The International Society for the Systems Sciences is among the first and oldest organizations devoted to interdisciplinary inquiry into the nature of complex systems, and remains perhaps the most broadly inclusive. Originally founded as the Society for General Systems Research, the society adopted its current name in 1988 to reflect its broadening scope.
The initial purpose of the society was “to encourage the development of theoretical systems which are applicable to more than one of the traditional departments of knowledge,” with the principal aims to investigate the isomorphy of concepts, laws, and models in various fields, and to help in useful transfers from one field to another, to encourage the development of adequate theoretical models in areas which lack them, to eliminate the duplication of theoretical efforts in different fields and to promote the unity of science through improving the communication among specialists.
The ISSS has expanded its scope beyond purely theoretical and technical considerations to include the practical application of systems methodologies to problem solving. Even more importantly, it has provided a forum where scholars and practitioners from across the disciplinary spectrum, representing academic, business, government, and non-profit communities, can come together to share ideas and learn from one another.
