Purpose - This paper aims to review current developments that have been initiated by the advent of the new technologies. Design/methodology/approach - A general review and survey of selected research and development topics. Findings - Illustrates the multi- and trans-disciplinary nature of cybernetics, systems and management sciences. Practical implications - The choice of reviews provides an awareness of the current trends in these areas of endeavour. Originality/value - The reviews are selected from a global database and give a studied assessment of present-day research and development initiatives.