[SIGHCI] Announcing the Publication of Volume 17 Issue 3 (September 2025) of AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction (THCI)

[Fiona NAH]

Announcing the Publication of
Volume 17 Issue 3 of AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction (THCI)
(http://https://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/)

THCI is ranked "A" in the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) Journal Quality List (https://abdc.edu.au/abdc-journal-quality-list/)

THCI is ranked "B" in the German Academic Association of Business Research (Verband der Hochschullehrer für Betriebswirtschaft e.V) VHB Journal Quality List (https://www.vhbonline.org/fileadmin/vhb/Services/vhb-rating/WI/VHB_Rating_2024_Area_rating_WI.pdf)

THCI is indexed in SCOPUS and CLARIVATE

The September 2025 issue of THCI is a Special Issue on Flow, Immersion, and Presence that is brought to you by Special Editor Editors, Yi Maggie Guo, Fiona Nah, Nannan Xi, and Marshall Scott Poole.

The first paper entitled "How Head-mounted Displays Affect Immersion in Virtual Reality Experiences: A Laboratory Experiment" by Joschka Mütterlein, Benedikt Berger, and Hubertus-Maximilian Louis Waltermann examines the positive and negative effects of using head-mounted displays in VR on immersion and how these effects could explain the rate of adoption in the market.

The second paper entitled "XR Designers' Perspectives from Virtual Product Experience in the Metaverse" by Serra Cilizoglu and Asim Evren Yantac uncovers design considerations for extended reality (XR) in creating virtual commercial spaces and product experiences on metaverse platforms.

The third paper entitled "How Immersive Flow Experiences in the Metaverse Supercharge Awe, Place Attachment, and Engagement" by Aman Kumar, Amit Shankar, Abhishek Behl, and Nakul Gupta examines the effects of metaverse characteristics on users' experiences of awe and place attachment as well as how these experiences influence user engagement.

The fourth and last paper in this special issue entitled "When the Flow is Just Too Much: The Adverse Outcomes of Flow in Software Developers' Work" by Saima Ritonummi, Valtteri Siitonen, Markus Salo, and Henri Pirkkalainen identifies eight adverse outcomes of flow in software developers' work and personal lives.

We appreciate the developmental effort of the following reviewers who have made this special issue possible: Liqiong Deng, Xiaodong Deng, Georgina Guillen, Lusha Huang, Zhangguang (Kris) Kang, Weiling Ke, Julia Lanzl, Xiaoqing Li, Nguyen Long, Brinda Sampat, Owen Schaffer, and Xiaoguang Tian.

You can download the papers in this special issue from https://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/ or the direct links provided below. You can also download the papers published in THCI by visiting the AIS E-Library (http://aisel.aisnet.org/) or the journal website at http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/.

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In this issue (Volume 17, Issue 3)

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Editorial: Flow, Immersion, and Presence: Creating Virtual Reality and Engagement in the Era of Ubiquitous and Intelligent Technologies

Guo, Y. M., Nah, F. F. H., Xi, N., & Poole, M. S. (2025). Flow, immersion, and presence: Creating virtual reality and engagement in the era of ubiquitous and intelligent technologies. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 17(3), pp. 333-342. DOI: 10.17705/1thci.00227

Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/1

Abstract:

Researchers use the concepts of flow, immersion, and presence to explain the usage of and engagement (e.g., cognitive absorption) with information technology. In this special issue, we showcase four papers on empirical investigations of flow and immersion, their antecedents, and their outcomes. These papers address research questions that range from investigating the antecedents and consequences of immersion in head-mounted displays of virtual reality, designing for the flow experience in extended reality, studying factors influencing user engagement in the metaverse, and identifying adverse effects of work-related flow. We also provide directions and suggestions for future research.


