2023 ABCP Annual Conference: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Abstract:

Dr Dongmei Cao

This study examines the evolving policies and laws concerning personal data handling in commercial organisations. Using Booking.com as a case study, the research utilises data extracted from their privacy policy to visualise the flow of personal data. By highlighting how the company shares consumers’ information, this paper aims to provoke thoughtful discussions on the limitations of privacy policies in providing customers with a complete understanding of personal data flows. The findings can contribute to future research on analysing privacy policies from a data flow perspective and developing a comprehensive ontology for personal data flows in complex business ecosystems.

Bio:

Dongmei is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Business and Industry Transformation of Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University. Her primary research interest is sustainability, incorporating business innovation, technology, and consumer behaviour. Her research has been published in domain journals such as JBR, LRP, TFSC, IMM, IEEE TEM, etc.

Abstract:

Dr Susan Wakenshaw

This study explores the emerging tensions between the benefits of AI services and the associated privacy risks. It dives into the ‘privacy paradox,’ a phenomenon where consumers’ expressed concerns for privacy fail to reflect in their data-sharing behaviour. Based on privacy calculus theory, our study aims to examine the role of perceived usefulness and privacy risks of artificial intelligence (AI) in private company services. We would ask consumers whether they would download a mobile app to interact with an AI-driven company service. We investigate (1) how general concerns about privacy, the amount of personal information they must share, and the anthropomorphic interface can affect consumers’ willingness to use AI-driven company services; (2) the privacy paradox in AI-driven services. We compare the results for consumers with different cultural backgrounds and of different nationalities. Preliminary findings suggest a complex interplay between convenience, trust, and privacy, with users often prioritising personalised experiences over data security. The research also uncovers varying attitudes towards privacy across different demographics and contexts. By shedding light on this paradox, this study offers meaningful insights for both AI service providers seeking to balance functionality and privacy, and policymakers aiming to draft effective data protection regulations. The conclusion further prompts a broader discussion on how to promote a more privacy-conscious culture amid increasing digitalisation.

Bio:

Dr Wakenshaw works as the discipline Group Lead for digital transformation at WMG, University of Warwick. With the background of marketing and consumer behavior, she has undertaken cutting edge EPSCR funded projects from 2011-2019. Her current research interests include AI and ethics, digital transformation in industry 4.0 and 5.0, and privacy and AI.

Abstract:

Dr Yan Wu

China has the world largest online population and the COVID-19 has further spurred a significant digital growth. In June 2019, China has 0.85 billion internet users; the number reached 0.94 billion in 2020, 1.03 billion in 2021 and 1.05 billion in 2022. One of the most dramatic changes of this growth is the rise of the ‘digital silver’. In this paper, we focus on the ageing online population, examining their adoption of digital media, interests and motivation in using different technological solutions, the patterns of their usage, and mitigating measures adopted in tackling issues related to access and digital literacy.

Bio:

Dr Yan Wu is Associate Professor in Media Studies, Swansea University. Her research interests include the social impacts of digitalization in China and the UK. She publishes in journals such as New Media and Society; Global Media and China; International Journal of Digital Television, Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art; etc.

Abstract:

Dr Zhipeng Zhang

TBC

Bio:

Dr. Zhipeng Zhang graduated from Renmin University of China with a doctorate in management. He is currently working at the China University of Labor Relations and a visiting scholar at the University of Huddersfield. His main research areas are algorithmic management practices and organizational behavior from the perspective of human-computer interaction. In recent years, he has published several papers in journals such as Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, Asian Business & Management, Nankai Management Review, and presided over projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Abstract:

Dr Manman Guo

More and more online sales are achieved by virtual Tuber live streaming in China. These 24-hour non-stop live Vtubers interact with users in real time, changing both the traditional retail and e-commerce industries. IDC report shows that China’s AI digital human market is developing rapidly and is expected to reach 10.24 billion yuan in 2026. Will Vtuber live streaming commerce replace real-person streamers? Drawing on the three major elements of new retail concept of “people, goods, place, this article examines how the development of Vtuber and AI technologies may influence the future of streamers and live streaming commerce.

Bio:

Dr Manman Guo is Associate professor at Communication University of China. Expert of Short Video Art Committee of China Film Editing Society. Her research focuses on Creative Industry, Digital Media, and Internet Economy.

Abstract:

Professor Zheng Tang

Smart courts utilize technologies to modernize court proceedings and improve judicial capacity. Smart courts bring challenges to traditional procedural rules and controversy to justice and rule of law. Although smart courts may bring about efficiency, which is a crucial element in the rule of law, it also imposes challenges to the parties’ due process rights, the quality of trial, and the potential harm to justice by the possible bias, lack of transparency and lack of sufficient discretion in AI-assisted decision making. This paper will study topical and controversial rule of law issues in relation to the construction of smart courts, such as how automatic decision-making works; how to balance consistency and discretion; how to protect the access to justice by disadvantaged people; how would automation improve or undermine judicial independence; how smart courts may operate in the cross-border scenario and what challenges it may bring to the traditional concept of sovereignty. It will propose the mechanism, institutions and criteria to design and construct smart courts in order advance their strength and minimize the potential risk to the future justice.

Bio:

Professor Zheng Sophia Tang is a Professor at the Wuhan University School of Law and an Associate Dean at the Academy of International Law and Global Governance, a top thinktank in China. Before that she was a professor in Law and Commerce at the Newcastle University. She is a founding joint editor-in-chief of the Chinese Journal of Transnational Law, an editor of conflictoflaws.net, and a member of the advisory board of Journal of Private International Law. She is also an arbitrator at Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, a barrister and a mediator. Professor Tang is specialised in private international law, law and technology, and Chinese law.

