Journal of Reproducible Research

SPECIAL ISSUE: BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION, COMPLEXITY, AND FUTURES

Guest Editors:

Dr. M.F. Haraké (GBSB Global Business School, Spain/ Malta & Université de Poitiers, France)

Dr. Sudhanshu Bhatt (Sanjivani University, India)

Dr. George Kassar (Ascencia Business School, France)

Dr. Valliappan Raju (Gisma University for Applied Sciences, Germany)

Call for Papers - Journal of Reproducible Research (JRR)
Background & Scientific Positioning

Contemporary business environments are increasingly characterized by volatility, uncertainty, and systemic complexity. Technological disruption, geopolitical instability, climate risks, and social transformation continue to challenge traditional management and economic models, particularly those grounded in linear and equilibrium-based assumptions.

In response, a growing body of research conceptualizes organizations as complex adaptive systems embedded in dynamic and interdependent environments (Anderson, 1999; Holland, 2006; McKinley & Scherer, 2022). This perspective emphasizes non-linearity, emergence, and feedback effects, highlighting the limits of conventional planning approaches in the face of systemic risk (Bennett & Lemoine, 2020).

Strategic foresight and futures literacy have consequently emerged as key organizational capabilities, enabling anticipation, adaptability, and long-term value creation under uncertainty (Godet, 2000; Rohrbeck & Kum, 2018). At the same time, leadership and governance are increasingly understood as relational and sensemaking processes shaped by ethical considerations, institutional pressures, and stakeholder complexity (Weick, 1995; Maak & Pless, 2006; Hoffmann & Waddock, 2022).

Digital transformation further reinforces these dynamics. While technologies such as AI and platform-based models create new opportunities, they also introduce risks related to opacity, control, and ethics. Recent research emphasizes the importance of aligning technological innovation with organizational capabilities and socio-technical systems (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014; Hanelt et al., 2021; Stigliani & Ravasi, 2021).

Sustainability and ESG considerations position firms within broader societal systems, framing long-term value creation as a systemic and strategic challenge (Freeman et al., 2010; Bansal et al., 2021; George et al., 2021). Entrepreneurship research complements this view by examining how organizations respond to adversity and complexity, including the distinctive role of family enterprises and transgenerational dynamics (Gómez-Mejía et al., 2007; Shepherd & Williams, 2020).

Further, global business is increasingly shaped by geopolitical tensions and fragmented value chains, calling for integrative approaches that connect strategy, institutions, and societal transformation (Danneels & Vestal, 2020).

It is within those perspectives of business transformation, complexity and futures that this special issue of the Journal of Reproducible Research (JRR) is positioned.

Suggested Topics and Tracks

Submissions for this Special Issue may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Complexity, Risk, and Strategic Foresight: Focus on organizations as complex systems and the role of foresight and risk management in navigating uncertainty (Anderson, 1999; Rohrbeck & Kum, 2018).
• Leadership, Governance, and Organizational Transformation: Examine leadership and governance as relational processes addressing ethics, legitimacy, and institutional complexity (Weick, 1995; Hoffmann & Waddock, 2022).
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Transformation: Explore socio-technical innovation, digital transformation, and entrepreneurial responses to dynamic environments (Hanelt et al., 2021; Shepherd & Williams, 2020).
• Sustainability, Geopolitics, and Global Value Creation: Analyze ESG integration, geopolitical risk, and sustainable value creation in global contexts (Freeman et al., 2010; Danneels & Vestal, 2020).
• Accounting, Finance, and Economics: Investigate financial and economic systems supporting resilience and long-term performance (Bansal et al., 2021).
• Marketing and Business Communication: Focus on stakeholder engagement, legitimacy, and communication in digital environments (Zuboff, 2019).
• Business Administration and Management: Address organizational design, workforce resilience, and operational adaptability (McKinley & Scherer, 2022).

References

Anderson, P. (1999). Complexity theory and organization science. Organization Science, 10(3), 216–232.
Bennett, N., & Lemoine, G. J. (2020). What VUCA really means for you. Harvard Business Review, 98(1), 27–29.
Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The second machine age. W. W. Norton & Company.
Danneels, E., & Vestal, A. (2020). Normalizing vs. analyzing disruptions. Strategic Management Journal, 41(S1), 191–209.
Freeman, R. E., Harrison, J. S., Wicks, A. C., Parmar, B. L., & de Colle, S. (2010). Stakeholder theory: The state of the art. Cambridge University Press.
Godet, M. (2000). The art of scenarios and strategic planning. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 65(1), 3–22.
Gómez-Mejía, L. R., Haynes, K. T., Núñez-Nickel, M., Jacobson, K. J. L., & Moyano-Fuentes, J. (2007). Socioemotional wealth and business risks in family-controlled firms. Administrative Science Quarterly, 52(1), 106–137.
Hanelt, A., Bohnsack, R., Marz, D., & Antunes Marante, C. (2021). Digital transformation. Journal of Management Studies, 58(5), 1159–1197.
Hoffmann, P. S., & Waddock, S. (2022). Managing purpose-driven firms. Business & Society, 61(8), 1890–1925.
Holland, J. H. (2006). Studying complex adaptive systems. Journal of Systems Science and Complexity, 19(1), 1–8.
Maak, T., & Pless, N. M. (2006). Responsible leadership. Journal of Business Ethics, 66(1), 99–115.
McKinley, W., & Scherer, A. G. (2022). Complexity theory and organization studies. Academy of Management Review, 47(1), 1–23.
Rohrbeck, R., & Kum, M. E. (2018). Corporate foresight and firm performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 129, 105–116.
Shepherd, D. A., & Williams, T. A. (2020). Entrepreneurship responding to adversity. Journal of Management, 46(7), 1221–1253.
Snowden, D. J., & Boone, M. E. (2007). A leader’s framework for decision making. Harvard Business Review, 85(11), 68–76.
Stigliani, I., & Ravasi, D. (2021). Managing uncertainty in innovation. Organization Studies, 42(8), 1219–1248.
Williams, T. A., Gruber, D. A., Sutcliffe, K. M., Shepherd, D. A., & Zhao, E. Y. (2021). Organizational response to adversity. Academy of Management Annals, 15(2), 737–786.
Zuboff, S. (2019). The age of surveillance capitalism. PublicAffairs.