An Action Design Research Study on Responsible Innovation Teaching and Training for Information Systems Students

While information systems organizations recognize the importance of incorporating responsible innovation into their activities, they often face difficulty implementing this practice because employees lack the required knowledge and skills, particularly the capacity for reflexivity and reflection. This paper aims to accelerate responsible innovation teaching and training for information systems students to expedite the process of positive change for sustainability. Using the action design research methodology and the responsible innovation lens, we developed a workshop enabling information systems students to form measurable reflection skills. The workshop evaluation suggests that learning took place and that students are willing to adopt responsible innovation in their future workplaces. A set of design guidelines is proposed to guide further training programs to enhance students’ ability to address complex challenges responsibly. This paper answers the call for more impactful information systems research to address societal and environmental challenges and enriches the literature on sustainable social development and business practices

Possibilities of using quality management systems to undertake innovation activities in an organisation belonging to the chemical industry

Purpose: The main objective of this article is to identify the possibilities of using quality management systems to undertake innovation activities in an organisation representing the chemical industry. Design/methodology/approach: A literature review was carried out to find out the state of the research on the subject. It was conducted according to the research methodology proposed by J.W. Creswell (2013). Ten employees from one of the key departments of an organisation belonging to the chemical industry were interviewed. Findings: The interviewees are of the opinion that their organisation’s quality management system is a useful tool. However, if the system is to support innovation activities, employees should be trained more extensively, they should be provided with information on the potential benefits of quality improvement and innovations, competitions for best organisational solutions should be organised and the quality management system itself should be improved so that it is less documentation-intensive. Research limitations/implications: A literature review is not a perfect way to obtain information. Previous research has been conducted in different organisations and in different cultures. Secondly, it is important to remember the limitations inherent in qualitative research. Practical implications: Based on the results of the research, those responsible for the functioning of management systems can take appropriate measures aimed at increasing the scope of innovation activities of employees. Originality/value: Quality management systems conducive to innovation activities in the chemical industry are not a frequent research topic

Opinion on 'Responsible Dual Use' Political, Security, Intelligence and Military Research of Concern in Neuroscience and Neurotechnology

Current and newly emerging insights and technologies arising from research in brain sciences increase capabilities to access, assess and affect thought, emotion and behaviour. While much of this research and development is directed towards clinical use, it also has applications in other settings, notably in the political, security, intelligence and military (PSIM) domains. This is often referred to in terms of ‘Dual Use’. Many of these potential uses raise important social and ethical questions which demand the attention of all those involved in the research, administration, management and regulation of neuroscience research and related technological developments, including those in information and communication technologies (ICT) and robotics. In this Opinion, we suggest that we can increase our ability to identify which programmes and projects of research, development and innovation are ‘of concern’ by applying the principles of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) to the concept of ‘dual use’ and distinguishing between ‘responsible’ and ‘irresponsible’ systems of research and technological development. We therefore use the term ‘dual use research of concern’ (DURC) to refer to neuroscience research and technological innovations, and brain inspired developments in information and communication technologies, for use in the political, security, intelligence and military domains, which are either directly of concern because of their potential for use in ways that threaten the peace, health, safety, security and well-being of citizens, or are undertaken without responsible regard to such potential uses. To ensure ongoing attention to these issues, the Opinion proposes recommendations for the Human Brain Project, the European Union and the wider neuroscience and ICT community

(My) Data for (my) Health – Privacy Calculi of Terminally-ill Patients with Rare Diseases

Digital healthcare information systems promise to improve care efficiency, to reduce complexity for patients, and to increase access to information and advance research efforts. A prominent example are multi-sided-platforms (MSP), which are essentially an information business, linking key healthcare stakeholders for individualized as well as aggregated information services. However, platform-based health innovation relies on the extensive collection, storage, and use of sensitive health information, raising issues of information privacy. This study uses the privacy calculus perspective to shed light on patients’ trade-off considerations. We use the case of a MSP, which connects patients, care providers and researchers, in order to model a multi-level calculus for health information of terminally ill patients. These insights inform stepwise consent options, which highlight the trade-offs between information value and patient privacy. By reflecting on the implications for patient empowerment this conceptual paper develops a research agenda on how to study and design responsible health information systems

