The European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2020) is one of the most prestigious gathering of information systems academics and research-oriented practitioners in the world. The conference activities are primarily delivered by and for academics, though many of the papers and panels have a strong professional orientation. ECIS aims to encourage and inspire innovative and informative IS research that is relevant to the social, economic and cultural particularities of the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa), raise the visibility of the IS-related research practice, education and bring together researchers, educators, policy makers and practitioners originating from, or working in the region.
Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in a Digitizing World
The aim of ECIS 2020 is to form a meeting place for people in the IS field to discuss fundamental and innovative issues related to Information Systems. The conference theme is Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in a Digitizing World. As the United Nation’s 2030 sustainable development goals highlight, we live in a world where not everyone enjoys the freedoms commonly argued to be a human right (like freedom of speech, of religion, of assembly); where eradication of poverty and inclusiveness are still far from a reality; and where loneliness and isolation remain a common experience for many. Digital technologies are sometimes presented as at least part of the solution for helping to drive towards a sustainable and inclusive future. Yet at the same time, digital technologies have also been identified as a threat to our freedoms (e.g., in relation to our privacy), to fairness (e.g., with the digital divide decreasing the economic opportunities for some, and with robotization causing unemployment levels for others), and to community (e.g., with social media reducing face-to-face relationships between people even while online connections may be increasing). In other words, the consequences (both intended and unintended) of ever-more pervasive digital technologies in our work and personal lives in relation to creating a more inclusive and sustainable world are not straight-forward. For this conference, then, we are especially interested in papers that discuss and expand our understanding of how digital technologies are influencing and impacting fundamental human values, whether at the individual, the organization and/or the societal level.