IMDS Special Section on Practice-Focused Research
Industrial Management and Data Systems (IMDS) research is often driven by innovative practices through the implementation of emerging technologies such as AI in new application settings. Conventional theories may be insufficient to explain these new and innovative phenomena; hence, such works are likely to be rejected for lacking theoretical contributions.
To build bodies of knowledge based on these new and innovative practices, IMDS launches a special section to publish papers that document in-depth case observations and propose new research directions, and suggest new methodologies for further research in these emerging areas.
Papers published in this special section should report the problems or phenomena that impact business leaders, which may also stimulate new research arenas. Business leaders are welcome to contribute to this special section. It is also hoped that academic-industry collaboration can be promoted. More specifically, submissions to this special section are expected to:
- Report detailed current business innovations and technology advances, in particular, the breakthroughs in industrial innovations (supply chain innovations, business model innovations enabled by digital platforms) and technologies, such as data-driven smart supply chains, AI-infused supply chains, AI-based customer service, Augmented Reality marketing, and Blockchain-empowered smart manufacturing;
- Portray emerging challenges and/or phenomena in the industry, in addition to potential solutions, thoughts, and reflections on these issues, such as ethical and legal issues of AI in the industry, privacy caused by blockchain, and data security in big data;
- Report real-world developments that may represent substantial future research opportunities, both theoretically and methodologically; such as how large language model (LLM) and other models can be used to optimize industrial systems, how AI can tackle the complexities and volatilities of industrial systems, and how AI can encompass emerging technology, such as blockchain, to enhance data integrity, transparency, and intelligence in the industry.
The primary role of this special section is to delineate emerging business models and technologies and stimulate new research directions. Therefore, business issues (problems, challenges, development, etc.) must be reported in the submissions. Theoretical reflections and potential solutions following the reporting of business issues are welcome.
Papers in this special section are expected to be around 5000 words (following formatting guidelines by IMDS, found here). During the submission process, you will be asked to select a type for your paper. Please select the category “Practitioner Paper”.
Practice-Focused Research Associate Editors:
Professor Hing King Chan, Wenzhou-Kean University, China
Professor Xiande Zhao, China Europe International Business School, China
Professor Min Zhang, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Dr. Xiangtianrui Kong, Shenzhen University, China