ISKSS
International Society for Knowledge and Systems Sciences
Non-profit professional society
Who we are
The International Society for Knowledge and Systems Sciences (ISKSS) is a non-profit, technical professional association. It was formally established in 2003 at the International Symposium on Knowledge and Systems Sciences (KSS’2003, 29–30 November 2003, Guangzhou, China), and its members now span more than ten countries and regions.
The overall purpose of ISKSS is to promote the development of knowledge science and systems science, and the collaboration between the two. It further seeks to encourage research and facilitate communication among scientists and professionals from a wide range of disciplines and professions at local, regional, national and international levels.
Our Mission
Two sciences, one society: ISKSS brings knowledge science and systems science together so that each can serve the other as methodology and tool.
Knowledge Science
Understanding the nature of knowledge and its role in applications: how knowledge is created, represented, shared and used to improve competitive advantage and comprehensive national strength in a knowledge economy.
Systems Science
Modelling complexity, structure and dynamics across natural, social and engineered systems, providing the rigorous methods and holistic perspectives that make knowledge actionable in real-world settings.
Initiatives we drive
We are moving into a new era of knowledge economy. Over the past decades, the significance of developing knowledge has grown to a level where it now dominates other socio-economic factors. This development challenges institutions to understand the nature of knowledge and its role in applications, to effectively utilise knowledge for improving corporate competitive advantage and comprehensive national strength, and to establish knowledge science as a discipline in its own right.
The defining feature of knowledge science is its interdisciplinary programme on an international scale. ISKSS exists to promote this exchange of knowledge across disciplines and borders, exploring new territories and new frontiers.
- A tolerant, broad-based and open-minded approach to the discipline, rather than a premature strict definition of knowledge science.
- Knowledge science and systems science used for one another as methodology and tool, so that both benefit.
- Research exchange and communication among scientists and professionals at local, regional, national and international levels.
“Knowledge sciences and systems sciences can be used for one another as methodology and tool and benefit each other. Around these disciplines, we initiated and established ISKSS.”
ISKSS and the KSS Series
The International Symposium on Knowledge and Systems Sciences is the flagship annual event of ISKSS. KSS 2026 in Auckland is the 25th symposium in the series.
Previous KSS
Explore the history of the symposium, from its origins in 2000 to Kitakyushu, Hobart, Guangzhou and beyond.
View past symposiaIFSR Member Society
ISKSS is a member society of the International Federation for Systems Research (IFSR).
ISKSS on ifsr.org
Listed on ifsr.org