SAPNAAC 2021 Conference: SAP Academic Community Conference 2021 Online Online, Canada, September 11-12, 2021 |
Conference website | http://sapnaac.ucc.uwm.edu/#conf2021 |
Submission link | https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=sapnacc2021conferenc |
New Frontiers in Enterprise Systems Research and Practice
Schedule
- September 11-12, 2021 (from 11 am to 4 pm ET each day)
- Virtual keynotes, presentations by fellow faculty and industry representatives, and networking
- Submission link
- Registration link (Registration cost $50)
Calls for Participation
The SAP North America Academic Community (SAPNAAC) is excited to announce Academic Community Conference 2021 (AC21) held online on September 11-12, 2021. The Conference agenda revolves around keynote presentations from industry leaders, paper presentations, and a networking event. We will also coordinate joint events with colleagues in the SAP Academic Board DACH in Europe for new opportunities to foster a growing global network focused on innovation in research, teaching, and practice in enterprise systems.
AC21 is seeking extended abstracts/research in progress on various topics exploring new technologies and issues in enterprise systems from multiple perspectives. These include but are not limited to fundamental research, practice-oriented cases, emerging areas such blockchain/robotic process automation/cloud computing/AI augmentation, and classroom use of enterprise systems.
AC21 is a wonderful avenue to present research in progress and seek constructive feedback. AC21 also provides high-value networking opportunities with academics and industry professionals. Please see the full call for papers below submit today! Submissions are accepted through August 1, 2021.
All research papers will be double-blind peer-reviewed. They will be shared in the conference proceedings online in the SAPNAAC library after being presented. Additionally, each track will host a best paper award to recognize the top contributors. Note that all papers are to be submitted as an extended abstract no later than August 1st, 2021. Authors will receive notification of acceptance by August 16, 2021.
Authors will be expected to have camera-ready final submissions ready for September 1, 2021. Paper submissions should follow this template and be submitted to the most suitable of the four research tracks available (described below).
In addition to the research paper tracks, as track 5, we are hosting Teaching, Research, Education, and Diversity (TRED) Talks, which will accept 1-page proposals for shorter presentations until August 15, 2021. Submissions to the TRED Talks will be editorially reviewed and published in the proceedings as 1-page abstracts.
Conference Registration ($50 cost)
Track 1: Emerging and Evolving Technology and Innovations
Chair: Vishal Shah (shah3v@cmich.edu) Submission type: 2-3 pages extended abstract
The research committee of SAPNAAC is seeking paper presentations on emerging technology, including Blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. Distributed Ledger Technologies (DLT) and blockchain (the technology behind Bitcoin) are currently disrupting multiple industries, including the financial sector. Financial tech has already seen applications of blockchain and DLT in high-frequency and algorithmic trading, digital securities, peer-to-peer lending, and cross-boundary payment systems, for example.
IoT allows devices to send data to private blockchain networks. Such data is then used to create tamper-resistant records of shared transactions. By leveraging these new protocols, enterprises can enable secure, trust-less messaging between devices in an IoT network. AI systems often use the trove of data generated by IoT devices to predict and optimize various business processes. AI has found application in various areas, from learning optimization, driverless cars, healthcare to drones. Despite the proliferation of AI systems, most problems are often solved through human beings and computers working cooperatively. Thus, Intelligence Augmentation (IA) is also equally important. Further, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) via tools such a UIPath. Celonis has also risen to prominence to discover and address bottlenecks in the business processes and supply chains. Papers that span or integrate blockchain, IoT, RPA, and AI systems or address them individually are encouraged. The track is also interested in research on continuously changing cloud computing platforms that support and implement these emerging technologies. We also encourage papers that address these emerging areas in the context of an enterprise system. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- AI biases in prediction
- Role of ethics in AI
- Human and machine Augmentation
- Enterprise-wide AI/IA integration models
- AI applications in logistics, supply chain, workplace communication, HR
- Blockchain and distributed ledger technology in enterprises
- Fintech business models and analytics
- Cryptocurrencies and digital money/ Initial Coin Offering (ICO)/ Securitized Token Offering (STO)
- Blockchain-driven social innovation
- Data governance issues related to blockchain
- Internet of Things applications of blockchain
- IoT security
- Blockchain and supply-chain visibility
- Use of cloud computing as it relates to AI/IA, DLT, IoT, and RPA
Track 2: SAP use in the Academic Sector
Chair: Jan E. Christopher (jchristopher@desu.edu) Submission type: 1-3 pages extended abstract
The research committee of SAPNAAC is seeking paper presentations in the areas of SAP Products, such as Ariba, Concur, Fiori, Qualtrics, SuccessFactors, used in the academic sector. The committee encourages the submission of action research papers that illustrate challenges and lessons learned, and demonstrate the value of SAP implementation for educational institutions in terms of operational savings, financial improvement, customer/user experience, security and compliance, and the increased equity and inclusion of non-represented groups.
