Journal of Decision Systems

Decision Support Systems for Sustainable and Resilient Transitions

Scope and Rationale

This Special Issue (SI) will be an open call but is inspired by the themes of the ICDSST 2026 (https://icdsst2026.wordpress.com/), organised by the Euro Working Group on Decision Support Systems (EWG-DSS, https://ewgdss.wordpress.com/) to be held in University of Plymouth, UK, 27-29 May 2026. The proposed SI will highlight the growing importance of Decision Support Systems (DSS) in shaping sustainable and resilient transitions across businesses, organisations, societies and supply chains.

In an era defined by uncertainty, disruptive technological advances, environmental threats, and shifting workforce/skill demands, organisations/societies/supply chains must adapt rapidly while pursuing sustainability, resilience, and responsible innovation (Olan et al., 2025; Alkhuraiji et al., 2014; Olan et al., 2024). DSS - spanning models, frameworks, tools, processes, and applications - are becoming critical enablers in supporting evidence-based, timely, and strategic decision-making in fast-changing environments (Power, 2008; Marakas, 2003). This SI will collect high-quality contributions that explore the theoretical underpinnings, methodological innovations, and empirical applications of DSS to address the multifaceted challenges of transitions at organisational, societal, and global supply chain levels.

Decision support systems are vital for complex business environments facing rapid market shifts, regulatory evolution, and sustainability mandates (Liu et al., 2014; Power et al., 2019). Journal of Decision Systems (JDS) increasingly incorporates DSS-enabled methodologies and approaches to balancing efficiency and quality with longer-term sustainability and resilience objectives.

Key topics to be included in the SI:

• DSS for Green and Sustainable Transitions: DSS for integrating environmental and circular economy goals, establishing indicators and metrics for production sustainability (Öfele & Braunreuther, 2024; Seuring & Müller, 2008).
• DSS for Digital Transformation: AI-powered DSS supporting digitalisation, automation, and advanced analytics in manufacturing, logistics, and workforce management (Kasie & Seleba, 2017; Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2017).
• DSS for Workforce and Skills Transitions: DSS for workforce re-skilling, hybrid work planning, and change management (Tsubone, 1995; Buer et al., 2018).
• DSS for Resilient Supply Chains, Organisations and Societies: DSS frameworks for supply chain mapping, disruption visibility, dynamic reconfiguration, organisational learning and society regeneration (Mubarik et al., 2021; Ivanov & Dolgui, 2020).

Interested approaches

Submissions to the SI should advance the understanding and/or implementation of DSS for transitions in the current rapidly changing world. Relevant approaches include:

• Conceptual models for DSS-enabled sustainability and resilience in businesses, organisations, supply chains and societies.
• Quantitative frameworks and key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring how decisions shape sustainability goals for transitions (Öfele & Braunreuther, 2024).
• Empirical studies or case-based investigations (e.g. real-world business scenarios and cases that bridge the gaps between theories and practice).
• Interdisciplinary methods bridging technological and organisational/societal readiness for sustainable change.
• Critical perspectives on DSS technology adoption barriers, human factors, social-economic values and governance frameworks.

