Is the System Dynamics Society ready for virtual proceedings: Some empirical findings and recommendations for action

As methods of publishing documents have moved from paper to a wide variety of electronic formats, the publication policies of the System Dynamics Soci ety have also changed from full-text paper proceedings to a mix of paper ab stracts, and CD-ROM and Web-based full-text documents. These changes have b een instituted not only to facilitate access to documents, but also to save the considerable cost of publishing full-text volumes for conferences. Int erview research at the 1997 System Dynamics Conference in Istanbul, Turkey looked at participants' access to and use of electronic information technol ogies for full-text conference articles. Interviewees reported lack of tech nology, insufficient knowledge about technologies, lack of professional inc entives, and institutional demands as barriers to the use of strictly paper less dissemination of information. The Society will need to consider a mult i-step transition to electronic proceedings, serving as an educator as well as clarifying the roles of the proceedings and the journal for disseminati on of differing sorts of information about research in this field. Although it seems clear that the future lies in electronic communication, the speed and method of getting there need careful consideration. (C) 1998 John Wile y & Sons, Ltd.