Journal Information

Kybernetes

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Impact Factor:
2.9
Publisher:
Emerald
ISSN:
0368-492X
Viewed:
16502
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0

Call For Papers

Kybernetes is an academic journal published by Emerald. (ISSN 0368-492X, impact factor 2.9).

Aims and scope Kybernetes is an international journal established in 1972 and supported by several international learned societies and academic institutions devoted to the study and advancement of systems thinking. These include the American Society for Cybernetics, the Next Society Institute, the Cybernetics Society (UK), the International Association for Knowledge Management, the UK Systems Society, the Luhmann Conference Community, and the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics. Rooted in second-order cybernetics, Kybernetes investigates how social, psychic, organic, and technological systems observe, decide, and interrelate. Embracing Heinz von Foerster’s ethical imperative “to increase the total number of choices”, the journal promotes systemic inquiry into the manifold forms of organised complexity and the challenges of engaging, understanding, and managing them. The journal places particular emphasis on conceptual rigour, systematic self-implication, and theoretical relevance. Within the broader traditions of cybernetics and systems thinking, Kybernetes particularly welcomes theoretical and conceptual manuscripts. The journal leans towards abductive and inductive inference and values original and innovative research designs - including “theory-as-method” approaches - especially as applied across the following research fields and disciplines: • Management Science • Management Studies • Organisation Science • Organisation Studies • Social Sciences • Social Theory • Systems Theory • Design Theory • Decision Science • Information Systems • Information Management • Digital Humanities • Philosophy of Science • Communication Studies • Economics • Management and Strategy • Management Information Systems Rather than publishing streamlined treatments of mainstream topics such as climate change, digitalisation, or global governance, Kybernetes seeks contributions that offer counter-intuitive perspectives on these themes or explore emerging and alternative mainstreams. It encourages boundary-crossing work that reflects the evolving landscape of systemic challenges and opportunities. While encompassing this wide-ranging scope, Kybernetes is committed to publishing high-quality theoretical, conceptual, and methodologically innovative research with significant implications for politics, the economy, education, law, religion, the mass media, and other domains of society. Alongside scholarly articles, the journal welcomes provocative discussion papers, counter-intuitive perspectives, and Theory Transfer and Impact Articles that demonstrate the power of cybernetics and systems theories in diverse contexts of application. To ensure academic integrity, rigour, and relevance, all submitted manuscripts undergo an initial editorial assessment. If deemed suitable, they are subject to double-blind peer review by anonymous expert referees.
Last updated by Dou Sun in

Special Issues

Special Issue on Beyond Doomsday – Heinz von Foerster’s legacy in systems theory and cybernetics Submission Date: 2026-06-30 Introduction Friday, the 13th of November 2026, is Doomsday. According to von Foerster et al. (1960), it is the day when population growth will reach infinity, thus ending the possibilities of humanity to survive. Interestingly enough, it is also the day of Heinz von Foerster’s 115th birthday anniversary, which gives us a good reason to review his contribution to systems research. Heinz von Foerster has been a pioneer in this field, working closely with other leading figures such as John von Neumann, Margaret Mead, Norbert Wiener, Humberto Maturana, Francisco Varela, Gregory Bateson, or Niklas Luhmann (Umpleby, 2008). Originally trained as a physicist, he addressed numerous different topics across many disciplines. Von Foerster has shaped our understanding of second-order cybernetics and contributed significantly to the development of radical constructivism (Scott, 2004). To him, we owe the notion of the trivial machine (von Foerster, 1984), the ethical imperative (von Foerster, 2003), and many other thought-provoking concepts and expressions. The Doomsday Calculation, of course, is also a provocation. While it concerns a serious issue, is also raises questions about the use of simple mathematics to make predictions of future social development. Setting the date on Friday, the 13th associates it with superstition. Setting it on von Foerster’s birthday adds a sense of humour. Nevertheless, this article is not just a tongue-in-cheek comment on the limitations of formal modelling. Knowing that he was a leading figure of second-order cybernetics, von Foerster et al.’s (1960) article can also be read as a reflection on the possibilities to approach grand challenges in society objectively, and the dangers of ideology and self-referentiality. In this sense, Doomsday is significant for today’s scientific discourse on many levels, showing the topicality of von Foerster’s work in different ways. The aim of this special issue is to collect articles that discuss Heinz von Foerster’s work from different angles. It invites contributions from former students and collaborators who give first-hand evidence of von Foerster’s teaching and research activities, as well as conceptual and empirical works that make use of his concepts and models to study today’s world and society. Furthermore, we warmly welcome articles that look beyond the mere application of formal constructs to observe the observers in contemporary science. What can we learn from second-order cybernetics for tackling grand challenges today? How do we find a balance between enforcing the necessary steps to cope with climate changes, over-population, pollution, etc., while at the same time leaving systemic structures intact? How do we use science and engineering to create new opportunities for development and expand abilities to choose instead of limiting them? And how can we add a little bit of humour help us to fight desperation in view of all the problems haunting us? During submission, please make sure that you pick the right special issue and the right article category. Submissions Information Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available at: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/kyb Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see: https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/journal/kyb#jlp_author_guidelines Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to "Please select the issue you are submitting to". Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else while under review for this journal. Key deadlines Opening date for manuscripts submissions: 1 January 2026 Closing date for manuscripts submission: 30 June 2026
Last updated by Dou Sun in

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