Guest Editors

• Dr Femi Olan, Associate Professor at Essex Business School, University of Essex, UK. Femi’s research interests include digital entrepreneurship, knowledge management, performance management, and information technology with key focus in (1) the societal implications of technology, (2) the contribution of artificial intelligence to entrepreneurial resilience, and (3) emerging issues in digital entrepreneurship. His research has been published in world-leading and internationally excellent journals in the information systems and management disciplines. These include Information Systems Frontiers (AJG3, IF 6.191), Journal of Business Research (AJG3, IF 7.550), International Journal of Production Research (AJG3, IF 8.568) and Technological Forecasting & Social Change (AJG3, IF 8.593) among others. Femi is currently an Editor for Cogent Business & Management Journal (AJG 1*, IF 2.000). He has been the Guest Editor for (1) Annals of Operations Research (AJG 3*, IF 4.854) special Issue on Fake News, Misinformation and Supply Chain Disruptions, (2) Sustainability (IF 3.251) Special Issue on Sustainable Agriculture-Food Supply Chains: Innovation, Technologies, and (3) Decisions and Information Systems Frontiers (AJG 3*, IF 6.191) Special Issue on Information Management in Times of Crisis.
• Dr Uchitha Jayawickrama, Associate Professor in Information Systems and Deputy Head of Group for Research and Innovation at Loughborough University, UK. Dr Jayawickrama has published his research in various renowned conferences, books and journals. Prior to his career in academia, he worked as Oracle Functional Consultant in implementing Oracle E-Business Suite (Oracle ERP) for various industry sectors, followed by the post of Manager - IBM Solutions. He has editorial experience in various journals. He has guest-edited Special Issues for a number of international journals, including Information Systems Frontiers and International Journal of Decision Support System Technology. He has also been a guest editor for the Springer book on Lecture Notes in Business Information Processing – titled "Decision Support Systems X: Cognitive Decision Support Systems and Technologies" (2020).
• Professor Shaofeng Liu, Professor of Operations Management and Decision Making, and Deputy Director of Doctoral College at University of Plymouth, UK. Professor Liu currently is the Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Decision Support System Technology (IJDSST). She has authored/co-authored 2 books and over 200 research papers. She is the current president for Euro Working Group on Decision Support Systems (EWG-DSS). Professor Liu has extensive editorial experience. She has been senior editor, associate editor and editorial board member for 5 international journals, including IJDSST, JDS (Journal of Decision Systems, Associate Editor, 2011-2016), and Cogent Business and Management (Senior Editor, 2013-2019). She has been guest editor for 12 Special Issues in international journals, including IJDSST, JDS, and Information Systems Frontier (ISF). She has edited 8 books published by Springer and 6 conference/workshop proceedings.

 

References

Alkhuraiji, A., Liu, S., Oderanti, F. O., Annansingh, F., & Pan, J. (2014). Knowledge network modelling to support decision-making for strategic intervention in IT project-oriented change management. Journal of Decision systems, 23(3), 285-302.

Ivanov, D., & Dolgui, A. (2020). Viability of intertwined supply networks: Extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability. International Journal of Production Research.

Kasie, F. M., & Seleba, S. (2017). Decision support systems in manufacturing. Production Planning & Control.

Liu, S., Moizer, J., Megicks, P., Kasturiratne, D., & Jayawickrama, U. (2014). A knowledge chain management framework to support integrated decisions in global supply chains. Production Planning & Control, 25(8), 639-649.

Marakas, G. M. (2003). Decision support systems in the 21st century (2nd ed.). Prentice Hall.

Mubarik, M. S., Kusi-Sarpong, S., & Khan, S. A. R. (2021). Role of supply chain mapping and visibility in resilience. Production Planning & Control.

Öfele, M., & Braunreuther, S. (2024). Towards a More Sustainable Production Planning and Control. Production Planning & Control.

Olan, F., Spanaki, K., Ahmed, W., & Zhao, G. (2025). Enabling explainable artificial intelligence capabilities in supply chain decision support making. Production Planning & Control, 36(6), 808-819.

Olan, F., Nyuur, R. B., & Arakpogun, E. O. (2024). AI: A knowledge sharing tool for improving employees’ performance. Journal of Decision Systems, 33(4), 700-720.

Power, D. J. (2008). Decision support systems: Concepts and resources for managers. Greenwood Publishing Group.

Power, D. J., Heavin, C., & Keenan, P. (2019). Decision systems redux. Journal of Decision Systems, 28(1), 1-18.

Seuring, S., & Müller, M. (2008). From a literature review to a conceptual framework for sustainable supply chain management. Journal of Cleaner Production.

Tsubone, H. (1995). Decision support system for production planning—concept and prototype. Production Planning & Control.