Journal Self-Citation XIII: The Ethics of Influencing the Peer Review Process – An Essay

This paper argues that there is no ethical support for a request from an editor to cite previous works in a journal to which the author is submitting work. It posits that higher values should exist in academia and that the reviewer’s task is difficult enough. The paper looks at the specific question raised on AISWorld and tries to put this in the context of a supportive ethical framework, without success. It then moves to consider the roles and responsibilities of reviewers and editors more generally. The paper concludes by calling for openness and honesty in the review process with only changes for the good of the article being proposed

Teaching Online: Creating Student Engagement

In this time of worldwide upheaval and with universities struggling to cope with vast numbers of students being forced into online classes, student interest and engagement in their studies has become more important. Online classes do not provide the inherent discipline that face-to-face environments do, which the turmoil many find in their home lives today exacerbates. In this paper, I suggest that, as instructors, we have a responsibility to our students to help them to “want to be there”. Drawing on my personal experiences over many years, I suggest that ways to ignite and retain student interest revolve around building rapport, establishing communication links, and using course content. I make several suggestions for how instructors might do so while acknowledging that no all-encompassing solution exists

WHITHER THE MOOC?

This paper is written to encourage debate on MOOCs in higher education in general and in business schools in particular. It reports the results of a small study of a MOOC being used to supplement an MBA class in Information Systems Management. Although the sample size is small and there are obvious limitations as to what can be drawn from the data, the study does confirm a previous study and provides some interesting results, particularly around the desire of MBA students to take classes this way. It ends with a discussion around recent developments and calls for more research and involvement by academics

INTEGRATION OF AN SAP SIMULATION GAME INTO AN IS COURSE

This paper describes the introduction of a simulation game into an IS class for business students not majoring in IS. The intention was to give the students experience in business processes and to demonstrate the importance of all components of an information system in providing information for business decision making. The students found the game enjoyable and (surprisingly to many) relatively easy to use. They gained an appreciation of ERP capabilities and saw how they might use such systems in their future workplaces. In addition to the enjoyment they also saw some of the implications of not following procedures or team members not completing their assigned tasks. The students strongly supported its inclusion in the course in future years

Using the ERP Simulation Games to Teach Managerial Decision-Making

This paper reports the results of the introduction of the ERPsim games into an undergraduate managerial decision-making class. To date, the games have been principally used to teach ERP and business processes to business and information systems students. The objectives in introducing the game to these students was to give them some exposure to the use of information in tactical and operational decision making, illustrating concepts such as anchoring, bias and bounded awareness taught in the course. The students’ satisfaction with the game as a teaching tool was measured and is reported here. The objective of the study was to determine whether the use of the games improves the course and enhances student understanding. The results were mixed with some students (the majority) enthusiastic, others much less so. It appears that satisfaction and student perception of achievement of learning objectives are largely driven by their attitude to the game and the amount of effort required

Green IT in Small Business: An Exploratory Study

This paper reports the results of a study of small businesses in north Georgia, to determine to what extent they are utilizing green IT and what factors are encouraging or inhibiting this use. The research finds that while small business is aware of the possibilities and opportunities offered and some green IT practices are in evidence, the take-up varies significantly. It finds some support for a number of factors influencing the decision. The paper concludes with an outline of its limitations, proposes approaches for further work and stresses the importance of this neglected area