Grand Societal Challenges in Information Systems Research and Education: Ideas from the ERCIS Virtual Seminar Series (SpringerBriefs in Information Systems)

This book examines how information systems research and education can play a major role in contributing to solutions to the Societal Grand Challenges formulated in “The Millennium Project” (millenium-project.org). Individual chapters focus on specific challenges, review existing approaches and contributions towards solutions in information systems research and outline a research agenda for these challenges. The topics considered in this volume range from climate change, population growth, global ICT availability, breakthroughs in science and technology and energy demand to ethical decision-making, policymaking, gender status and transnational crime prevention. It is the first book to present ideas on how the Information Systems discipline can contribute to the solution on this wide spectrum of grand societal challenges. Foreword 6 Preface 10 Contents 12 1 How Can Sustainable Development Be Achieved for All While Addressing Global Climate Change? 16 1.1 Introduction 16 1.2 Literature Review 17 1.2.1 Research Methodology 17 1.2.2 Literature Analysis and Synthesis 17 1.2.3 IS Concepts Related to Eco-efficiency 17 1.2.4 IS Concepts Related to Eco-equity 19 1.2.5 IS Concepts Related to Eco-effectiveness 20 1.3 Discussion 20 1.4 Research Agenda 21 1.5 Conclusion 22 References 23 2 ICT-Applications to Align Global Resources with a Growing Population 25 2.1 Introduction 25 2.2 Literature Review 26 2.3 The Challenge: Demand and Supply Side Perspective 26 2.4 Research Results 27 2.4.1 Demand Side 27 2.4.2 Supply Side 28 2.5 Conclusion 31 References 32 3 How Can Information Systems Help to Make Policymaking Be More Sensitive to Global Long-Term Perspectives? 35 3.1 Introduction 35 3.2 Research Method 36 3.3 Results and Discussion 38 3.4 Research Agenda 41 3.5 Conclusion 42 References 43 4 Making the Global Convergence of ICT Available for Everyone 45 4.1 Introduction 45 4.2 Literature Review 46 4.3 Results and Discussion 47 4.4 Research Agenda 51 4.5 Conclusions 52 References 52 5 How Can the Capacity to Decide Be Improved as the Nature of Work and Institutions Change? 54 5.1 Introduction 54 5.2 Literature Review 55 5.2.1 Pre-identification of Relevant Topics 55 5.2.2 Research Approach 55 5.2.3 Literature Search Results 56 5.2.3.1 Sub-problem: Limited Capacity to Decide 56 5.2.3.2 Sub-problem: Increasing Number of Stakeholders 56 5.2.3.3 Sub-problem: Information Overload 57 5.3 Discussion 58 5.4 Research Agenda 58 5.5 Conclusion 60 References 60 6 The Role of Information Technologies in Changing the Status of Women to Improve Human Conditions 64 6.1 Introduction 64 6.2 Literature Review 65 6.3 Results and Discussion 66 6.3.1 Gender and Technology 66 6.3.2 Gender in the IT Workplace 67 6.3.3 Empowerment of Women 68 6.4 Research Agenda 70 6.5 Conclusion 71 References 71 7 How Can Transnational Organized Crime Networks Be Stopped from Becoming More Powerful and Sophisticated Global Enterprises? 74 7.1 Introduction 74 7.2 Literature Review 75 7.2.1 Research Method 75 7.2.2 Characteristics of Transnational Organized Crime Organisations 75 7.2.3 Main Activity Fields 76 7.2.4 Means Against Transnational Organized Crime 76 7.3 Discussion on Results 78 7.4 Research Agenda 79 7.4.1 Areas of Further Research 79 7.4.2 Communication Tool for Criminals 79 7.4.3 Support of Criminal Activities 79 7.4.4 Supporting Law Enforcement 79 7.5 Conclusion 80 References 80 8 How Can Growing Energy Demands Be Met Safely and Efficiently? 82 8.1 Introduction 82 8.2 Literature Review 83 8.2.1 Literature Search 83 8.2.2 Demand Side Management 83 8.2.3 Smart Grid Technologies 85 8.3 Discussion and Research Agenda 87 8.4 Conclusion 88 References 89 9 How Can Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs Be Accelerated to Improve the Human Condition? 90 9.1 Introduction 90 9.2 Related Work 90 9.2.1 Nanotechnology 91 9.2.2 Biotechnology 92 9.2.3 Information Technology 92 9.2.4 Cognitive Science 92 9.3 Discussion 95 9.4 Research Agenda 95 9.5 Conclusion 96 References 97 10 Global Challenges for Humanity: How Can Ethical Considerations Become More Routinely Incorporated into Global Decisions? 99 10.1 Introduction 99 10.2 Research Method 100 10.3 Research Results 101 10.4 Practical Examples—Digest of the Real World 103 10.4.1 The Chunked Structure of Owners of the Global Network 103 10.4.2 How Social Media Changes Minds 103 10.4.3 Ushahidi—Platform for Instant Collaboration 104 10.4.4 Edge.org—Experts’ Collaboration 104 10.4.5 Avaaz.org—Political Campaign Incubator 105 10.5 Discussion 106 10.6 Research Agenda 106 10.6.1 How to Implement? Routines for Highly Volatile Issues Like Ethics 106 10.6.2 How to Measure? Effects of Routine Involvement 107 10.6.3 How to Manage? Long-Term Management for Short-Term Problems 108 10.7 Conclusion 108 References 109 Front Matter....Pages i-xiv How Can Sustainable Development Be Achieved for All While Addressing Global Climate Change?....Pages 1-9 ICT-Applications to Align Global Resources with a Growing Population....Pages 11-20 How Can Information Systems Help to Make Policymaking Be More Sensitive to Global Long-Term Perspectives?....Pages 21-30 Making the Global Convergence of ICT Available for Everyone....Pages 31-39 How Can the Capacity to Decide Be Improved as the Nature of Work and Institutions Change?....Pages 41-50 The Role of Information Technologies in Changing the Status of Women to Improve Human Conditions....Pages 51-60 How Can Transnational Organized Crime Networks Be Stopped from Becoming More Powerful and Sophisticated Global Enterprises?....Pages 61-68 How Can Growing Energy Demands Be Met Safely and Efficiently?....Pages 69-76 How Can Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs Be Accelerated to Improve the Human Condition?....Pages 77-85 Global Challenges for Humanity: How Can Ethical Considerations Become More Routinely Incorporated into Global Decisions?....Pages 87-98 This book examines how information systems research and education can play a major role in contributing to solutions to the Societal Grand Challenges formulated in ђ́جThe Millennium Prојестђ́ح (millenium-project.org). Individual chapters focus on specific challenges, review existing approaches and contributions℗¡towards solutions in information systems research and outline a research agenda for these challenges. The topics considered in this volume range from climate change, population growth, global ICT availability, breakthroughs in science and technology and energy demand to ethical decision-making, policymaking, gender status and transnational crime prevention. It is the first book to present ideas on how the Information Systems discipline can contribute to the solution on this wide spectrum of grand societal challenges