Paper 1 (Research Paper): How Head-mounted Displays Affect Immersion in Virtual Reality Experiences: A Laboratory Experiment

Mütterlein, J., Berger, B., & Waltermann, H.-M. L. (2025). How head-mounted displays affect immersion in virtual reality experiences: A laboratory experiment. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 17(3), pp. 343-36. DOI: 10.17705/1thci.00228

Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/2

Abstract:

Immersion is a central concept for understanding the effects of virtual reality (VR), which explains why VR devices such as head-mounted displays (HMDs) are designed to enhance users' sense of immersion. However, research on how immersion emerges and how HMDs contribute to immersion remains fragmented. Although existing studies offer valuable insights into these effects in isolation, they do not consider the simultaneous positive and negative effects of HMDs on immersion. Yet, these effects collectively play a critical role in consumers' decisions to adopt or reject HMDs. To address this research gap, we synthesize prior research and present new empirical findings that demonstrate how HMDs can both foster and inhibit immersion in VR. Based on a between-subjects experiment with 126 participants, we provide empirical evidence that immersion is not necessarily higher with HMDs than with traditional displays, such as desktop monitors. While HMDs enhance telepresence and interactivity, which are promoters of immersion, they also increase cybersickness and discomfort, which inhibit immersion. These opposing effects tend to counterbalance one another. Our results contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of immersion in the context of HMD use and offer a novel perspective to explain the slow diffusion of HMDs in consumer markets, despite repeated forecasts of rapid adoption.


Paper 2 (Research Paper): XR Designers' Perspectives from Virtual Product Experience in the Metaverse

Cilizoglu, S., & Yantac, A. E. (2025). XR designers' perspectives from virtual product experience in the metaverse. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 17(3), pp. 369-385. DOI: 10.17705/1thci.00229

Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/3

Abstract:

This study explores the perspectives of extended reality (XR) designers as they navigate the constantly changing domain of the metaverse and design virtual product experiences and commercial spaces in social virtual reality (VR) platforms. Through a series of semi-structured interviews with 30 designers from diverse backgrounds, we uncover the nuanced strategies and considerations that inform their design processes. Our analysis reveals designer insights under three key themes: 1) the design of peripherals, 2) user navigation strategies, and 3) manipulations of perceptions in the metaverse space design. These findings underscore the complex interplay between ever-changing technological capabilities and requirements and the creative vision that designers provide. Additionally, this study identifies emerging trends and gaps in current research and, thus, offers a foundation for future inquiries into designing virtual product experiences and commercial spaces in immersive virtual platforms. This research contributes to the HCI literature by more deeply explaining XR designers' roles and perspectives in crafting next-generation virtual product experiences in the metaverse, which highlights the potential for innovative design approaches to enhance the optimal flow state in the metaverse during virtual product experiences.


Paper 3 (Research Paper): How Immersive Flow Experiences in the Metaverse Supercharge Awe, Place Attachment, and Engagement

Kumar, A., Shankar, A., Behl, A., & Gupta, N. (2025). How immersive flow experiences in the metaverse supercharge awe, place attachment, and engagement. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 17(3), pp. 386-413. DOI: 10.17705/1thci.00230

Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/4

Abstract:

We examine the effects of key metaverse characteristics on users' experiences of awe and place attachment as well as how these experiences influence user engagement. Using a mixed-methods approach, we first conducted in-depth qualitative interviews to explore relevant constructs and relationships, then empirically validated the model we developed from the interviews. We found focused immersion, enjoyment, and telepresence to be positively associated with awe and place attachment. In turn, awe and place attachment significantly predict user engagement, with social threat moderating the relationship between place attachment and engagement. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the metaverse and user engagement, while also extending theoretical insights from flow theory. The findings offer practical guidance for designers and developers seeking to enhance user engagement in immersive digital environments.


