Ubiquitous Computing Environments: Learning from First Wave Social of Organizational Impacts

A Special Issue for

Information and Organization

Guest Editors

Kalle Lyytinen, Case Western Reserve University, kalle@cwru.edu
Youngjin Yoo, Case Western Reserve University, yyoo@cwru.edu

Computing is becoming both pervasive and nomadic. A manager’s or a knowledge worker’s use of computing and communication services is not limited to solitary moments at an office desk; it is extending to all aspects of organizational life. Many organizational processes and tasks are mediated through computing devices that are embedded in the physical environment or move with workers. Consequently, the experience of managing and organizing in the future will involve multifaceted engagements with an “intelligent” computing environment through a rich array of access methods including desk-top devices, mobile communicators, digital assistants, wrist-watches, play-consoles, clothing, RFIDs (Radio Frequency Identification Tags) and motes, just to name a few. These engagements amplify digitization of all types of information leading to new forms of service, organization and strategy based on anytime, any place computing. These ubiquitous information environments will make possible new forms of organizing, communicating, working and living.

In recent years new research challenges of organizing in and for ubiquitous information environments have been identified. They involve:

• how the bodily and the virtual will mesh in novel and unanticipated ways in the work and workplace;
• how to manage such applications in a globally distributed environment;
• how diverse technologies will be adopted, integrated and utilized by individuals, teams and organizations;
• how virtual teams, organizations, business processes and management structures can profitably deploy and draw upon ubiquitous computing; and
• what are the policy and societal issues that need to be addressed and recognized as part of the adoption of pervasive computing.

The special issue of Information and Organization will focus on organizational and behavioral research issues in ubiquitous information environments. To this end the special issue seeks original manuscripts on (but not limited to) the following topics:

• new theories of organizing and coordination in ubiquitous computing environments
• studies of body and mind in bodily embedded computing
• new forms of interacting with computing devices
• theoretically informed empirical studies on the use and adoption of ubiquitous computing environments in different organizational settings
• theoretical analysis or ethnographic studies on various aspects of virtuality and mobility
• knowledge sharing and communication in socio-technical networks of humans and computers
• learning and working on the road
• new regimes of work organization
• power and control in ubiquitous environments
• cultural and societal issues on ubiquitous computing diffusion and usage

Though the above list is not intended to be restrictive and researchers are encouraged to submit original manuscripts for the special issue that relate to one or more of the above issues. The goal of the special issues is to increase our understanding of the impacts of ubiquitous computing on work organization and to develop new ways to theoretically and methodologically study embedded computing and mobile work. We prefer rich empirical accounts of real life mobile work and organizations and analyses of large-scale applications. We invite papers, which conform to any type of disciplinary approach, methodological approach or research methodology. The main criteria for acceptance are novelty, theoretical content and the rigor of the research methodology followed.

Submitted papers will receive an initial screening form the Guest Editors before they are entered into the review process. Important screening criteria include fit with the theme of the special issue, significance of the research and likelihood of moving forward acceptance in two rounds of review. Papers that do not pass the initial screening will not be considered further for special issue. Authors are expected to adhere to the schedule of submission and revision. Unless special circumstances arise accepted paper will appear on a single issue of the I&O.

Manuscripts must be electronically submitted to guest editors of the special issue no later than January 31, 2004. Prospective authors are suggested to contact guest editors concerning the appropriateness of their submission for the special issue. Papers should not exceed 8000 words and should be double spaced. Write authors’ affiliation and address on a separate cover page (or file if you send pdf). Acceptable formats are Ms-Word and pdf.

 

Important Dates

Deadline for submissions: January 31, 2004
Notification of acceptance: March 31, 2004
Final Manuscripts Due: June 30, 2004
Publication of the Special Issue: October / November 2004

Editorial board for special Issue

Daniel Robey, Georgia State U.
Richard Boland, Case Western Reserve U.
Michel Avital, Case Western Reserve U.
Jan Damsgaard, Copenhagen Business School
Gordon Davis, University of Minnesota
Jonathan Grudin, Microsoft Research
Urban Nulden, Viktoria Institute, Gothenburg
Steve Sawyer, Penn State U.
Carsten Sorensen, London School of Economics
John King, University of Michigan
Susan Leigh Star, U. of California at San Diego
Joe Valacich, University of Washington