Ethical and DEI Implications of the Future of Work: The Role of Immersive Platforms

  • December 1, 2023
    Call for papers published


  • January 31, 2024
    Submission of extended abstracts (~1,000 words including references)


  • August 1, 2024
    Deadline for full papers submission


  • November 15, 2024
    Feedback to authors (reject, revisions)


  • February 28, 2025
    Resubmission deadline for paper granted a revision


  • June 15, 2025
    Feedback to authors (reject, conditional acceptance)


  • July 1, 2025
    Resubmission deadline for papers granted conditional acceptance (camera ready)


  • August 1, 2025
    Accepted papers published online

Editors

  • Marco Marabelli, Bentley University
  • Sue Newell, Warwick Business School
  • Manju Ahuja, University of Louisville
  • Bob Galliers, Bentley University

Description

In this call for papers, we seek manuscripts that explore the future of work with respect to immersive platforms enabling innovative work practices and ask prospective authors specifically to consider the potential pitfalls (i.e., concerning ethics and DEI) of all this.

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the operations of most companies worldwide to move online. The education systems along with several other services for citizens, including public administration, healthcare etc. followed suit. In a sense, the COVID-19 pandemic served as an unintended natural experiment, testing the extent to which current technologies are able to support remote/virtual interactions via immersive platforms. At the same time, the pandemic also exposed limitations of these arrangements, setting the groundwork for novel ways (and technologies) to promote further such interactions in the future.

Overall, we welcome empirical, theoretical, review and perspective/position papers. While we are inclined to recommend that papers with empirical data are preferred, we understand that we are discussing a phenomenon in its becoming. Yet, papers with primary data or those that systematically analyze secondary data on organizations using novel technologies for remotization are strongly encouraged. JSIS is inclusive as to the use of methods of any kind. Qualitative, quantitative, archival/historical analyses, mixed method papers, and experiments are all welcome, as long as rigor leads the collection of data and its analysis. Importantly, conclusions, critical reflections and impacts should result. Strong theoretical contributions are required for empirical and theoretical papers. Perspective/position papers should also contribute to theory, by developing a research agenda, with implications for practice also being highlighted.

Potential topics

  • People analytics in organizations, leveraging virtual realities with a focus on privacy/discriminations
  • The present and future of telehealth with the support of immersive platforms
  • The present and future of higher education with the support of immersive platforms
  • Predictive policing using behavioral data stemming from immersive platforms
  • Immersive platforms and academic conferences
  • Laws and regulations landscape concerning DEI and immersive platforms (and challenges for companies)
  • Immersive platforms and the environment

Associate editors

Anjana Susarla, Michigan State University
Carmen Leong, UNSW Sydney
Carolina Salge, University of Georgia
Cristina Alaimo, Luiss University
Dubravka Cecez-Kecmanovic, UNSW Sydney
Ghiyoung Im, Louisville University
Mareike Mohlmann, Bentley University
Maric Boudreau, University of Georgia
Martin Wiener, TU Dresden
Massimo Magni, Bocconi University
Romilla Syed, University of Massachusetts, Boston
Sepideh Ebrahimi, University of Waterloo
Silvia Masiero, University of Oslo
Stella Pachidi, University of Cambridge
Virpi Kristiina Tuunainen, Aalto University