UMS 2016 - Special issue on Ubiquitous Media Systems

Special issue of the Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research
Guest Editors: Eusebio Scornavacca, Stefano Za, Kevin Carillo
The Journal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research is planning a special issue on Ubiquitous Media Systems.
As of 2014, the total number of all types of mobile-connected devices has exceeded the world’s population and is forecasted to reach 1.5 devices per human being in 2019 [1]. The pace of the emergence and mainstream adoption of new forms of ubiquitous computing devices such as smartphones, tablets and ‘phablets’ has not ceased gaining momentum - demarking an evolutionary step in the ubiquitous computing trend [2]. The extinction of mobile phones and the proliferation of fluid multi-device platforms such as iOS, Android and Windows 8 have blurred the traditional boundaries between stationary and mobile information systems [3], [4].
This dissolution of the traditional segmentation of computing contexts represents a remarkable shift in the fundamental temporospatial nature of IT artifacts [5], [6]. Indeed, individuals are gradually ceasing to perceive their mobile and non-mobile devices as independent ecosystems, but rather as an evolving collection of interconnected devices that are progressively playing a major role in their daily lives [7], [8]. This significant technological evolution has given birth to a new and complex form of connected IT artifact, Ubiquitous Media Systems (UMS), that encapsulates various functions and provides fluid information access across a variety of channels; allowing users to accomplish a multitude of tasks and interact fluidly in a ubiquitous ecosystem [4].
As information access becomes fully ubiquitous and the utilitarian, as well as hedonic functionalities of those devices increase, the emergence of fluid and evolving techno-ecosystems poses important challenges and opportunities for ecommerce theory and practice. By gradually blurring physical, social and temporal boundaries ubiquitous media systems allow to deliver new as well as existing online products and services through a multitude of interconnected channels, but also engender radically novel and unthought-of opportunities for e-commerce [9]?[11].
Ubiquitous access to the Internet of things also represents new marketing opportunities for businesses as well as the challenge to deeply understand users’ behavior in this fluid digital ecosystem [12]. Apprehending ubiquitous media systems user behavior is a difficult challenge as the rules that govern its functioning keep being redefined each time a new form of connected device appears on the market [13], [14].
Unfortunately, the understanding of the specificities that surround ubiquitous media systems in the electronic and mobile commerce contexts is also limited in information systems research [15], [16]. There is a general tendency to focus on individual or subsets of devices, functionalities, or sub-phenomena, which leads to a fragmented and distorted understanding of the ubiquitous media systems reality [17], [18]. This new, complex, interconnected and amalgamated form of IT artifact requires a more holistic and encompassing research approach that is capable of capturing the specificities and pervasiveness of ubiquitous media systems.
Subject Coverage
The objective of this Special Issue is to present the current state of research and practical experiences on ubiquitous media systems from the perspective of electronic commerce research. Particularly we welcome interdisciplinary research that is able to connect theory and practice; aiming to break the traditional conceptual research boundaries dividing stationary and mobile systems. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:
Usability of ubiquitous media systems
System fluidity ? seamless access across multiple devices
The impact of ubiquitous environments on productivity
Legal, social ethical issues regarding ubiquitous media systems
Multi-channel ecommerce applications and strategy
Trust, loyalty, and privacy issues in ubiquitous media systems
Security in ubiquitous media systems
Ubiquitous media systems and new business models
Challenges and specificities for payment systems
Big data and ubiquitous media systems
Notes for Intending Authors
We are seeking original, innovative, and scientifically rigorous papers presenting practical experiences, methodological challenges, or impacts of ubiquitous media systems. Especially empirical research, case studies or theory based qualitative and quantitative studies, are welcome.
Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere.
Author guidelines can be found at http://www.jtaer.com/author_guidelines.doc. All submissions will be refereed by at least three reviewers. Submissions should be directed by email to jtaer.ums-AT-utalca.cl.
For more information, please visit the following web site: http://www.jtaer.com.
Important dates
Full paper submission: 15 December 2015
Notification of acceptance: 15 February 2016
Revised submission: 15 March 2016
Final acceptance notification: 15 April 2016
Camera ready version of paper: 15 May 2016
Publication: May ? September 2016
Guest Editors
Eusebio Scornavacca
Merrick School of Business
University of Baltimore
1420 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 ? USA
Phone: +1 (410) 837 6624
escornavacca-AT-ubalt.edu
Stefano Za,
eCampus University
Via Isimbardi, 10
22060 Novedrate (CO) ? ITALY
Phone: +39 06 85225 553
stefano.za-AT-uniecampus.it
Kevin Carillo
Toulouse Business School
20 Boulevard Lascrosses,
31068 Toulouse ? FRANCE
Phone: +33 5 61 29 47 74
k.carillo-AT-tbs-education.fr
References
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