional technology, dynamic decision making, theories on
learning and managing complexities, system dynamics and agent-based
modeling approaches deserve attention and provide impetus for an
integrated volume in the service of complex decision making. This book
will present a series of chapters written by well-regarded figures in
their fields by the common aspiration to draw together to align our best
understanding of decision making in complex, dynamic environments.
Co-editors for this volume will be Hassan Qudrat-Ullah (York University,
Canada), J. Michael Spector (Florida Sate University, USA), & Paal I.
Davidsen (University of Bergen, Norway). Editorial tasks will include:
soliciting contributions; reviewing and editing chapters; and, preparing a
final copy for the publisher (Springer-Verlag, US).
2. Apparatus
There will be contributions from about 20 distinguished researchers who
present innovative work in the areas of dynamic decision making and
learning in complex systems. When it comes to modeling approaches,
contributors will have to drawn on system dynamics and/or agent-based
modeling. We will invite someone such as Prof. Forrester to provide a
Prologue. Selected chapters will be available online to advertise the
volume ahead of its final print publication.
3. Audience
The audience for this volume includes professors, students and
professional practitioners. Unified by the common goal of making better
decisions in complex systems, this book will offer the reader an
insightful and critical review of state of the art in the field, with a
focus on system dynamics and agent-based modeling approaches to complex
decision making. The book could be used as a supplemental textbook for
study within University level programs (at late undergraduate and graduate
levels) in faculties of Business and Management, Information Systems,
Education, Computing, and Instructional Design. The practical orientation
of the chapters within each part is intended to suite the practitioners:
both managers and policy makers across the domains.
4. Status of the Book
The following represents a tentative timeline for completing the volume:
· Letter inviting contributions - 30 July 2005
· Draft chapters due - 31 October 2005
· Chapters returned with editorial comments - 30 November 2005
· Final chapters due - 31 February 2006
· Final edits completed - 30 April 2006 (due date to publisher)
· Print publication available - 31 May 2006
Anticipated length is approximately 400 double-spaced pages.
5. Table of Contents
The provisional table of contents is:
Prologue - Professor Jay Forrester (or someone with similar knowledge and
reputation)
PART I: Introduction (by Hassan, Mike, and Paal): (1 chapter)
PART II: Theories and Frameworks on Complex Decision Making: (4 chapters)
(primarily elaborating on frameworks for dealing with complexities in the
decision making environment, and theories on learning and decision making
in complex, dynamic environments)
PART III: Tools and Techniques for Decision Making in Complex Systems:
(5 chapters)
(covering the range of tools, methods, and technologies that support
decision making in complex, dynamic environments)
PART IV: System Dynamics and Agent-Based Modeling in Action: (6 chapters)
(providing the empirical evidence to the application of both these
modeling approaches to variety of complex decision making situations
covering both individual and group decision making perspectives)
PART V: Methodological Issues in Research on Complex Decision Making: (3
chapters)
(on developing and testing models of complex environments, measuring
expertise on complex decision making, and experimental approach on complex
decision making)
PART VI: Conclusion (by Hassan, Mike, and Paal): (1 chapter)
Index of authors
Index of subjects and topics
Submissions:
By Now: Just say "Yes" or "No" to show your intent via email to me at
hassanq(a)yorku.ca.
By August 15, 2005: Submit (1) title of your contribution, (2) describe
the fit of your chapter to Part II, III, IV, or V of the book, and (3)
one-page summary/abstract that includes the significance of your
contribution. Submissions only via e-mail to Hassan at: hassanq(a)yorku.ca.
By August 25, 2005: Receive the notification of acceptance/ rejection
By October 31: If your abstract is accepted, submit the draft chapter.
