Call for Papers | Paper and Panel SubmissionsCall for Papers: 2020 Industry Studies Association Annual Conference June 3–5, 2020 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Boston, MA, USA Submission Deadline - Extended: January 24, 2020 The Industry Studies Association (ISA) cordially invites submissions of individual paper abstracts and proposals of panels for the 2020 ISA Annual Conference to be held June 3–5, 2020 at the Samberg Conference Center on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus. Industry studies research is grounded in observations of firms and workplaces and in a deep understanding of the markets, institutions, and technologies that shape the competitive environment. It draws on a wide range of academic disciplines and fields including economics, history, sociology, and other social sciences; management; marketing; policy analysis; operations research; engineering; labor markets and employment relations; and other related research and policy areas. The conference welcomes research from all disciplines that incorporates this approach. ISA is especially interested in organized panels and papers that are unique in their emphasis on observation and insight into a particular industry or that consider how knowledge gained in studying one industry can provide insights into other industries. The Theme for the 2020 Conference is Work of the Future. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and other related technologies are creating new technological capabilities that can both replace and enhance human physical and increasingly, cognitive activities. This creates significant possibilities for reimagining and redesigning work, enhancing the human-technology interface, increasing the connectivity within supply chains, and many other positive implications for workers, firms and society at large. But these advances also generate uncertainty and anxiety about the future of work, particularly for workers with less education. There is a sense of collective concern about how fast technological innovations are moving and whether and how they can be harnessed for social benefit. An increase in income inequality in most industrialized nations, a decline in middle-skilled jobs, as well as social and political disruption, have led to greater focus on the role of automation and globalization in exacerbating these trends. How firms, industries, regions, and nations respond to and anticipate these changes will shape technological trajectories, firm and industry performance, economic growth, and social cohesion. This year’s ISA conference aims to draw upon the multidisciplinary nature of this topic to explore these and other related issues related to the future of work. Topics of interest relevant to this theme include but are not limited to:
While the ISA welcomes papers and panels related to the conference theme, a tie to theme is not mandatory. Any papers or panels that build upon the ISA’s foundational interest in firms and industries are welcome. The Submission Process Researchers may submit abstracts of up to 250 words for single papers or groups of 3-5 abstracts for organized panels. Panel proposals should identify a theme across the papers included in them (e.g., using one methodology across multiple industries or multiple diverse approaches to a common problem in a single industry). Panels that include practitioners – whether from industry, government, or other organizations – as presenters or discussants are especially welcome. The deadline for submissions is Friday, January 24, 2020 at 11:59 PM PT. Abstracts should be submitted through the ISA submission forms: Paper Submission FormPanel Submission FormIn addition to the abstract submission, junior (untenured) faculty may also submit full papers to the Rising Star Best Paper Competition and the Best Paper in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Stream Competition, sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. Information on these competitions can be found here: ISA AwardsSubmissions should be made to the research streams listed below. However, these streams are not meant to be exhaustive, and the committee also welcomes submissions in the “General Industry Studies” category. This category may include industry-specific as well as cross-industry papers and panels. The program committee will shift papers and panels from the general industry studies stream to other streams where appropriate. Research streams:
Please feel free to contact the Conference Program Co-Chairs listed below with questions.
Paper Submission FormPanel Submission FormISA Awards Page |