Systems Thinking and Design for Transformative Innovation
A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Practice in Social Science".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: systems thinking methodologies and models; design perspective on use of digital technologies; education.
Interests: digital transformation; learning technologies; systemic innovation; information security; applied artificial intelligence
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: digital transformation; systems thinking; information systems; digital innovation; digital business models;
Interests: systems thinking; soft systems thinking; soft systems methodology; ssm learning cycle; higher education; research; coordinated ssm; didactical transposition; praxeologies; digital business model innovation; digital innovation;rich picture; complexity
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
In the realm of sustainability, we find ourselves at a pivotal juncture. Despite the growing prominence of sustainability, business and organizations must grapple with critical questions: Are our current efforts sufficient? Are we reversing negative socio-ecological trends? Are we addressing root causes or merely symptoms?
This Special Issue aims to explore the synergies between systems thinking and design in fostering sustainable innovation and transformation across various domains. Systems thinking offers a holistic approach to problem-solving, emphasizing interconnectedness, feedback loops, and dynamic complexity. Design, on the other hand, provides tools and methodologies for creative problem-solving and user-centric solution development. When combined, these two disciplines offer a powerful framework for addressing complex challenges facing society today, particularly in the context of sustainability.
Papers included in this Special Issue will delve into theoretical frameworks, case studies, and practical applications that demonstrate the integration of systems thinking and design for sustainable innovation and transformation. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- Theoretical foundations of systems thinking and design thinking;
- Methodologies for integrating systems thinking and design in innovation processes;
- Case studies illustrating successful applications of systems thinking and design for sustainability;
- Tools and techniques for facilitating collaboration between stakeholders in sustainable innovation projects;
- Ethical considerations and implications of using systems thinking and design for sustainability initiatives.
By bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, this special issue aims to advance our understanding of how systems thinking and design can contribute to sustainable innovation and transformation, ultimately guiding efforts towards a more sustainable and resilient future.
Prof. Dr. Anita Mirijamdotter
Dr. Fisnik Dalipi
Dr. Erdelina Kurti
Dr. Sadaf Salavati
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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.
Keywords
- systems thinking, sustainability, digital transformation, design, sustainable innovation, ethics
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