About the Journal

Aims and Scope

CGN contributes to philosophical, theoretical, methodological, and empirical developments in complexity, network, and governance studies in public administration, public policy, and politics, and non-governmental organizations. We also aim to establish a bridge between the worlds of academics and practitioners. Therefore, we welcome contributions by both.

We publish content on a diverse array of topics to enhance understanding on complex, and often multifaceted issues reflected in the world today. Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts written from a variety of theoretical perspectives, including, but not limited to: rational choice theory, game theory, advocacy coalition framework, Marxist theory, critical theory. Listed below are examples of issues that theoretical and/or empirical manuscripts have covered in the past; however, authors are not limited to this list:

Definitional and conceptual issues in studying nonlinearity, emergence, self-organization, and (co-)evolution in complex political, policy, and governance systems and networks
Applications of agent-based (multi-agent) simulations and systems dynamics modeling in studying complex political, policy, and governance systems and networks and methodological issues in these applications
Applications of social network analyses in studying complex political, policy, and governance systems and networks and methodological issues in these applications
Applications of qualitative case studies and mixed methods in studying complex political, policy, and governance systems and networks and methodological issues in these applications
Case studies focusing on examples of complex behavior and network interactions in public service settings
Reflective pieces on the practical value of emerging theories

Theoretical essays and empirical studies are encouraged, and should employ at least one of the following:

quantitative methods (e.g., agent-based simulations, system dynamics, social network analyses)
qualitative methods (e.g., single and multiple case studies, content analyses)
mixed methods (e.g. qualitative comparative analysis, process analysis).

Review Process

The CGN Editorial Board and review process follows vigorous academic review guidelines and copyediting standards. CGN abides by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) code of conduct. COPE guidelines are followed where appropriate.

All manuscripts submitted to the journal will be peer reviewed. The peer review process is double blind. Editors-in-chief and editors of special issues / invited issues make every effort to complete the review process of a manuscript within two months following its date of submission.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. According to the Open Access Policy, research articles published in CGN are available to read, download and share freely as long as articles are properly cited.

For our authors, no Article Processing Charges (APCs) are required. CGN does not charge any publishing fees to authors.

Copyright Notice

This journal used a CC BY-SA license 2014-2023 and CC-BY license by default from 2024 onwards. Article authors retain possession of their work under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 (CC-BY-4.0) License.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.

Ethics Statement

CGN is a not-for-profit publishing collective. Editorial decisions are not influenced by outside commercial interests.