DECISION - Call for Papers: Special Issue on the Digital Economy in the Global South

Guest editors

Dr. Sayantan Khanra, Assistant Professor at SBM-NMIMS  Mumbai, India
email: sayantan.khanra@sbm.nmims.edu (this opens in a new tab)
https://sbm.nmims.edu/faculty-sayantan-khanra.php (this opens in a new tab)

Dr. Anuragini Shirish, Associate Professor at Institut Mines-Télécom Business School, France
email: anuragini.shirish@imt-bs.eu (this opens in a new tab)
https://www.imt-bs.eu/en/teacher/shirish-anuragini/ (this opens in a new tab)

Background

In recent decades, the economically disadvantaged regions of the Global South have undergone a profound transformation, driven by the widespread proliferation of digital technologies (Böhmecke-Schwafert & Moreno, 2023; Heng, Tsilionis, Scharff, & Wautelet, 2022). This seismic shift has given rise to what we now recognize as the digital economy, characterized by the intricate web of online connections linking individuals, businesses, devices, data, and operational processes (Brynjolfsson & Collis, 2019; Li, Li, & Tao, 2023). Remarkably, one of the most striking developments in this digital revolution has been the ubiquitous adoption of mobile phones, even in remote and previously underserved areas in the global south (Shirish, Srivastava, & Chandra, 2021, Srivastava and Shainesh 2015). These mobile devices have assumed a pivotal role as the primary gateway to the digital realm, enabling connectivity, seamless information retrieval, and active participation in the burgeoning digital economy (Gupta, Tyagi, & Upadhyay, 2018). This transformative landscape has ushered the Global South into a new era, presenting a complex tapestry of opportunities and challenges that have fundamentally reshaped the economic landscape of these regions (Haßler, 2022; Sarangi & Pradhan, 2020). 

The digital economy has emerged as a potent driver of economic growth within the Global South. Along with big corporations, small and medium-sized enterprises too have harnessed its power to tap into broader markets (Shirish, Srivastava, & Panteli, 2023). One of its transformative impacts is the democratization of financial services (Khanra, Dhir, Kaur, & Joseph, 2021). Digital payment solutions have smashed barriers, extending financial access to previously marginalized communities (Srivastava, Nehme, Luherne, & Kone, 2021). This digital wave has fueled e-commerce further, driving increased economic activity and creating fresh job opportunities (Bhargava, 2022). Thus, the digital economy's impact has been profound, altering the very fabric of economic interactions and opening doors to unprecedented growth, innovation, and access to financial services.  However, the digital economy faces a set of formidable challenges in the Global South. The digital divide, privacy concerns, and regulatory ambiguities are just a few among a range of complex socio-economic issues that demand attention (Khanna & Khanra, 2023; Reggi & Gil-Garcia, 2021). 

The digital economy has become a hotbed for innovation and entrepreneurship in the Global South, giving rise to thriving startup hubs and technology epicenters across several nations (Teece, 2018). These burgeoning ecosystems have not only attracted significant investments but have also harnessed a pool of highly skilled talent, propelling the region's economic growth (Pan, Xie, Wang, & Ma, 2022). Meanwhile, governments in the Global South have proactively adopted digital solutions to boost transparency in public services, combat corruption, and broaden citizens' access to government resources (Khanra & Joseph, 2019). Leading urban centers like Bangalore, Lagos, and São Paulo have emerged as dynamic tech hubs, serving as catalysts for innovation and drawing both domestic and international investment. The Global South has now firmly cemented its place on the global tech stage in the digital age.

Focus of this Special Issue

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of the Global South, and it is imperative to develop a comprehensive strategy that simultaneously addresses challenges and maximizes the benefits. This approach is pivotal for sustaining growth and prosperity in the region. The Global South's ongoing adaptation to the digital age will significantly influence the trajectory of the 21st-century global digital economy, positioning these regions as key players in this dynamic transformation. DECISION is committed to unraveling complexities and shedding light on uncertainties, plays a pivotal role in deepening our comprehension of these digital shifts. This Special Issue of DECISION extends an invitation for the submission of both empirical and conceptual articles.

We are keen to explore the realm of the Digital Economy in the Global South through the varied lenses of decision-makers such as managers, consumers, policy-makers, citizens, and entrepreneurs. Join us in unraveling the complexities of decision-making in this rapidly evolving digital landscape and be part of a compelling discourse that aims to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities encountered by decision-makers in the Global South. This special issue of DECISION is dedicated to exploring the brighter sides of digital economy. We eagerly anticipate submissions focusing on the topics listed below, though the list is not exhaustive.