Abstract:

Dr Mengyi Xu

Hybrid working heightens work-life boundary blur, impacting employee well-being and sustainable work. Understanding how employees manage these boundaries and their support needs is crucial for effective implementation. Drawing on the theory of self-exploitation, we argue that hybrid working enhances employees’ control over time and space but reinforces work intensification and the ideal work culture. We conducted a longitudinal diary-interview study with 34 academics and professional staff in the UK Higher Education sector, where hybrid working is widespread. Our findings reveal the paradoxical experiences of managing work-life boundaries, irrespective of prior flexible working experience. Employees, both academics and professional staff, face the autonomy-control paradox, despite professional staff sensing a cultural shift towards the ‘ideal worker.’ This understanding informs theoretical and practical implications for hybrid working.

Bio:

Dr Mengyi Xu (徐梦艺, FHEA, MCIPD) is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Human Resource Management (HRM) and Director of the MSc Management & HRM at Cranfield University. She lectures and researches in the areas of HRM, with a strong focus on work-life interface, the future of work, AI in HRM. She is a Council member of the British Academy of Management and a working member of the Association of British Chinese Professors.

Abstract:

The board independence norm has shaped corporate governance globally, but research on the supply of independent directors (IDs) is limited. ‘New careers’ studies suggest that dynamic non-conventional career paths are evolving, but empirical evidence is mostly limited to Western societies. We studied reasons for academics to consider taking on an ID role in firms in China.

Employing a quantitative methodology, data were collected via a survey targeting 1,500 academics, representing a quarter of business-linked academics in China’s National Key Universities. The response rate was 55% and, after eliminating irrelevant responses, the sample used comprised 581 academics, 111 of whom have taken on an ID role. Career orientation and work attitudes play significant roles in decision-making around career success. Becoming an ID can be a rewarding and positive career path for academics who look for additional responsibility, income, and impact. This new academic career path manifests in how career actors interact with each other to reach a state of equilibrium in a wider career ecosystem. Appointing academics with relevant knowledge and willingness to create impact can help organisations – both firms and academic institutions.

Becoming an ID can increase future collaborations and success in terms of research and corporate governance, and offer individuals another route to career success. The results contribute to research on career studies and corporate governance, revealing a new source of talent for firms and a new career path for academics.

Bio:

TBC

Abstract:

Dr Honglan Yu

Foreign market exit that is unintended is an increasingly acknowledged failure during post-entry internationalization. Drawing from organizational learning theory, existing re-internationalization literature shows that learning more from the failure benefits firm’s subsequent internationalization but depends on whether the focal firm carries out problemistic search. One underlying assumption in the literature is that problemstic search is risk free, automatic and identical. Our multiple case study provokes reconsideration of this assumption by identifying the challenges emergent from problemistic search and shows the need for firms to manage their organizational learning processes to address the challenges.

Bio:

Dr Honglan Yu is a Senior Lecturer in Management (Strategy) at Huddersfield Business School, with research interests in international entrepreneurship and organisational learning. Honglan has published peer review journals, such as Journal of International Management, Journal of Business Research, Technovation and Strategic Change.

Abstract:

Dr Haijian Si

This study proposes that a strategy-specific innovation portfolio, the innovation goals of which are derived directly from the change needs in the specific strategy of the organization, can produce more strategically aligned projects. In a field intervention, 10 business unit (BU) management teams participated in a 6 hour workshop to review their innovation portfolios. Five BUs used a standardized portfolio balance diagram, and five matched BUs used strategy-specific portfolio diagrams derived from their strategic change needs. The BUs with the strategy-specific portfolio diagrams took significantly stronger actions (in every case). The results suggest that emotions play an important role in motivating and energizing action; rational analysis can help channel the motivational energy but is not sufficient to create action readiness in the first place.

Bio:

Dr Si is currently completing his second PhD at CJBS with research interests in Innovation Portfolio Management and Decision Making and his research has been published/accepted in the POM, HBR and PMJ. Prior to entering academia, he has worked in business for over 20 years as CEO of three major new energy companies and holds FCCA, CICPA and CIA memberships as a finance professional.

Abstract:

Dr Sam Boran Li

The role of digitalisation in international business has gained increasing attention in management research due to the transformative impact of new digital technologies on firms’ competitive positioning in international markets. However, as a nascent field, research on digitalisation and internationalisation has been so scattered that a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and contextual conditions through which digitalization makes transformational impacts on international business is needed. This paper addresses this gap through critically reviewing the empirical findings of the extant research that examines the link between digitalisation and internationalisation of SMEs. Analysing the sample of 62 empirical studies published in high-quality journals from 2011 to 2023, the paper finds a number of aspects of digitalisation that play a significant role in SME internationalisation either as main predictors or mediators or moderators. This paper also documented various factors as mediators and moderators of the link between digitalisation and internationalisation of SMEs. On the basis of this analysis, this paper offers a research agenda and managerial implications.

Bio:

Dr Sam is a lecturer in Enterprise and Innovation at Salford Business School. His research area covers SMEs Innovation, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Digital Economy, and Platform Economy.

Panel discussion topic

How may Disruptive Technologies Impact Industries?

Disruptive technologies such as digital technologies and artificial intelligence have a great impact on economies, business models, and people. However, we as researchers have somehow been lagged behind the rapid development of the phenomenon. We therefore have invited four practitioners to share their insight into the latest development together with a professor who is an expert in law and technology.