CALL FOR PARTICIPATION
MINITRACK ON COMPLEX SOCIETAL PROBLEMS
as part of the 35th Annual Meeting of the Decision Sciences Institute,
Boston, November 20-23 2004,
part of the track MS/OR: Techniques, Models and Applications

The scope of the papers in this minitrack covers areas of theory and application of soft and hard OR methods and systems thinking applied to Complex Societal Problems. The minitrack is organized by Dr D.DeTombe (The Netherlands) and Dr D Petkov, ECSU and Dr O.Petkova, CCSU on behalf of the International and European  OR Working Group on Solving Complex Societal Problems.

The organizers invite contributions to the 2004 Annual Meeting in the following categories: Refereed Research Paper by April 1st 2004 and Non-Refereed Research Abstract by April 30th 2004. See the submission page http://www.bus.ucf.edu/dsi2004/submit.html for details. Indicate as track MS/OR: Techniques, Models and Applications, specifying in the beginning of the abstract the words: Complex Societal Problems Mini-tract.

Interested authors are invited to submit the paper title, author’s name, affiliation, and contact email and the 50 word abstract of their paper to petkovd@easternct.edu before April 1st 2004 in addition to the official submission for the DSI conference.

Any questions may be addressed to the minitrack organizers Dr D DeTombe, Chair, International and Euro OR Working Group on Solving Complex Societal Problems, DeTombe@lri.jur.uva.nl,  Dr Don Petkov, ECSU,  petkovd@easternct.edu, or Dr Olga Petkova, CCSU, petkovao@ccsu.edu

Decision Sciences Institute 2004 Annual Meeting

Complex Societal Problems: Program Sessions Details

 

MS-6: Complex Societal Problems and OR/Systems Thinking

Time: Sunday, Nov. 21, 8:00-9:30am
Place: TBA
Session Facilitator: Powell Robinson (Texas A&M University)
Presentations:

Complex Societal Problems and OR/Systems Thinking

Type: Panel Discussion

Abstract: The scope of the panel discussion covers areas of theory and application of soft and hard OR methods and systems thinking applied to Complex Societal Problems. The panel is organized on behalf of the International and European OR Working Group on Solving Complex Societal Problems.

Authors/Presenters: Don I. Petkov (Eastern Connecticut State University), Dorien DeTombe (Int Euro OR WG Complex Societal Problems), Rexford Draman (St Edwards University), Stephen Taylor (Champlain Regional College), Steven Brant (Tramtab Management Systems), Kenneth Laird (Southern Connecticut State University), Gary Hirsch (Consultant)

 

MS-7: Complex Societal Problems

Time: Sunday, Nov. 21, 10:00-11:30am
Place: TBA
Session Facilitator: Hong Yin (The University of Texas at Dallas)
Presentations:

 

Comparative Comments on Community Informatics and Community Operations Research 

  • Type: Refereed Research Paper
  • Authors/Presenters: Don I. Petkov (Eastern Connecticut State University), Olga S. Petkova (Central Connecticut State Univ), Marianne D'Onofrio (Eastern Connecticut State University)
  • Abstract: This paper provides a comparative analysis of Community Informatics and Community Operations Research and possible directions for development of appropriate research methods for Community Informatics. Provides discussion of the potential lessons for Community Informatics that could be derived from the evolution of both fields.

Chaos Theory and Complexity 

  • Type: Invited Research Abstract
  • Authors/Presenters: Dorien DeTombe (Int Euro OR WG Complex Societal Problems)
  • Abstract: System dynamic models of complex problems combined with chaos theory show that the outcome of political decisions is uncertain even when the exercises are performed with utmost care. However making these models by carefully defining the problem by following the Compram method excludes more uncertainty then without using this method.

The Importance of Smart Communities Initiatives for Local and Regional Development 

  • Type: Invited Research Abstract
  • Authors/Presenters: Helena Lindskog (University of Linköping, Sweden)
  • Abstract: Complex Societal Problems Session: The Smart Community concept is widely used and the phenomenon is global, supported by local initiatives and governments. This paper analyses the importance of introduction and usage of ICT as well as the economic consequences of private and public cooperation for the community development.

How Can a Democracy Protect Its Own Democracy (submission #1151)

  • Type: Research Abstract
  • Authors/Presenters: Stephen Taylor (Champlain Regional College)
  • Abstract: Various western societies can be considered as democratic, liberal, open, multicultural, multiethnic, pluralistic societies. However, they can also provide extremists, terrorists, and fundamentalists ways to actually block democracy. How can society prevent itself from becoming either an anarchistic or a totalitarian system? How can we educate people to value the democracy?