Examples of potential topics include: Challenges in rolling out new functionality; data accuracy and accessibility; driving down costs through technology use; streamlining financial operations; innovation sustainability, and intelligent technologies. Topics specific to SAP utilization in the Academic Sector include: Cloud technologies and Office 365 integration; Compensation Management, Onboarding, and Terminations; Contract Management; Data Governance, the Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning; Grants Management and Sponsored Research Self-Service; Managing electronic employee time sheets; Managing student applications; Purchasing, online payments, and non-P.O. invoicing; SAP Payroll; SAP for inventory/warehouse management systems; SAP Process Integration; SAP S/4HANA implementation; SAP user adoption; SAP Products to Manage High Volume Transactions; Student Retention; and Travel Management. Other topics of general interest include: Information security and records management; Mobile Applications; Cloud Services; and Social Collaboration Services.
Track 3: Pedagogical research
Chair: Gene Shan (shan@uhcl.edu) Submission type: 1-2 pages extended abstract
The research committee of SAPNAAC is seeking paper presentations in the areas of pedagogical research focusing on SAP Products, such as Predictive Analytics, Analytics Cloud, S/4 HANA, ERP, Fiori, Qualtrics, SAP Enterprise Blockchain, Human Resource Management, Interaction with Low-Code Application Development, Internet of Things (IoT), Business ByDesign, and others. With the advent of emerging technologies such as blockchain, in-memory and cloud computing, data science, social sentiment analysis, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet of Things, both enterprise systems practice and education are rapidly evolving.
Papers focusing on business education related to enterprise systems, pedagogy, and curriculum development and implementation including but not limited to innovative teaching approaches, student engagement, serious games, directed student learning such as internship or co-op programs, challenges and opportunities in online teaching and engagement, active learning, learning analytics, educational data mining, course materials, SAP-embedded curriculum design & implementation, extra-curriculum activities, outcome assessment, case studies, capstone projects and faculty learning community development are invited. Work-in-progress is welcome. Preferences will be given to SAP-related content.
Track 4: Future of Corporate Innovation and Design Thinking
Chair: Victor Taratukhin (victor.taratukhin@sap.com) Submission type: 2-3 pages extended abstract
The research committee of SAPNAAC is seeking paper presentations in the area of Design Thinking and Methods of Corporate Innovation. Presentations submitted in this track focus on the practice and theory of innovation development and ideation as opposed to the resulting solutions. Topics of interest include but are not limited to:
- New Frontiers in Open Innovation
- Human-Centered Approach to Innovation
- Design-driven methods and tools.
- Stanford Design Method, Design Thinking, Advanced Design Thinking
- Design Thinking for Engineering and Management Education
- Innovation and Team collaboration in post-COVID world
- Gamification and Virtual Reality applications for Innovation
- Industry applications of Design Thinking
Track 5: Teaching, Research, Education and Diversity (TRED) Talks
Chair: Michael Bliemel (mb@ontariotechu.ca) Submission type: 1 page extended abstract (Note: this track has a deadline of August 15th)
We are introducing a new way to participate at the SAP UA conference with TRED Talks, inspired by the TREO talks at ICIS and TED talks. You will submit a one-page abstract that will be editorially reviewed for fit with the conference theme. Once accepted you will have a 5-10 minute presentation that will need to be submitted the week before the talk. The aim is to build a rapid-fire program of exciting and interesting ideas on promoting Teaching, Research, Education, or Diversity in the SAP University Alliances. TRED Talk submissions will be publicly shared in the conference proceedings to inspire the broader community and to find innovation partners. Preference is given to papers that include SAP-related content.
Topics that could be submitted for TRED talks include the following:
- Ideas for novel teaching innovations you are looking to develop
- Research ideas that leverage SAP UA curriculum or technologies
- Novel ideas for improving education within the UA community
- Ideas to increase diversity and inclusion in academic programs and the workplace
Conference Co-chairs:
Douglas Battleson (dbattleson@edinboro.edu)
Associate Professor at Department of Business and Economics - School of Business, Edinboro University
Vishal Shah (shah3v@cmich.edu)
Associate Professor at Department of Business Information Systems - College of Business, Central Michigan University
Publication
Conference proceedings will be published by The SAP North America Academic Community (SAPNAAC)