SYSTEM DYNAMICS REVIEW

REPORT OF EXECUTIVE EDITOR TO POLICY COUNCIL JULY 2005 (BOSTON)

1.               Volume 21 Issue 2

This is now filled and members should receive their copies in about three weeks.

Volume 21 Issue 3

This is a Special Issue on Dynamics of Supply Chains & Networks co-edited by Henk Akkermans & Nick Dellaert.  They report that it is on-track and expect to publish 4 papers, including an Overview by the Guest Editors.

2.               Statistics

The rejection rate continues to be in the range 35% to 40%. Whilst this might reflect the rigorous and demanding standards of our reviewers their diligence also means that papers which are not rejected, but require further work, are given an agenda which may put off some authors from even attempting a re-submission. The accepted paper backlog has been a source of concern to me and I trust that now we have three Managing Editors the situation can be improved. Since the Oxford conference 45 new submissions have been logged at this office with a record influx around January 2005.

3.               New Managing Editors

Jac Vennix has resigned his post after ten years of excellent service to the journal.  He will stay on as an Associate Editor.

In order to spread the burden of the duties of Managing Editor, I have decided to increase their number to three.  Accordingly I am pleased to report that Pal Davidsen (Norway) and Bob Cavana (New Zealand) have agreed to take on the role, in addition to Andy Ford (USA) who is remaining.

4.               Manuscript Central

This is Wiley’s electronic system for handling journal article manuscripts.  It is proposed that the System Dynamics Review utilise this system and steps will be taken later this year to engage with it.

5.               Papers from Dana Meadows Award Nominees

Andy Ford has proposed that, given the quality of many of the student entries for the Dana Meadows Award, there should be a way of encouraging some of them to have their papers published in the System Dynamics Review.  This matter is to be discussed at the Editors’ Meeting during the Boston Conference.

6.               50^th Anniversary Special Issue

I have accepted a proposal for John Sterman to have a Special Issue of SDR to coincide with the occasion of  the 50^th Anniversary Conference.  This matter will also be discussed during the Editors’ Meeting in Boston.

Brian Dangerfield

Executive Editor