October 1999 Call for Papers AJSE Special Issue on Optimization Theory and Applications The Editorial Board of the Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering (AJSE) plans to publish in June 2000 a theme issue on Optimization Theory and Applications. The AJSE hopes to bring together, in a single issue, research papers that represent the state of the art in this vast and rapidly growing area. The scope of this theme issue encompasses, but is not limited to, the following areas: linear programming, interior and exterior methods, quadratic programming, large scale optimization, stochastic programming, nonsmooth optimization, nonconvex programming, semidefinite programming, integer and combinatorial optimization, LCP, variational inequalities, heuristic-based optimization and industrial applications. Four copies of the manuscript should be submitted by Jan. 10, 2000 to Professor Harry Mavromatis, Managing Editor, The Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, KFUPM Box 5033, Dhahran 31261, Saudi Arabia. Telephone: (+966) 3 8605418; fax: (+966) 3 8605458; e-mail: ajse@kfupm.edu.sa EJOC Special Issue on MDCA Methodologies for Classification and Sorting Both classification (nominal groups) and sorting (ordered groups) are often encountered in a variety of fields including finance, marketing, environmental and energy management, human resources management, medicine, etc. The major practical interest of the classification/sorting problem has motivated researchers in developing an arsenal of methods in order to develop mathematical models achieving the higher possible classification accuracy and predicting ability. For several decades multivariate statistical analysis techniques and econometric techniques have dominated this field, despite their parametric nature and statistical assumptions that have caused a major criticism on their applicability in practice. The advances in multicriteria decision aid (MCDA) over the last three decades provide an alternative non-parametric approach to study classification/sorting problems. The scope of this special issue is to present the most recent advances on the development and application of classification and sorting techniques from the MCDA perspective. Papers presenting methodological advances to address classification and sorting problems in an integrated context within the MCDA framework are of particular interest to this special issue. Papers investigating the potentials of the integration of alternative non-parametric approaches (neural networks, machine learning, rough sets, fuzzy sets, etc.) with the MCDA approach are also welcome. Submitted papers must include original research involving new methodological developments, experimental results, decision support systems and/or knowledge-based systems implementing discrimination/sorting techniques, as well as real-world case studies. All manuscripts should follow the typewriting instructions of the European Journal of Operational Research, and should be submitted in four copies by Dec. 31, 1999 to Prof. Constantin Zopounidis, Special Issue Editor, Technical University of Crete, Financial Engineering Laboratory, University Campus, 73100, Chania, Greece. Phone: 30-821-37236, 69551; fax: 30-821-69410, 37236; e-mail: kostas@dias.ergasya.tuc.gr. Special Issue on Information Technology/Operations Management Interface In recent years, there has been a substantial growth in the use of information technologies to manage the operations function in the manufacturing and service organizations. Researchers are invited to submit high-quality papers addressing the IT/operations interface in a special issue of Production and Operations Management. The deadline for paper submission is Nov. 15. Papers using any rigorous research methodology are welcome including quantitative models, empirical approaches and managerial studies. All papers will be reviewed according to the standards of Production and Operations Management. Authors should submit five copies of the manuscript (formatted according to the information for contributors section of the journal) to: Professor Kalyan Singhal, Merrick School of Business, University of Baltimore, 1420 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Authors should indicate, in their letter of transmittal, that their submission is for the special issue. IFSAM and ASAC Joint International Conference IFSAM and ASAC invite management scholars from around the world to participate in their Joint International Conference in Montreal, Canada, July 8-11 2000. The theme of the conference is "Taking Stock." The idea is to take the opportunity of the new millennium to step back and look at what management scholars and teachers have contributed to management knowledge, education and practice, and to consider what we might do better in the future. The conference welcome submissions dealing with all areas of management scholarship including management science, production and operations management, information systems, technology and innovation management, management education, marketing, entrepreneurship, strategy, human resources, organizational behavior and organization theory. Contributors may submit regular format articles (10 single-spaced pages maximum) or poster papers. The conference encourages the submission of proposals for international symposia that bring together people from different countries to address a topic of common interest, preferably with some relation to the conference theme. The deadline for submissions from outside Canada is Dec. 5. For more information, including detailed instructions for preparing submissions, visit the conference web site: http://asac-ifsam2000.uqam.ca or contact the conference chair, Jean Pasquero (pasquero.jean@uqam.ca), Professeure, Ècole des sciences de la gestion, Universitè du Quèbec á Montrèal, C.P. 6192 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montrèal, H3C 4R2, Canada; Fax: (514)-987-3343; phone: (514)-987-3000 X4862 Table of Contents OR/MS Today Home Page OR/MS Today copyright © 1999 by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. All rights reserved. Lionheart Publishing, Inc. 506 Roswell Street, Suite 220, Marietta, GA 30060, USA Phone: 770-431-0867 | Fax: 770-432-6969 E-mail: lpi@lionhrtpub.com URL: http://www.lionhrtpub.com Web Site © Copyright 1999 by Lionheart Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.