ICIS 2021 “Service and Information Systems Research for a Better Future”, 13th December

Workshop Organizers

Christoph Peters, University Of Kassel, Germany & University of St. Gallen, Switzerland
Christian Bartelheimer, Paderborn University, Germany
Jessica Sanmartin, University of Bern, Switzerland
Christoph F. Breidbach, The University of Queensland, Australia

Theme of the Workshop

The ongoing digital transformation—driven by an ever-accelerating speed at which innovative technologies are developed—offers manifold prospects and challenges on the individual, organizational, and societal level. It is agreed that digital technology should be developed and deployed to increase well-being and quality of life for all human beings. In line with the conference theme of ICIS 2021, this workshop aims to question which role service research can play in pursuing to fight for the future of our planet, e.g., by understanding the environmental impact of individuals, organizations, and our society. Some principles that might guide us in how a better future can look like are prescribed in the definition of a Society 5.0—a society that follows leitmotifs such as inclusiveness, equality, and empowering of individuals—that is postulated by the Japanese Cabinet Office  and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Purpose of the Workshop

This workshop intends to facilitate the discourse amongst IS researchers interested in service science. We invite those interested in discussing how service research can play a pivotal role in achieving a better world in the future. Thereby, the workshop participants are requested to develop their ideas in a short paper before the workshop. This way, other participants can get acquainted with the topic, and we can start a fruitful discussion at the workshop itself, which provides an interactive and fun format to present, challenge, and develop breakthrough ideas on Service Science and IS.

Format of the Workshop

The workshop will be conducted on Sunday, December 12^th, as a half-day event, including three sessions. We will start with a brainteaser from the SIG SVS leadership team who pitch their views on how service research in IS can contribute to achieving a better future. The first workshop session will feature a Ph.D. Service Science Slam, inviting all Ph.D. Students to present and discuss their current work that is related to service research in any form. We plan a short presentation with subsequent feedback/discussion. In the second session, a senior service scholar will pitch his/her views on current trending topics in the discipline, again, followed by a discussion. A wrap-up and the annual SIG Services assembly will conclude the workshop.

Target Audience

The primary target audience includes the current members of the AIS SIG Services and other researchers interested in how service research can have a positive impact on our society. In particular, we especially encourage the ‘next generation of service researchers’ to present their work in the workshop and all others to provide feedback and discuss trending topics in service research.

Important dates / Submissions of short papers

Accepted short papers will be presented at the workshop in a short presentation. Please hand in your papers via email to the workshop organizers. Acceptable papers must satisfy the ICIS formatting guidelines for research-in-progress papers. They must be at least four pages long (references excluded) but no longer than regular research-in-progress papers submitted to ICIS.

The timeline for submissions is as follows:

• 31.10.2021: Submission deadline for short papers/research pitches
• 15.11.2021: Acceptance decisions made and authors notified
• 13.12.2021: Workshop day online