ABSTRACT. This research focuses on developing and testing a conceptual model that explores customer behavioural responses (engagement, experience, recommendation) towards generative AI-enabled chatbots. It highlights the significant influence of anthropomorphic characteristics in enhancing perceptions of competence and warmth, further enhancing perceived authenticity. Additionally, the study investigates how the need for social interactions moderates these relationships. The study utilized a self-administered questionnaire distributed on Prolific Academic to gather data from 282 eligible participants worldwide. The study uses a structural equation modelling approach to answer the research questions. The findings reveal that anthropomorphic characteristics of generative AI-enabled chatbots are positively associated with perceived competence. Moreover, the findings show that generative AI-enabled chatbots' perceived competence and warmth are significantly associated with perceived authenticity. Furthermore, the results highlight that the perceived authenticity of generative AI-enabled chatbots is positively associated with customer engagement, experience and recommendation. Finally, the results illustrate that the need for social interaction significantly moderates the impact of anthropomorphic characteristics on perceived warmth.

ABSTRACT. Effective change management in complex, relational service or enterprise environments, those involving multiple agencies and diverse cultural contexts, requires a higher-level framework based on cybernetics second-order concepts such as principles, objectives, roles, responsibilities, intentions, and awareness. These concepts are crucial for ensuring accountability in human actions, far beyond the basic functional data typically handled by institutional ICT platforms. Current ICT platforms, without an updated information paradigm, are inadequate for addressing accountability questions in complex socio-technical settings—whether analysed by humans or Trained Generative AI modules; eventually equipped with the necessary hermeneutic interpretation abilities, unavailable as yet however. In 2020, Martin and Wilson introduced a new, suitable Information Communica-tions (IC) paradigm designed for ICT platforms. This paper revisits IC concepts and utilizes a conversation model to explore the connection between AI and accountability, presenting the resulting framework for second-order governance. Although the need for a shift in the formal ICT paradigm is clear, the momentum for such change has yet to fully develop. However, we foresee that the growing application of Trained Generative AI to institutional ICT data will drive a significant shift toward this new paradigm. With access to second-order da-ta and future, enhanced hermeneutic abilities, or with appropriate human approaches at using Trained Gener-ative AI system that influence and bias AI result with human interpretation, AI-generated narratives could be-come not only plausible but also credible and reliable. In collaboration with colleagues, we are currently de-veloping a prototype conversational platform that enables second-order communications within information systems in ICT.

ABSTRACT. Conversational AI development lacks inclusivity and diversity, which contributes biases that have the potential to create and spread misinformation. This study explores how inclusivity and diversity in Conversational AI development can be fostered to restrict misinformation. The study follows a qualitative methodology including semi-structured interviews and focused groups with 30 conversational AI users and developers. This research in progress paper is expected to make a theoretical contribution to research on misinformation and the role of inclusive and diverse conversational AI. It contributes to the literature on responsible AI, and the literature on chatbots and digital assistants use within workplaces. The study is also expected to have practical implications that will benefit users, organisations and society through actionable recommendations to foster conversational AI development with characteristics of inclusivity and diversity.

ABSTRACT. Generative AI (GenAI) technologies have captured the attention of business leaders in a powerful way due to their transformational potential. To understand leadership attention to GenAI technologies, we develop a framework based on the attention-based view of the firm. A survey with 419 IT decision-makers commissioned via YouGov brings together aspects of situated attention (external environment, issue characteristics) and the structural distribution of attention (slack resources, organisational data readiness). We find that industry peer pressure primarily drives both leadership attention and the expected benefits of GenAI. The study points to the importance of explaining the allocation of attention to strategic priorities in information systems research. It further improves our understanding of the emerging transition from hype to reality in the early stages of business use of AI technologies.

ABSTRACT. AI chatbots offer a potential solution to increase accessibility and efficiency in mental health care. However, their implementation raises significant ethical concerns, including data privacy, lack of human empathy, and potential misuse. This study uses interviews to investigate end-user experiences with AI chatbots in a mental health context. Overall, while users appreciate their convenience and accessibility, they primarily view them as supplementary tools for early interventions, not replacements for human therapists. To maximize the benefits of AI chatbots while mitigating risks, it is crucial to prioritize strong data security, maintain human empathy in care, and clearly define their role as supplementary tools. By addressing these ethical considerations, AI chatbots could contribute positively to mental health care.

