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Corporate Nomads: Working at the Boundary Between Corporate Work and Digital Nomadism
Get PDFDigital nomads are knowledge workers who leverage information technology (IT) to perpetually travel while working independently of any organizational membership. Corporate nomads are individuals who adopt a nomadic lifestyle but remain permanent employees, which places them in a field of tension between corporate work and digital nomadism—two conceptions of work previously deemed incompatible. To resolve this professional paradox, we conducted qualitative interviews with corporate nomads to better understand how they succeeded (or failed) in holding together two disparate fields with competing values and worldviews. Drawing on ideas from the boundary work literature, we developed a process model of boundary coworking in the context of corporate nomadism. The model incorporates the finding that corporate nomadism unfolds along three phases: (1) splintering, (2) calibrating, and (3) harmonizing. This requires mutual engagement in IT-driven boundary work from both the corporate nomad and their organizational environment. Consequently, corporate nomadism can be understood as an extreme form of “working from anywhere” in which individuals work as spatiotemporal outliers within otherwise settled organizational structures. Practitioners may find value in this study because it discusses managerial implications for recruiting, leading, and retaining corporate nomads
Who Counts? A Compassionate Critique of Stakeholder Theory in Information Systems
Get PDFStakeholder Theory (ST) provides a valuable lens for understanding how firms create value, but it also surfaces how an emphasis on power, legitimacy, and urgency can marginalize vulnerable groups. This commentary argues that IS scholars, by adhering to corporate-driven definitions of stakeholder legitimacy, risk entrenching systems of exclusion rather than challenging them. Firms prioritize principal stakeholders, and shareholders and IS research often mirrors these priorities, reinforcing structures that disadvantage those who would benefit most from inclusive digitization. Drawing on observations from an upskilling program embedded in a homeless shelter, this analysis highlights how IS scholarship can either perpetuate or dismantle marginalizing systems. By critically reflecting on whose interests are served in IS research and practice, this commentary calls for a shift toward more inclusive, justice-oriented approaches that extend beyond performative inclusion and address the structural barriers that exclude society’s most vulnerable
Strategic Cybersecurity Incident Response: A Practice-Oriented Framework Using Activity Theory and Strategy-as-Practice
Get PDFDespite increased cybersecurity awareness and investments in preventive controls, organizations remain vulnerable to cybersecurity incidents driven by increasingly sophisticated threats, such as Advanced Persistent Threats and AI-powered attacks. To navigate the evolving threat landscape, organizations should establish Incident Response (IR) management and develop strategies for it. However, existing IR research predominantly focuses on operational-level processes, people, and technologies, often neglecting the strategy that underpins the entire IR function. In this research-in-progress paper, we utilize the Activity theory and Strategy-as-Practice research to develop a practice-oriented framework that explains how strategic IR praxis emerges from organizational activities. This shifts IR strategy development toward practice-oriented frameworks, emphasizing the IR activity system (IR Practitioners, IR Artefacts, IR Practices, Organizational Context, Collective Structure and Cyber IR), IR outcome, and Strategic IR Praxis, rather than conventionally prioritizing performance metrics. The framework also provides a basis for future empirical work including case studies and focus groups
Red Lights, Blind Spots: Sex Work and Stigma in Information Systems
Get PDFSex work remains one of the most stigmatized and marginalized professions globally, often subject to legal, social, and ethical challenges. Despite this, advancements in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have led to significant changes in the ways sex workers conduct their professional activities, providing new opportunities for marketing, client interaction, financial transactions, and safety measures. However, these developments have not been widely explored within the field of Information Systems (IS) research. This paper addresses this gap by investigating the use of digital platforms among sex workers, focusing on how ICT impacts their professional activities, economic opportunities, and social networks. Through qualitative interviews with nine sex workers in Germany, conducted via Zoom to ensure privacy and security, the study highlights the ways in which digital tools shape their business strategies, risk management, and digital agency. The research also explores the institutional, legal, and societal barriers that prevent IS scholars from engaging in this subject. The paper contributes to IS research by advocating for a more inclusive approach, encouraging scholars to investigate the intersection of ICT and sex work, and to consider the role of technology in empowering marginalized communities
Unveiling the potential of metaverse in project management education
Get PDFThe Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by technological advancements such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), has transformed industries, reshaping the skills required in the workforce. Project management education must adapt to these changes by integrating innovative teaching methods to prepare future professionals. This study explores the potential of the metaverse, an immersive virtual environment, to revolutionize project management education. By offering interactive, real-time simulations and personalized learning experiences, the metaverse enables learners to engage with complex project management scenarios beyond the limitations of traditional classrooms. This research combines a literature review and qualitative analysis of project managers\u27 perspectives to assess the benefits and challenges of incorporating the metaverse into educational curricula. The findings highlight the potential for enhanced engagement and the barriers to adoption, including technology access and learning curve concerns. The study concludes by proposing future research directions and addressing limitations regarding the scalability and effectiveness of metaverse-driven education in diverse project management contexts