Paper 4 (Research Paper): When the Flow is Just Too Much: The Adverse Outcomes of Flow in Software Developers' Work

Ritonummi, S., Siitonen, V., Salo, M., & Pirkkalainen, H. (2025). When the flow is just too much: The adverse outcomes of flow in software developers' work. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 17(3), pp. 414-447. DOI: 10.17705/1thci.00231

Available at: http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/vol17/iss3/5

Abstract:

Experiencing flow at work is often associated with enhanced motivation, creativity, performance, and job satisfaction. However, little is known about the potential downsides of flow in professional settings. To explore the negative outcomes of flow in software developers' work, we conducted a qualitative study involving in-depth interviews of 25 software developers. Through thematic analysis, we identified eight adverse outcomes of flow in both work and personal domains: maladaptive immersion, impaired self-regulation, false sense of productivity, depleted cognitive resources, physical strain, adverse emotional responses, dependence on flow, and work-life conflict. Notably, four of these outcomes-maladaptive immersion, impaired self-regulation, false sense of productivity, and adverse emotional responses-have not been previously documented in flow literature. These findings shed light on how such negative outcomes emerge and persist, revealing both immediate and long-term effects on software developers' personal and workplace well-being. Our empirical findings highlight the less explored negative aspects of flow, contributing to a deeper understanding of work-related flow. We offer practical guidance for software developers and their managers on how to avoid the pitfalls of excessive flow and maintain healthier boundaries at work.

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Call for Papers

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THCI is one of the journals in the AIS (Association for Information Systems) e-library at http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci. THCI is a high-quality peer-reviewed international scholarly journal on Human-Computer Interaction. As an AIS journal, THCI is oriented to the Information Systems community, emphasizing HCI/UX applications in business, managerial, organizational, and cultural contexts. However, it is open to all related communities that share intellectual interests in HCI phenomena and issues. The editorial objective is to enhance and communicate knowledge about the interplay among humans, information, technologies, and tasks to guide the development and use of human-centered Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and services for individuals, groups, organizations, and communities.

To increase awareness and readership, THCI is made freely available to the public, which is beneficial to the authors and the community. You can find information related to all aspects of THCI at its website (http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci), including how to submit manuscripts for publication consideration. We would like to thank the AIS Council (http://www.aisnet.org/) for its continued support of the journal. And, as always, we are happy to announce that we have published the journal on time for every issue and are building a strong case for a solid impact factor. The quality of THCI is affirmed by its inclusion as an "A" journal in the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) journal quality list.

Topics of interest to THCI include but are not limited to the following:
*   Behavioral, cognitive, motivational, and affective aspects of human and technology interaction
*   User task analysis and modeling; fit between representations and task types
*   Digital documents/genres; human information seeking and web navigation behaviors; human information interaction; information visualization
*   Social media; social computing; virtual communities
*   Behavioral information security and information assurance; privacy and trust in human technology interaction
*   User interface design and evaluation for various applications in business, managerial, organizational, educational, social, cultural, non-work, and other domains
*   Integrated and/or innovative approaches, guidelines, and standards or metrics for human-centered analysis, design, construction, evaluation, and use of interactive devices and information systems
*   Information systems usability engineering; universal usability
*   Impact of interfaces/information technology on people's attitude, behavior, performance, perception, and productivity
*   Implications and consequences of technological change on individuals, groups, society, and socio-technical units
*   Software learning and training issues such as perceptual, cognitive, and motivational aspects of learning
*   Gender and information technology
*   New applications, modalities, and multimedia interaction for the elderly, the young, and special needs populations
*   Issues in HCI education

The language for the journal is English. The audience includes international scholars and practitioners who conduct research on issues related to the objectives of the journal. The publication frequency is quarterly: four issues per year that are published in March, June, September, and December. The AIS Special Interest Group on Human-Computer Interaction (SIGHCI, http://sighci.org/) is the official sponsor of THCI.

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Please check the AIS THCI home page (http://aisel.aisnet.org/thci/) to see what is brewing! If you have an idea for a special issue, please drop us a line.

Sincerely,

Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah, Editor-in-Chief
Gregory D. Moody, Managing Editor
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Fiona Fui-Hoon Nah, Ph.D.
Editor-in-chief, AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction
Professor of Information Systems, Singapore Management University
Email: fionanah at smu.edu.sg
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