ABSTRACT. Artificial intelligence (AI) intervention in the clinical environment has possessed the capacity to revolutionise radiology by enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of diagnostics. However, the success of implementing such AI-based diagnostic tools relies significantly on healthcare workers' perceptions of confidence, which are pivotal in mitigating resistance to AI integration within clinical workflows. This study explores the main barriers and facilitators affecting healthcare workers' perceptions pre- and post-adoption of AI tools in radiology in the Saudi Arabia healthcare system transformation under Vision 2030. The investigation utilises semi-structured interviews to provide in-depth insights and employs thematic analysis to recognise emerging trends. Preliminary results from the literature show that aspects such as education, training, workflow, and cultural readiness have a significant role. As a work-in-progress, this investigation aims to contribute theoretically and practically to the domain of digital health innovation by addressing gaps in comprehending the viewpoints of radiology healthcare professionals. The developmental paper exhibits the research framework, methodological technique, and foreshadowed contributions, seeking constructive criticism to refine the research and augment its significance.

ABSTRACT. Like the service industry, academia provides intangible outputs (education, knowledge dissemination, research) that directly benefit students, researchers, industries, and society. With the increasing importance of digital technologies, the sector experiences challenges. Generative AI holds promise for creating content, automating tasks, and enhancing organizational efficiency, but implementing it effectively has its challenges. This study investigates the key resources and barriers to the implementation of Generative AI in service-driven organizations. Through a systematic review of recent research, key resources are identified, such as organizational understanding, financial strength, strong technology skills, and positive expectation of results as enablers of successful GenAI implementation. At the same time, barriers like data privacy issues, lack of knowledge, regulatory concerns, and data quality appeared. Our framework shows the most important resources for each phase of GenAI implementation, from early adoption planning to actual use of GenAI. This study offers practical guidance to help organizations prepare for GenAI, manage critical resources, and overcome common challenges for a smoother, more effective implementation.

ABSTRACT. This paper aims to investigates the influence of Generative AI (GAI) on control configurations within open-source knowledge networks, using Stack Overflow as a case study. Traditionally, control mechanisms on Stack Overflow are largely informal and rely on a merit-based reputation system that incentivizes high-quality, contributions from a community of over 23 million developers. However, the introduction of GAI disrupts these established control dynamics, challenging the integrity of knowledge validation processes and altering accountability structures. Analysis reveals that GAI’s influence shifts the network from structured control configurations to a discourse-driven environment – which is not a static state. Insights on the role of GAI in these configuration changes suggest that control structures, particularly driven by merit-based activities, are greatly under pressure as the human mimicking nature of this technology introduces various challenges.

ABSTRACT. Police authorities have high expectations on surveillance technology to increase efficiency and security. Since the technology often is provided by private actors, a set of tensions and dilemmas arise. Public actors are driven by their official authority assignment, while private actors are driven by commercial interests. Drawing on a current example where police officers used facial recognition technology as part of their official work, this paper explores tensions that arise at the intersection between public and private actors in an surveillant assemblage and what consequences they entail. We introduce assemblage theorizing as an approach to explore the increasingly blurred boundaries between public and private actors in complex, socio-technical arrangements. By identifying the tensions, the paper contributes with insights into various dilemmas linked to accountability, control, legitimacy, privacy, power and transparency that can arise in the regulatory context in connection with the availability and use of facial recognition.

ABSTRACT. This study critically examines the impact of integrating ChatGPT, a generative AI tool, into global education systems, highlighting both its transformative potential and the intricate challenges it presents. Utilizing the Cognitive AI Framework developed by Fu (2023), the research explores how ChatGPT can enhance personalized learning and operational efficiency while navigating ethical, cultural, and regional obstacles. Findings reveal that while ChatGPT supports differentiated learning and encourages self-directed study, its reliance on user data and susceptibility to algorithmic bias raise significant ethical concerns. Regional disparities, such as stringent data privacy laws in Europe and limited digital infrastructure in parts of Asia and Africa, further complicate its adoption. The study emphasizes the necessity of culturally adaptive AI solutions and ethical literacy programs to mitigate these challenges. By applying the Cognitive AI Framework, educators and policymakers can align AI integration with diverse educational values, promoting equitable access and fostering responsible use. This research underscores the critical need for a balanced approach to AI adoption, ensuring technological innovation does not exacerbate existing educational inequalities.