1. Digital Infrastructure and Readiness for Future
2. Digital Innovations for the Bottom of the Pyramid
3. Digital Literacy and Skill Development for Jobs
4. E-Commerce Thrives: B2B, B2C, B2G, D2C, & P2P
5. E-Governance, Smart Cities and Digital Democracy
6. Empowering Women: Driving Digital Change
7. FinTech Rising: Payment Evolution Unleashed
8. Food Tech and AgriTech: Nourishing Tomorrow
9. Green Tech and Clean Tech for Sustainability
10. Health Tech: Digital Solutions at Service
11. Inclusive Tech: Bridging the Digital Divide
12. Internet of Everything: Future of Humanity
13. Leading Digitally: Mastering the Network Effects
14. Regulatory Frameworks for Digital Consumptions
15. Startup Ecosystems: Rise of Born-Global Firms 

Submission Tracks

Your contribution to this Special Issue of DECISION could serve as a comprehensive resource for scholars and practitioners delving into the Digital Economy's dynamics in the Global South. Please consider submitting your research in one of the following tracks:

• Research Papers: original contributions rooted in primary data, that not only build upon but also refine, advance, validate, and even challenge existing theories
• Case Studies: in-depth analysis of a single company/case or a comparative research encompassing multiple companies/cases
• Synthesis, Review, and Curations: systematic synthesis of prior literature on topics pertinent to this special issue 

Recommended word limit of a submission is 10,000 words including all figures, tables, references, etc. Submission guidelines are available from here: 
https://www.springer.com/journal/40622/submission-guidelines  (this opens in a new tab)

Tentative Timeline

• Paper submissions open: 01 November 2023 – 31 March 2024
• Desk decision: by 30 April 2024
• First Review decision: by 30 June 2024
• First Revision due by 15 August 2024
• Second Review decision: by 30 September 2024
• Second Revision due by 30 October 2024
• Issue available online: December 2024

References
Bhargava, H. K. (2022). The creator economy: Managing ecosystem supply, revenue sharing, and platform design. Management Science, 68(7), 5233-5251.

Böhmecke-Schwafert, M., & Moreno, E. G. (2023). Exploring blockchain-based innovations for economic and sustainable development in the global south: A mixed-method approach based on web mining and topic modeling. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 191, 122446.

Brynjolfsson, E., & Collis, A. (2019). How should we measure the digital economy. Harvard Business Review, 97(6), 140-148.

Gupta, S., Tyagi, K., & Upadhyay, R. (2018). Twilight of voice, dawn of data: The future of telecommunications in India. DECISION, 45, 161-183.

Haßler, B. (2022). Reaching SDG4 By 2030: characteristics of interventions that can accelerate progress in the lowest-income countries. DECISION, 49(2), 189-194.

Heng, S., Tsilionis, K., Scharff, C., & Wautelet, Y. (2022). Understanding AI ecosystems in the Global South: The cases of Senegal and Cambodia. International Journal of Information Management, 64, 102454.

Khanna, P., & Khanra, S. (2023). Citizen empowerment through smart surveillance: evidence from Indian smart cities. Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, 25(4), 385-401.

Khanra, S., & Joseph, R. P. (2019). Adoption of e-Governance: The mediating role of language proficiency and digital divide in an emerging market context. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy, 13(2), 122-142.

Khanra, S., Dhir, A., Kaur, P., & Joseph, R. P. (2021). Factors influencing the adoption postponement of mobile payment services in the hospitality sector during a pandemic. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 46, 26-39.

Li, C., Li, H., & Tao, C. (2023). Evolutionary game of platform enterprises, government and consumers in the context of digital economy. Journal of Business Research, 167, 113858.

Pan, W., Xie, T., Wang, Z., & Ma, L. (2022). Digital economy: An innovation driver for total factor productivity. Journal of Business Research, 139, 303-311.

Reggi, L., & Gil-Garcia, J. R. (2021). Addressing territorial digital divides through ICT strategies: Are investment decisions consistent with local needs? Government Information Quarterly, 38(2), 101562.

Sarangi, A. K., & Pradhan, R. P. (2020). ICT infrastructure and economic growth: A critical assessment and some policy implications. DECISION, 47, 363-383.

Shirish, A., Srivastava, S. C., & Chandra, S. (2021). Impact of mobile connectivity and freedom on fake news propensity during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-country empirical examination. European Journal of Information Systems, 30(3), 322-341.

Shirish, A., Srivastava, S. C., & Panteli, N. (2023). Management and sustenance of digital transformations in the Irish microbusiness sector: examining the key role of microbusiness owner-manager. European Journal of Information Systems, 1-25.

Srivastava, S. C., & Shainesh, G. (2015). Bridging the service divide through digitally enabled service innovations. MIS Quarterly, 39(1), 245-268.

Srivastava, S. C., Nehme, J. J., Luherne, A., & Kone, B. (2021). How Orange Achieved Long- Term Adaptability and Value Creation by Proactively Transforming its Business. MIS Quarterly Executive, 20(1).

Teece, D. J. (2018). Profiting from innovation in the digital economy: Enabling technologies, standards, and licensing models in the wireless world. Research Policy, 47(8), 1367-1387.