Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis for Complex Service and Supply Chain Systems

Dear Colleagues,

In an increasingly interconnected and data-driven world, decision-making in complex service and supply systems has become a multidimensional challenge. Decision-makers are required to balance economic efficiency, environmental sustainability, social welfare, resilience, safety, and digital transformation within dynamic and uncertain environments. Traditional optimization and analytical approaches are frequently insufficient to capture these interdependencies and trade-offs.

This Special Issue of Systems explores the potential of Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) and related decision-support methodologies that enhance the performance, adaptability, and sustainability of complex systems. Emphasis is placed on integrative, system-level approaches that combine Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, simulation, and optimization to enable transparent, data-driven, and adaptive decision-making.

We welcome contributions addressing diverse application domains—including service systems, supply chains, transportation and mobility, public and environmental services, as well as digital and smart urban ecosystems. Both methodological and applied studies are encouraged, with a focus on advancing systemic performance, sustainability, and resilience. Interdisciplinary studies bridging engineering, operations research, management, transportation, and information systems are especially encouraged.

The goal of this Special Issue is to foster systemic approaches that improve decision quality, resilience, and sustainability, as well as to support the creation of intelligent, adaptive, and sustainable value networks in a rapidly evolving global context.

Dr. Diana Božić
Dr. Patricija Bajec
Dr. Katarina Mostarac
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.