ABSTRACT. Despite numerous advancements in technology and its development, research students face various challenges including knowledge updating within their respective fields, unavailability of information sources and finding topic relevance. A student-centred platform making using of AI and personalised support is a long-term solution and hence the "Adaptive Student Research Experience Platform with Contextual Recommendations and Real-Time Analytics" will be able to reduce these challenges. More common problems that research students come across are finding it hard to collaborate with others having similar interests, lacking teamwork opportunities, feeling isolated and having to spare a long time waiting for feedback on ideas. Hence this platform will be extremely helpful in creating a sense of belonging among the students. It provides a collaborative environment for group work, peer feedback, open forums and an AI assistant to answer question quickly which will reduce delays and motivate students to pay more attention to the demands of their research. This study has been conducted by using the survey-based research methodology to gather information from a group of research students. Appropriateness of features was determined through this, and it emphasised that there exists a need for features like real-time chat, peer feedback, and AI-driven suggestions. This project in progress discusses how the platform will address problems with the aim of enabling students to realise more ambitious projects, hereby enhancing productivity in research by means of easily accessible, interactive, and customized support

ABSTRACT. This paper critically examines the application of reflexivity in the development and early implementation of the Digital Maieutic Project, an initiative that integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles with artificial intelligence (AI) to create adaptive and inclusive educational environments. The key to this project is ‘Socrates’, an AI chatbot designed to embody dialogic learning through the Socratic method and to apply the UDL principles of multiple means of representation, engagement and action/ expression. The project team adopted a reflexive approach, drawing on Bell and Willmott’s (2020) model of constitutive, epistemic and disruptive reflexivity to navigate ethical considerations, power dynamics and interdisciplinary challenges. Through reflective dialogue, the team addressed tensions inherent in integrating AI within UDL frameworks such as technological constraints in delivering multimodal content, ethical dilemmas regarding student autonomy and the need for cultural relevance in AI interactions. Early feedback shows that ‘Socrates’ fosters student engagement and improves administrative efficiency, yet critical questions remain about defining and measuring success in AI-mediated education. This paper contributes to the broader discourse on the sociomaterial dynamics of AI in higher education by positioning reflexivity as a critical framework for iterative learning and ethical accountability.

ABSTRACT. The research investigates stakeholder identification, selection, and involvement in digital economy policy development and implementation, focusing on Nigeria's National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (2020-2030). It addresses the gap in effective stakeholder engagement in developing digital policies in sovereign developing countries. The study employs the Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH) framework to analyse stakeholder roles and involvement. The overarching aim of the PhD thesis is to develop a framework for beneficiary-focused policies applicable in developing nations – given their distinct power dynamics characteristics that often question the motivation for acting on behalf of the public. Through interviews with policymakers, implementers, and beneficiaries, the research explores the rationale behind stakeholder selection, power dynamics, expertise utilisation, and perceptions of legitimacy. The findings will contribute to a new framework incorporating evidence-backed criteria for identification, selection, and involvement, thereby offering guidelines for effective stakeholder engagement in developing national digital economy policies.

ABSTRACT. As technological advancements, including emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, reshape business landscapes, SMEs face unique challenges in adapting to volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA). Digital transformation (DT) has become a critical strategy for sustaining competitiveness, particularly for SMEs, which play a significant role in driving economic growth and innovation. However, existing research has largely focused on digital-native and large organisations in developed regions, leaving a gap in understanding the leadership attributes required for DT within SMEs in developing countries. This study addresses this gap by identifying specific leadership qualities necessary for effectively navigating the complexities of DT. Using an inductive qualitative approach that combines an extensive literature review with survey-based empirical insights, this paper proposes a digital leadership framework. Apart from contributing to addressing the literature gap, this framework aligns with the unique needs of SMEs in developing contexts, supporting their resilience, adaptability, and potential for growth.

ABSTRACT. This developmental paper argues that academic research can transform from a detached-from-society approach via action research in collaboration with stakeholders toward an activist research approach when academic research can aid in preserving the digital freedom of citizens and prevent erosion of constitutional rights by the proliferation of digital state surveillance We have built upon case study research on state surveillance in African countries to conceptualise the role academic research can take in this context to formulate an engaged research agenda.

ABSTRACT. Personalisation of the learning process has gained attention in the field of education, particularly due to the advancements in new technologies. Personalised learning (PL) refers to customization of the learning process to meet the diverse needs of individual learners and their characteristics. While PL has gained momentum in enhancing students’ online experiences and in providing personalised learning experiences, numerous challenges continue to hinder its effective implementation. Furthermore, its application in the context of Open Distance Learning (ODL) institutions within the African continent remains underexplored. In understanding its exploration within the African context, this study describes the underlying challenges that inhibit its implementation within an African ODL institution. The study involved the collection of empirical data through qualitative interviews and data analysis using an inductive approach. The study's major findings include limited infrastructure, restrictive policies, the digital divide, and teachers’ reluctance to adapt to new and online teaching methods.