Experiential Learning in the Metaverse: Implications for Workplace Training
Get PDFIn an era of rapid technological advancement and shifting work modes, the need for innovative, effective, and scalable corporate training solutions has become increasingly important. This paper explores how the Metaverse can serve as a transformative environment offering more personalised, engaging, and effective training experiences. Drawing on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (ELT), the study examines how the elements of the Metaverse — such as immersion, interactivity, and persistence — can enhance skill acquisition, knowledge retention, employee engagement, and organisational learning outcomes. Through the analysis of nine case studies across sectors (telecommunications, retail, hospitality, manufacturing, consulting and social services), we identify three dominant models of Metaverse-based training: risk-free learning environments, digital twin integration, and immersive skill development platforms. The findings highlight the ability of these training programs to enable experiences that support both technical and interpersonal skill development. Benefits include reduced training time, increased learner satisfaction, improved performance metrics, and global scalability. However, successful implementation is contingent upon addressing critical challenges including infrastructure demands, content development, accessibility, employee adaptation, health implications, and ethical concerns such as data privacy and inclusivity
Steering the AI Race: An Exploratory Study of How Boardroom Dynamics Shape Competitive AI Actions and Performance
Get PDFArtificial intelligence (AI) has become a pivotal engine of innovation and strategic transformation across industries. While firms are increasingly investing in AI to gain competitive advantage, many still struggle to translate these investments into meaningful performance outcomes. This study investigates how firms deploy AI through competitive actions—strategic moves such as AI-driven acquisitions, R&D projects, product innovations, and partnerships—and how these actions influence firm performance. We further explore the moderating and mediating roles of board governance, highlighting how variations in board structures shape the effectiveness of AI strategies. Grounded in the Attention-Based View (ABV) of the firm, we propose that the deployment and impact of AI are contingent on how strategic attention is allocated at the top. Board members influence this attention by shaping firm priorities and the governance environment in which AI actions are conceived and executed. To examine these dynamics, we pose three interrelated research questions: (1) How do competitive AI actions affect firm performance? (2) How do board governance characteristics—specifically board involvement in technology and power disparity—moderate this relationship? (3) Do board characteristics influence performance by shaping the breadth or scope of AI-driven competitive actions? We draw on a panel dataset of S&P 500 firms from 2010 to 2022, using detailed media reports and governance data. Our results reveal that firms engaging in more frequent and broader AI-driven competitive actions experience superior performance, especially when board members are actively involved in overseeing technological strategy. We find that board power disparity has a double-edged effect—enhancing market-based performance while dampening operational efficiency. Additionally, we show that board characteristics indirectly affect performance by influencing the scope of AI actions. Specifically, the presence of a CTO on the board and technical expertise among directors are associated with broader AI action portfolios, while board independence tends to constrain AI scope, likely due to increased scrutiny and risk aversion. This study contributes to strategic management and information systems literature by linking corporate governance to the execution and performance of AI strategies. It advances the ABV framework by demonstrating how boardroom dynamics shape the strategic attention paid to AI initiatives. From a practical perspective, our findings suggest that firms should not only invest in AI capabilities but also ensure that their governance structures are equipped to guide and support AI-driven transformation. Boards that actively engage with technology issues, balance power, and include members with technical expertise are more likely to convert AI initiatives into sustained performance gains
The Sharing Economy: How do the Affordances Influence the Continued Usage of Digital Platforms for Handyman Services in South Africa?
Get PDFThe 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
A relational view on Artificial Intelligence business value: A qualitative meta-analysis
Get PDFThe 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
Digital Polycentricity for Socio-Technical Design: Outcomes from the 2024 Workshop on Digital Polycentricity
Get PDFThis paper reports on the results of a Workshop on Digital Polycentricity. The workshop was held at Imperial College London from 25 to 27 September 2024, aiming to transfer and lift the concept of polycentric governance for urban environments to digital contexts. We argue that just as Ostrom proposed polycentricity in order to emerge intended positive macro-level outcomes from the micro-level interactions of policy actors in the “Market Society,” we need a concept of digital polycentricity to design and operationalise socio-technical systems theory to achieve some Aristotelian forms of macro-level social justice in the “Digital Society.” The participants of the workshop identified key issues related to digital polycentricity, offered a critique of digital polycentricity as an approach and an outcome, and set an actionable research agenda for applying digital polycentricity to the design of socio-technical systems that are fit-for-purpose in the Digital Society, and in the context of digital transformation. The contribution of this paper is thus a research agenda that maps research priorities and directions for different stakeholders