Villanova University
Updated Program Announcement
4/14/99
RUSSELL
L. ACKOFF AND THE ADVENT OF
SYSTEMS THINKING
A Conference to Celebrate the Work of Russell L.
Ackoff on his 80th Birthday
and Systems Theory and Practice
March 4-6,1999
Was Held on the campus of Villanova University
(Located 30 minutes from Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.)
Click here for Conference Hotel Information
Click here for Registration Form -- Print This Form Using Your Browser's Print Command
Click here for Directions and Maps to Villanova University
Click here List of Conference Attendees
Click here to download the Conference Proceedings in Adobe Acrobat PDF Format (1.2mb)
Click here to download the Conference Proceedings (400K)
This Download is a self-extracting file that will place a MS WORD DOC
file on your computer.
Download It to a Folder, Then Open that Folder and Click on the ACKOFF99 icon.
Click here to download the Zip File of the Conference Proceedings (370K)
Use a Zip program like PKUNZIP to Unzip the File ACKOFF99.ZIP It will place a MS WORD DOC file on your computer.
Click here for the Conference Schedule
Papers submitted for presentation at the conference can also be submitted to a special issue of Systems Practice and Action Research. Submission guidelines for both the conference and the journal are given below.
Conference Chair: Matthew J. Liberatore, Ph.D., Associate Dean,
Villanova University
Villanova, PA 19085-1678, U.S.A.
Conference Program
The conference program will include sessions organized into three tracks:
Track Chair: Bill Roth, Allentown College
E-mail wwroth@nni.com
Systems Applications in Business
Track Chair: David Nawrocki, Villanova University
E-mail nawrockid@aol.com
Information Technology and Systems Thinking
Track Chair: Sasan Rahmatian, California State University -- Fresno
E-mail sasan_rahmatian@csufresno.edu
Conference Chair: Matthew J. Liberatore, Villanova University
E-mail Conference Chair: Matthew Liberatore
Abstracts, papers and session proposals addressing these topics should be sent directly to the Track Chairs who will make decisions on acceptance. Those wishing to make presentations on topics not covered by the three tracks mentioned above should send their submission directly to the Conference Chair who will make decisions on acceptance. The deadline for submissions is December 15, 1998. Notification on acceptance will be Made by January 15, 1999. Submissions should be sent by e-mail, preferably as IBM - compatible Microsoft Word documents.
A Conference Proceeding will be published.
Call for Papers for a Special Issue of
Systems Practice and Action Research (SPAR)
On the occasion of Russell L. Ackoffs 80th birthday a special issue of Systems Practice and Action Research (SPAR) will be published. The purpose of the issue is twofold: (1) to produce a tangible reminder of the unique learning experience in the Social Systems Sciences Program, his creation, and (2) to demonstrate the vitality and diversity which continues in the teaching, research, and practice of the 'students' who passed through this experience (via their physical presence or intellectual connection).
The Social Systems Sciences Program (1970s-80s) at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania was noted for combining theory and practice, escaping disciplinary bounds, and driving students toward independent thought and action. The learning environment was fostered by distinguished standing and visiting faculty such as Eric Trist, C. West Churchman, Haas Ozbekhan, Thomas A. Cowan, and Fred Emery.
Papers are sought from those who have significant experience in the social systems sciences tradition and have found ways to build on that experience. The editors encourage innovative and exploratory activities rather than retrospective analysis and criticism. It is expected that the papers will be highly varied, even deviant in terms of topic or method. Papers considered or presented at the S Cubed Reunion Conference in Philadelphia last February may be re-submitted for journal consideration.
Instructions for Submission
Completed papers should not exceed 5-6,000 words. Depending upon the length of the papers selected, approximately eight or nine papers will be published. The instructions for submission found in SPAR may be used, substituting the mailing instructions listed below. The deadline for submission is December 15, 1998. Notifications will be made no later than the third week ofJanuary. Submissions should be sent via email preferably as an IBM-compatible MSWord document to BOTH of the guest editors:
Margaret M. Nicholson
Gettysburg College
Home 1 717 545-1595
Office 1 717 337-6649
E-Mail
mnichols@gettysburg.edu
Kent Myers
Carson & Associates
Home 1 703 765-4040
E-Mail
myersk@us.net
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