ABSTRACT. Smart homes promise to enhance quality of life, yet evidence about their perceptions and the implications for vulnerable populations—who could potentially benefit most from this technology—remains inconclusive. Addressing this knowledge gap, this study adopts an exploratory approach to investigate smart home perceptions among individuals from diverse social backgrounds, focusing on the social characteristics that influence willingness to adopt. Through qualitative, field-based insights, we identified seven key factors—compatability, cost, aesthetics, comfort, uncertain usability, complexity and energy savings—as central to smart home adoption, each influenced by users' personal circumstances and vulnerabilities. These findings were integrated with existing literature to conceptualise a research model addressing the task-technology fit of smart homes for users with varying vulnerabilities. This model lays the foundation for further quantitative testing, offering insights for creating more inclusive smart home environments and promoting broader adoption.

ABSTRACT. The application of technologies in healthcare offers substantial benefits for stakeholders. Due to the recent advances in emerging technologies, these benefits are further improved for individuals experiencing chronic conditions, especially people living with dementia. Healthcare professionals, especially caregivers, could be assisted by such technologies in the monitoring and recording of health conditions of patients. However, the trend and type of technologies applied in dementia care and a comprehensive analysis of such technologies in dementia care are limited. Therefore, this study uses the PRISMA approach to examine previous studies, identify gaps, and outline research directions. In addition, the NASSS (non-adoption, abandonment, scale-up, spread and sustainability) framework was used as a tool for analysing healthcare technologies in dementia care. From the analysis, we identified five themes to support future research in dementia care. The key challenges associated with technologies in dementia care are ensuring interoperability, understanding economic and ethical implications, and aligning with patient and caregiver needs. In future studies, expanding the literature review could provide valuable insights into the significance of all the seven domains of the NASSS framework.

ABSTRACT. Healthcare chatbots are increasingly used to provide immediate, on-demand support for clinical care, mental health, patient engagement, and administrative efficiency. As these digital agents become more integrated into healthcare service delivery, designing chatbots that aim to foster social interactions has attracted interest from both academia and practice to enhance user trust and engagement. Social design elements such as human-like visual appearance, communication style, and personality have been examined by a number of studies in recent years. However, the knowledge related to the effectiveness of these social design cues remains segregated as this topic spans different use scenarios and different research areas including information systems, human-computer interactions, psychology and medicine. To obtain a comprehensive overview of what social designs of healthcare chatbots have been studied so far and how they affect users’ interaction outcomes in the context of healthcare services, this study presents a systematic literature review (SLR) to synthesise existing research. Using a comprehensive search across four databases, this review identifies 62 records after the first round title-keywords-asbstract screening. We will present the full results at the conference.

ABSTRACT. This developmental paper examines the impact of parental surveillance in the digital society, where monitoring has shifted from visible check-ins to constant tracking through devices like smartwatches and apps. Through a series of semi-structured interviews with 18 parents of children aged 0-21, it addresses the question: how do parents/guardians manage the paradox of whether to monitor their children’s digital activities in the hope of protecting them from the risks of using digital technologies while allowing them the autonomy to navigate the digital society without parental guidance? This paper presents preliminary findings on how technology intended for protection may intrude on the autonomy and privacy of parents’ children as well as other parents’ children.

ABSTRACT. Plastic waste presents a significant environmental and socio-economic challenge in Ghana, where urbanization and rising consumption rates exacerbate the inefficiencies of waste management systems. This paper conceptualizes a novel framework grounded in the principles of the sharing economy to address this challenge. The proposed model leverages digital platforms to connect households, waste collectors, recyclers, and businesses, incentivizing plastic waste collection and promoting circular economic activities. Drawing on circular economy, network theory, and behavioural economics, the paper articulates pathways for stakeholder collaboration and value creation. The framework is positioned to enhance sustainability, generate economic opportunities, and mitigate environmental degradation. Implementation strategies and policy implications are discussed to highlight the practical relevance and scalability of this innovative approach.