Blended Stakeholder Participation for Responsible Information Systems Research

Researchers often conduct information systems (IS) research under the assumption that technology use leads to positive outcomes for different stakeholders. However, many IS studies demonstrate limited evidence of having engaged with the stakeholders that they claim benefit and speak on behalf of. Therefore, we can unsurprisingly find many examples in which technology use failed to make the world a better place or, worse still, contributed towards unintended negative outcomes. Given these concerns, calls have recently emerged for responsible research and innovation (RRI) studies in IS to understand how different stakeholder groups can have a voice in complex socio-technical issues. In this paper, we take steps towards addressing this call by presenting case study findings from a responsible IS research project that combined “blended” face-to-face and online participatory techniques. The case study relates to a large-scale consultation in a 24-month European project that involved 30 countries. The project engaged over 1,500 stakeholders in co-creating future research agendas for the European Union. We discuss case study findings using Stilgoe, Owen, and Macnaghten’s (2013) framework and reflect on lessons learned for responsible IS research going forward

Assessment of thermal performance and surface moisture risk for a rear-ventilated cladding system for façade renovation

Ventilated façade systems, incorporating thermal insulation behind a rear-ventilated cladding, constitute a popular renovation solution in warm European climates. For compliance with building regulations, their energy efficiency is usually obtained through simple onedimensional desktop calculations, which do not consider the impact of the support elements of the cladding penetrating the thermal insulation. This study assesses a ventilated façade system anchored over a solid concrete wall with adjustable stainless steel brackets. One-dimensional calculations are compared against three-dimensional numerical thermal modelling, evaluating the effect of insulation thickness (40–100 mm) and potential gaps in the insulation around anchors. Results indicate low risk of condensation and mould growth over internal surfaces. The additional heat flow induced by stainless steel anchors, which is not considered by simplified calculations, appears lower than for aluminium-based systems but can become significant as insulation levels increase. Ensuring the continuity of insulation around anchors is critical for keeping this additional heat flow at reasonable levels (8–13%). If gaps in the insulation are present around anchors, the additional heat flow increases substantially (25–70%) and pushes effective U-values above 0.4 W/m²K, thus resulting in unforeseen energy consumption and noncompliance with regulatory requirements in many European locations.This study has been partly developed within the InnoWEE research project. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 723916. The present paper reflects only the authors’ views and neither the Agency nor the Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein

Roadmap to competitive and socially responsible artificial intelligence

The roadmap to competitive and socially responsible artificial intelligence (AI) offers an overview of AI governance drivers and tasks. It is intended for organizations using or planning to use information systems that include AI functionalities, such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. Responsible AI is still an emerging topic, but legal and stakeholder requirements for AI systems to comply with societally agreed standards are growing. In particular, the European Union’s proposed Artificial Intelligence Act is set to introduce new rules for AI systems used in high-risk application domains. However, beyond binding legislation, soft governance, such as guidelines and ethics principles, already seeks to differentiate between socially responsible and irresponsible AI development and use practices. The roadmap report begins by laying out its target group, instructions, and structure and then moves on to definitions. Next, we introduce the institutionalization of AI as a necessary background to the consideration of AI governance. The main roadmap section includes a visual representation and explanation of the six key drivers of competitive and socially responsible AI: 1) Movement from AI ethics principles to AI governance 2) Responsible AI commercialization potential and challenges 3) AI standardization 4) Automation of AI governance 5) Responsible AI business ecosystems 6) Stakeholder pressure for responsible AI The roadmap is followed by a future research agenda highlighting five emerging research areas: 1) operational governance mechanisms for complex AI systems, 2) connections to corporate sustainability, 3) automation of AI governance, 4) future of responsible AI ecosystems, and 5) sociotechnical activities to implement responsible AI. Researchers and research funding bodies play a key role in advancing competitive and socially responsible AI by deepening these knowledge areas. Advancing socially responsible AI is important because the benefits of AI technologies can be reaped only if organizations and individuals can trust the technologies to operate fairly, transparently, and according to socially defined rules. This roadmap was developed by the Artificial Intelligence Governance and Auditing (AIGA) co-innovation project funded by Business Finland during the years 2020 to 2022. The roadmap was cocreated by researchers, company practitioners, and other AIGA project stakeholders

Systems thinking and efficiency under emissions constraints: Addressing rebound effects in digital innovation and policy

Innovations and efficiencies in digital technology have lately been depicted as paramount in the green transition to enable the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, both in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector and the wider economy. This, however, fails to adequately account for rebound effects that can offset emission savings and, in the worst case, increase emissions. In this perspective, we draw on a transdisciplinary workshop with 19 experts from carbon accounting, digital sustainability research, ethics, sociology, public policy, and sustainable business to expose the challenges of addressing rebound effects in digital innovation processes and associated policy. We utilize a responsible innovation approach to uncover potential ways forward for incorporating rebound effects in these domains, concluding that addressing ICT-related rebound effects ultimately requires a shift from an ICT efficiency-centered perspective to a “systems thinking” model, which aims to understand efficiency as one solution among others that requires constraints on emissions for ICT environmental savings to be realized