Preface to the special issue “ICVNS 2018”

Abstract

The Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) metaheuristic is based on systematic changes in the neighborhood structure within a search. It has been successfully applied for the solution of various global and combinatorial optimization problems. The aim of this special issue of Journal of Global Optimization (JOGO) is to present some recent methodological developments in the field of Variable Neighborhood Search and also to publish emerging applications in this area. The VNS papers in this issue are linked to the 6th International Conference on Variable Neighborhood Search (ICVNS 2018), which was held in Sithonia, Halkidiki, Greece, during October 4-7, 2018. Each submission was peer reviewed by at least two referees, according to the editorial policy of JOGO. Sixteen articles were submitted to this issue and after the refereeing process, six of them were finally accepted for publication.