ABSTRACT. The aim of this paper is to measure the environmental impact of an innovative solution for using blockchain in healthcare. Thanks to this technology, new healthcare services such as the traceability of patient consents are being developed with the aim of reducing costs and improving the quality of care. However, despite their virtual nature, digital technologies, and blockchain technologies in particular, are based on physical infrastructures that generate significant externalities for the environment and consume a lot of energy during their manufacture, use and end-of-life. These externalities are one of the main criticisms of these technologies. As part of a case study, we carried out a comparative Life Cycle Assessment of two solutions for managing patient consent in clinical trials. In this article, we establish that the proposed innovative solution based on blcokchain technology has an average reduction in environmental impact of 44% compared with the current solution, while performing the same function.

ABSTRACT. The sharing economy is gaining traction in South Africa, with platforms such as Uber, Bolt, HomePlus, Kandua and AirBnB leading the way. Some studies are even predicting that sharing economy services could significantly boost the global economy, contributing several billions of dollars. As a result, issues such as social exclusion in developing countries might be reduced due to the success of sharing economy services. This qualitative study follows an interpretive philosophy and inductive approach. The targeted audience was the general public who utilises sharing economy platforms that facilitates handyman services. Twenty-two interviews were analysed. The findings provide policymakers with insights on possible interventions that need to be done to align with the people’s needs, concerns and preferences. Notably, the study found the affordance of increased inclusivity and equality and a contradicting barrier – increasing inequality. Additionally, the paper reveals a new gap (marketing) that is relevant, and actionable in South Africa.

ABSTRACT. Research on blockchain technology has primarily focused on financial services, yet its broader applications and value drivers remain underexplored. Little attention has been given to identifying the necessary value sources within the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) ecosystem for effective composition by its entities. Our study identifies core elements that organizations should consider when adopting DLT to foster value co-creation with customers and partners. This study serves as a foundational step in establishing a value system to enhance the managerial activities within the DLT network. To fill this gap, we propose a conceptual framework that outlines essential Value Generation Objects (VGOs), also referred to as Capitals, which are critical for a well-functioning DLT ecosystem. By breaking down the DLT ecosystem into ecosystem members and the technology itself, we address the question, "What are the VGO elements essential for each DLT ecosystem entity?" Our framework provides a structured map of DLT ecosystem Capitals, offering scholars and managers an initial tool for understanding ecosystem composition. This model also establishes a basis for performance measurement, enabling entities to assess alignment between activities and value generation objectives.

ABSTRACT. In Neal Stephenson’s visionary novel Snow Crash, the “Metaverse” presents a virtual utopia where cyber avatars transcend physical limitations, engaging in vibrant interaction and creation. In 2003, Second Life emerged as a pioneering glimpse of this digital frontier, allowing users to connect globally through an immersive 3D world. Today, platforms like VRChat and Decentraland have evolved beyond screens, utilizing advances in head-mounted displays and body-tracking movements to enable rich, embodied interactions. These technological leaps invite exploration of how VRChat users communicate through a visual-body language that reshapes our understanding of mediated senses and social interactions in the virtual realm.

ABSTRACT. There is a rapid increase in AI-based systems using NLP-based conversational assistants and AI agents for task augmentation and automation. However, despite the advancements in AI technology, challenges persist regarding the different interpretations of Responsible, Trustworthy and Explainable AI, as well as understanding the evolution of their practices. Using a systematic literature review, we will explore the relationships between responsible, trustworthy, and explainable AI in the organisational context. Furthermore, we will use a practice-based approach to identify the best practices for AI implementations and investigate how these practices evolve when they are situated in different organisational contexts. We will use a qualitative multiple case study design with semi-structured interviews in two organisations: a recruitment company with an AI platform for customers and a telecommunications company using AI for customer services. This research will contribute to IS literature by identifying the different types of responsible, trustworthy, and explainable AI best practices and how they evolve.

ABSTRACT. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in classic games, highlighting nostalgia's role in enhancing the emotional appeal of retro games. Despite this, limited research has focused on what triggers nostalgia in players. To explore this further, we used grounded theory and inductive reasoning to investigate psychological traits linked to nostalgia in retro gaming. Through 19 interviews with retro game players, our study identified eight key drivers of game-induced nostalgia: social disconnectedness, the need for social stability, belongingness, feelings of meaninglessness, self-discontinuity, boredom, a desire for competence, and the tendency to escape reality. These findings expand existing theory by offering a deeper understanding of retro game consumption and distinguishing consumer profiles, thereby informing the retro gaming market.

