[AISWorld] Join an AIS COVID-19 initiative: Student interns moving small business online

[Dennis, Alan R.]

We invite you to join an AIS initiative to use student interns to move small business online in response to COVID-19.

Many information systems students have had their summer internships cancelled or shortened due to COVID-19, and are looking for work. At the same time, small businesses have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19. These business have traditionally operated in-person, not online, so they may not have the knowledge or resources to implement an online model quickly. Even after stay-at-home orders have been lifted, many consumers will still prefer to go online.

Several universities around the world are now offering a no cost service to increase the online presence of small businesses. Each project will be done by students under the guidance of mentor. The focus is on quickly solving one technology problem or providing one new online capability. Our goal is to complete projects quickly, so that we can quickly help as many businesses as possible. The services could include but are not limited to:

  *   Create or modify a website
  *   Create or modify a digital storefront
  *   Enable remote operations for staff or customers
  *   Assess and improve information security
This idea was pioneered by Munir Mandviwalla at Temple University (https://ibit.temple.edu/digitize-your-business-to-cope-with-covid/). It has since spread to Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Eleanor Loiacano)  and my own Indiana University.

Eleanor and I are looking for other universities that would interested in learning more about this initiative and possibly implementing a version of it at their university. We can share our materials and our progress in implementing this, and help you get started.

If you would like more information please email Eleanor (eloiacon at wpi.edu<mailto:eloiacon at wpi.edu>) or myself (ardennis at indiana.edu<mailto:ardennis at indiana.edu>). There is a possibility of US Federal government funding for universities in the US. We are also reaching out to our long-term donors and alumni to support this.

Thanks
Alan

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Alan Dennis
Professor and John T. Chambers Chair of Internet Systems
www.kelley.iu.edu/ardennis<http://www.kelley.iu.edu/ardennis>
President, Association for Information Systems (aisnet.org<https://aisnet.org/>)
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