[AISWorld] CFP: special issue on knowledge sharing, dynamic labour markets and Information Systems

Wed Sep 8 14:54:19 EDT 2010

Submission Due Date: April 30, 2011

Special Issue On: Knowledge Sharing in Dynamic Labour Markets in the Service Sector: The Role of Information Systems

Journal: International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector (IJISSS)

Guest Editors: Kalotina Chalkiti and Marianna Sigala 

Introduction

Knowledge is the lifeblood of the service sector and information systems have traditionally supported knowledge management practices. Information systems research has offered valuable insights into technologies and systems that support knowledge management practices such as knowledge sharing. However, as the service sector industries (such as tourism, retailing and banking) are becoming increasingly dynamic labour contexts due to inevitable staff turnover or labour mobility, it is important to understand how information systems and technologies can support knowledge management practices such as knowledge sharing. 

Current literature has argued that labour instability is, to a large extent, detrimental to knowledge sharing strategies. Consequently, practitioners are advised to engage in staff and/or knowledge retention strategies. Similar assumptions are noted in information systems literature such as the need for specialized personnel to manage knowledge repositories, technologies supporting communities of practice. As staff and knowledge retention strategies are difficult to apply in the contemporary service sector due to workforce transience, with particular regions further amplifying these labour movement intentions, it is important that both researchers and practitioners understand how information systems can be exploited for supporting knowledge sharing.

Objective of the Special Issue

The aim of this special issue is to understand how information systems can support knowledge sharing in dynamic labour markets within the service sector. This is an important topic as contemporary workforce appears to be more mobile than ever. For example, the current heavy use of flexible labour strategies for aligning labour supply to the irregular demand faced by service firms, further increases labour instability (e.g. shift work, casual employees). Knowledge sharing is a critical component of collaboration between employees, as well as a vital factor for new service development. Further research is required to explore these issues and trigger the discussion on a range of other organizational topics that might require changes or revisions in light of inevitable labour instability. Similarly, practitioners require practical and easily implementable solutions to support the use of information systems and assist knowledge sharing between employees who cannot be retained and/or are employed on short-term contracts.

Recently completed research on knowledge sharing strategies between hospitality employees in the dynamic labour environment of Darwin, Australia, suggests the need for knowledge sharing that is promoted and nurtured by both employers and employees.  For example, employers provide a supportive environment with a range of information systems and employees through a multi-adaptation process (adapting to the place, hospitality industry, hotel and colleagues) foster collaboration and knowledge sharing in dynamic teams. This research showed how knowledge sharing manifested in one specific service and geographical environment-hospitality industry in Darwin, Australia. Considering that knowledge sharing was critically influenced by employee's characteristics (e.g. employment motivations), as well as the characteristics of the place, (e.g. transient and tropical destination) it is fair to suggest that in different places and service contexts with different employees knowledge sharing may look entirely different. One cannot generalise these results to another context, which in turn highlights the necessity to do further research. This is also another goal of this special issue. By exploring these differences through a collection of contributions, together we will be able to engage in a thought provoking discussion that will frame future research activities and present practitioners with feasible and viable solutions that acknowledge and respect the particularities of both their place (tourist destination) and employees.

Recommended Topics

Topics to be discussed in this special issue include (but are not limited to) the following:

  a.. Generation Y, technodemographics (profile of technology usage) and knowledge sharing 
  b.. Inter- and intra-organisational knowledge sharing strategies and the role/impact of IS applications 
  c.. Knowledge management systems and flexible labour strategies 
  d.. Knowledge sharing processes and IS applications in different geographical contexts and service industries 
  e.. Mobile workforce and information systems utilisation 
  f.. New service and/or product development, knowledge sharing and information systems (IS) 

Submission

Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit papers for this special theme issue on Knowledge Sharing in Dynamic Labour Markets in the Service Sector: The Role of Information Systems on or before 30 April 2011. All submissions must be original and may not be under review by another publication. INTERESTED AUTHORS SHOULD CONSULT THE JOURNAL'S GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS at http://www.igi-global.com/Files/AuthorEditor/guidelinessubmission.pdf.  All submitted papers will be reviewed on a double-blind, peer review basis. Papers must follow APA style for reference citations.

All submissions and inquiries should be directed to the attention of:

Kalotina Chalkiti

Charles Darwin University, Australia

Guest Editor of

International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector

E-mail: Kalotina.Chalkiti at gmail.com 

Marianna Sigala

University of the Aegean

Guest Editor of

International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector

E-mail: m.sigala at aegean.gr  

ABOUT International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector (IJISSS)

The International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector (IJISSS) examines current, state-of-the-art research in the area of service sectors and their interactions, linkages, applications, and support using information systems. This fully refereed journal encompasses theoretical, analytical, and empirical research, as well as comprehensive reviews of relevant research, technical reports, book reviews, and case studies of effective applications in this area. The use of new theories, technologies, models, methods, techniques, and principles are emphasized. 

This journal is an official publication of the Information Resources Management Association

www.igi-global.com/IJISSS

Editor-in-Chief: John Wang 

Published: Quarterly (both in Print and Electronic form)

PUBLISHER:

The International Journal of Information Systems in the Service Sector is published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the "Information Science Reference" (formerly Idea Group Reference) and "Medical Information Science Reference" imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit www.igi-global.com. 

For more information please visit also the following website

 http://www.igi-global.com/Bookstore/TitleDetails.aspx?TitleId=1099&DetailsType=CallForPapersSpecial

***********************************************************
Marianna Sigala, PhD
Assistant Professor of Service Management in Tourism
The Business Administration Department
University of the Aegean
Michalon 8. Chios, 
Greece, GR-82100

http://www.ba.aegean.gr/m.sigala
Tel:  +30 22710 35160
Fax: +30 22710 35165

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"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it"
George Santayana (1863 - 1952)
Philosopher and Poet

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