ABSTRACT. Organizations worldwide embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives across diverse fields, from healthcare to transportation. While AI may offer significant benefits, there are also concerns related to issues such as bias, privacy, transparency, reliability, and accountability. Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks and principles have emerged to address these issues. However, operationalizing RAI remains a challenge. In this paper, we report findings from a survey of C-level managers and AI developers from Europe and North America. We explore the perceptions of these different practitioner groups and identify areas of consensus and divergence. The results suggest that organizations may face challenges in effectively operationalizing RAI principles due to diverging perspectives. By identifying gaps in understanding and differing priorities regarding RAI principles, this research enhances our comprehension of the dynamics that influence real-world RAI practices. The insights gained can facilitate improved intraorganizational communication and collaboration, ultimately fostering more responsible AI deployment.

ABSTRACT. As technology advancements continue to transform our daily lives, it is important to acknowledge the challenges and risks they can potentially create for users. One potential source of negative impacts is the perpetuation of developers’ unconscious biases within technology. Unconscious bias refers to the belief that we act upon our deeply ingrained ideas that we are unaware of, and these ideas can thus result in discriminatory behaviours towards others. However, despite the significant impacts they can have on users, research on unconscious biases within Information Systems (IS) design remains limited. Our study employed a qualitative approach to gather insights from practitioners into the different forms of unconscious bias that can affect the design process. Our findings point towards the risks associated with authority bias, blind spot bias, assumption bias, and stereotyping. Building on these insights, we present recommendations to mitigate these including diverse user engagement and contextualising the use case.

ABSTRACT. This paper combines literature analysis and focus group discussion to explore the role of moral judgments in generative AI use within the creative industries, focusing on whether professionals perceive it as morally acceptable. Utilising literature to inform our focus group questions, we sought to understand how creatives use generative AI, if at all, the ethical barriers to adoption, the perceptions of the generative AI creative output and the broader implications of generative AI use. In our focus group, we found there was a range of generative AI use cases, and how it was used had a bearing on whether it was deemed morally acceptable. Ethical barriers ranged from individual moral objections (e.g. a sense of copying others’ work), collective moral objections (negative impact on creative education and industry as a whole), and broader ethical concerns about energy usage. The qualitative analysis and literature review have helped to form a theoretical framework which we aim to empirically test.

ABSTRACT. This work-in-progress paper describes a research paper that aims to explore the impact AI at the level of professions. In the modern world, professions are characterized by distinct attributes and practices that set them apart from other occupations. They typically possess a systematic body of theory, professional authority, community sanction, ethical codes, and a unique professional culture. They play a crucial role in creating and maintaining institutions, with different professions focusing on various aspects such as cultural-cognitive frameworks. Professions also tend to have a specific career pathways, norms and codes that are determined by the profession rather then the organisations that professionals work for. At a time when AI is threatening disruption across the entire labor market, this research explores how that disrpution may present at the level of professions.

ABSTRACT. With its unique capability of generating a wide variety of content, generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) has garnered significant attention from both academicians and practitioners belonging to various industries. It has reshaped structure of traditional work and presented promising potential approaches to enhance work systems. Through this paper, we aim to understand the impact of job crafting using Gen AI on performance. We propose that when employees craft their jobs using Gen AI, it will lead to an increased trust and reliance on Gen AI. This state can impact the employee’s and their team’s performance depending upon AI advocacy by organisation and the level of employee’s commitment to the organisation and its values.

ABSTRACT. Financial organizations face significant risks when they neglect vulnerable customers, including increased default rates, regulatory challenges, and damage to their reputation. Traditional, reactive service models, which primarily address vulnerabilities during in-person interactions, are becoming less effective as branch offices decline. As a result, proactive measures are now essential to support these customers and protect financial institutions. While previous research on the digital divide in financial services has explored vulnerability, it has often focused on specific groups, such as those with financial limitations. However, vulnerability is a multifaceted issue that encompasses a broader range of factors. Given the growing importance of digital transformation in the financial industry, various data sources such as transactional, behavioral, external, and socio-demographic datasets can be processed through data analytics and AI to identify vulnerability. Therefore, developing a comprehensive vulnerability scale would help financial institutions proactively assist vulnerable individuals, improving both customer support and the institution’s long-term objectives.

ABSTRACT. Organisations, particularly large ones with multiple stakeholders involved in their business processes, frequently face challenges related to process efficiency and productivity, leading to wasted resources, time, and effort, ultimately reducing overall output and performance. These issues can stem from poor workflow design or a lack of automation. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are no exception. For example, in academic interventions, current process models often fail to account for the complexity of the organisational context. At Salford Business School, Academic Personal Tutors (APTs) play a key role in academic intervention to support student success, by monitoring student activity and intervening when necessary. However, manually consolidating data from various platforms is time-consuming and limits the team's ability to focus on personalised student support. This paper presents an ongoing project aimed at optimising processes by utilising AI-driven data analysis, automation, and the Microsoft ecosystem for process modelling and data integration. In this developing paper, we will discuss the preliminary work we have completed on the project and outline the plans for its future development.

ABSTRACT. The Metaverse is a virtual, immersive and interoperable digital space that has opened new avenues for experiential learning and workplace training. This paper examines the effectiveness of training within the Metaverse environment and its potential impact on corporate training practices, through a review of current literature and case studies. We explore the shift that the Metaverse can initiate, not only for creating immersive, interactive learning experiences, but for placing the employee at the centre of them. Our findings suggest that these environments can significantly enhance learning retention, engagement, and practical skills development positioning organizations to take a responsible and constructive approach in leading this shift. However, challenges such as technological barriers, data privacy, accessibility and content development complexity must be addressed for successful integration.

ABSTRACT. The business value of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a prominent topic in Information Systems (IS) literature. As our knowledge around it becomes more nuanced, the intricacies of the relational aspects and their effects to value creation and capture become observable, particularly in interorganizational settings. This study sheds light on these aspects, by examining the factors that lead to value creation in partnerships around AI, but also the factors that impede value creation and capture. It follows a qualitative meta-analysis approach, drawing from the relational view on value creation. The study is founded on 20 empirical studies on AI business value and identifies the relational factors that are discussed as prominent when it comes to value creation and capture. The study informs both IS research and practice, by pointing to relevant factors that are influential, but also to factors not extensively discussed yet, thus providing a research agenda for future research.

ABSTRACT. This literature review aims to enhance the current understanding of the knowledge and gaps concerning Equality, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EEDI) in relation to technology within the field of Information Systems (IS). Utilising a scoping review methodology, this study identifies six emerging themes and eighteen corresponding sub-themes that illustrate how EEDI and technology have been explored in the top eleven IS journals. Additionally, three key relationships between EEDI and technology are identified, demonstrating how the two concepts influence one another within the context of IS literature. This study provides critical insights and implications for future research on EEDI and technology by identifying the current knowledge gaps within the IS field.

ABSTRACT. Social media fatigue has gained considerable attention in recent years from both scholars and business practitioners. While previous research has explored the antecededents and consequences of social media fatigue, a comrevensive understanding of the factors contributing to social media fatigue and ites effect remain limited. .This research aims to address these gaps by examining social media fatigue through the lens of the information-based perspective, with a focus on identifying key factors that lead to social media fatigue and understand its impact on users’ intention to switch to alternative social media platforms.

ABSTRACT. Generative AI has revolutionized the creation of synthetic data, offering scalable and privacy-preserving solutions for data augmentation, testing, and analytics. However, the growing adoption of generative AI technologies raises critical ethical questions, including biases in generated data, misuse risks, accountability gaps, and potential erosion of trust. This systematic literature review employs Chitu Okoli’s method to synthesize the ethical implications of generative AI-induced synthetic data. By analyzing peer-reviewed articles, industry reports, and guidelines, this study categorizes the key ethical concerns, evaluates existing mitigation strategies, and identifies research gaps. The findings contribute to ethical AI discourse by highlighting challenges and proposing avenues for developing responsible generative AI applications. This work provides valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to balance innovation with ethical integrity.

ABSTRACT. This paper analyses approaches to qualitative research, with the focus on women academics’ narrative in the Higher Education in the UK. The authors have considered a number of different research strategies (case studies, ethnographies etc) and research designs (interviews, focus groups, surveys etc), in order to result in the appropriate approach to this particular research. The paper also covers information on research participants and the data analysis process, focusing on thematic analysis for this study.

ABSTRACT. The purpose of this paper is to explore the social, policy and legal underpinnings of secured cloud environments for the transmission and storage of classified or sensitive research information. Using cyber supply chain risk management (CSCRM) as a conceptual lens, we propose that universities will be increasingly required to adopt such secured exchanges for the protection of research data; not just from a research security perspective, but also to protect privacy, intellectual property rights and meet any obligations under cybersecurity or critical infrastructure laws. Early adopters of the technology will benefit the most, with those institutions which do not adequately embed CSCRM in their IT practices likely to be more vulnerable to internal and external threat actors.

ABSTRACT. The paper develops a “multi-layered responsible cybersecurity” perspective as a holistic and collective approach to protecting people, organisations, supply chains and societies. This perspective posits that responsible cybersecurity extends beyond regulatory compliance, to the extent that it encompasses different layers of responsibilities that span across techno-centric, human-centric, organisational (intra and inter) and societal perspectives. Our theoretical development emerges from raw data through an exploratory study that involved qualitative interviews with senior cybersecurity professionals and consultants. The “responsible cybersecurity” perspective generates significant implications. First, it has implications for cybersecurity research in that it provides an integrative and balanced approach to viewing the multiple and diverse stakeholders who might be impacted by potential attacks that expand beyond regulations and the organisation. Second, it has implications for digital responsibility research in that responsible cybersecurity can be viewed from different layers each exposing different stakeholders who may be affected as well as different responsibilities.

ABSTRACT. Predictive Risk Intelligence (PRI) is an AI use case currently deployed across various domains to forecast potential risks before they occur. At the heart of its predictive engine, is a confluence of machine learning (ML) and big data technologies referred to as smart information systems. Optimal utilization of this use case is expected to bring benefits to organisations and contribute to the drive towards sustainable development goals outlined by the United Nations. However, these advantages are hindered by system threats and vulnerabilities which are accompanied with ethical implications. There is a limited corpus of Empirical academic work in this particular field that is related to the governance of PRI and the wider applications of SIS. This paper aims to review the state of the art and contribute to empirical findings to evaluate how ready organizations are to integrate PRI as a driver towards SDGs whilst mitigating the ethical implications.

ABSTRACT. In the digital era, governments around the world have embraced advanced technologies to improve their tax administrations. This is particularly important for developing countries, where corporate tax misconduct is a severer issue. We focus on the Golden Tax Project IV (GTP IV) in China, which initially emphasizes the adoption of digital technologies to tax administration, and investigate its impact on corporate tax avoidance. We do a difference-in-differences (DID) regression analysis to compare the degree of corporate tax avoidance between the pre- and post-GTP IV period for the treatment firms which are subject to GTP IV, relative to the control firms that are not. We do a propensity-score matching to form a sample of Chinese listed firms for the DID regression analysis. We find that GTP IV curbs corporate tax avoidance, with a more pronounced effect on firms that feature a relatively higher propensity to avoid taxes (e.g., non-state-owned firms (vs. state-owned firms), higher-risk firms and firms with smaller size, greater financial constraint or higher financial opacity). Our study highlights the effectiveness of digitalized tax administration, as illustrated in the setting of GTP IV, in fostering a more equitable and efficient tax system. Therefore, it would motivate tax authorities worldwide to further pursue or enhance digitalization in tax administrations.

ABSTRACT. This paper conducts a systematic literature review of the transformative impact of big data analytics on supply chain orientation. Following a structured methodology based on the PRISMA framework, 80 articles were analysed to identify themes and synthesis results. The review shows that vig data analytics enable organisations to achieve more data-driven and more strategically aligned supply chain orientation through improved decision-making, supply chain orientation visibility, risk management and efficiency. However, challenges such as data heterogeneity, technological infrastructure, governance and human resources need to be addressed to fully exploit big data in supply chain orientation. This analysis reveals how practitioners can work with big data analytics to enhance their supply chain activities and gain a competitive edge in a dynamic environment today.

ABSTRACT. Interoperable financial technologies (i-FinTech) present transformative solutions to supply-side barriers in rural financial inclusion. This study examines how i-FinTech adoption impacts formal financial institutions (FIs) by reshaping lending behaviour, operational strategies, and policy frameworks to improve credit access for smallholder farmers (SHFs). Using the Punjab Government’s ‘e-Credit’ initiative as a case study, the research explores the role of mobile wallets, APIs, and digital collateralization in fostering seamless connections between FIs, public institutions, technology and mobile network providers. Employing a qualitative methodology, including semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis of policy documents, the paper provides insights into supply-side barriers and practical evidence of institutional change. Findings highlight i-FinTech’s potential to expand outreach, reduce costs, and enhance transparency, addressing FIs’ hesitations to engage with SHFs. This paper offers actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners, demonstrating how i-FinTech can drive rural financial inclusion by aligning institutional strategies with digital innovation.