Call for Papers

Click to download PDF of Call for Papers

The deadline for abstract submission was December 19, 2011. Abstract submission is now closed.

We cordially invite submissions of individual papers and panels of papers for the 2012 Industry Studies Conference, to be held on May 29-June 1, at the Pittsburgh Athletic Association (formerly William Pitt Union) at the University of Pittsburgh. The field of industry studies includes research on industries and non-profit activities as well as cross-industry analysis. It may also focus on the particular technologies, occupations, or subgroups within an industry or across industries. It draws on a wide range of academic disciplines and fields, including economics and other social sciences, management, operations research, engineering, labor markets and employment relations, and other related research and policy areas.

Industry studies research is grounded in observation of firms and workplaces and in a deep understanding of the markets, institutions, and technologies that shape the competitive environment. We welcome research of all kinds that incorporates this approach. The Program Committee seeks papers and panels that would not typically be found in methodology-focused or single-discipline conferences, and is especially interested in attracting 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 conference program will include competitively selected panels and individual papers. The program also will feature a pre-conference workshop for junior faculty, plenary sessions, and an awards luncheon.

2012 Special Theme: Policy Connections in Industry Studies

While the 2012 Industry Studies Annual Conference is open to all papers and panels relevant to industry studies (see below), we are especially encouraging panels and presentations this year that examine the connections between policy and industry studies. Because industry studies focuses on the details of how real-world industries operate, we can illuminate the effects of governmental policy at all levels on industry in a unique manner. In addition, the breadth of industry studies scholarship has the potential to inform policy across multiple areas. Topics of interest relevant to this special theme include, but are not limited to:

  • What are the effects of regional (e.g. EU, NAFTA), national, and local policy upon particular industries? Some aspects for consideration: the impacts on the quality of the workforce, transactions costs, regulation, innovation, technological advancement, and global competitiveness
  • How do industry and industrial associations take advantage of or create incentives that influence local, national, and regional policy in their favor? For example, in what ways do industries influence and exploit local tax incentives that encourage investment in particular locations, technologies, human capital, education, science and technology-based employment opportunities?
  • Should industry studies as a discipline be designed to influence policy at all? If so, how does this affect experimental design and the type of fieldwork undertaken? How should researchers connect with policy makers so that the results of their research can be most effectively utilized?
  • What sorts of industry studies are policy makers most interested in? What sorts of studies should they be interested in?
  • How does industry studies research contribute to job creation and the well-being of workers?
  • What are international differences in policies that attempt to influence industry outcomes and technological advantages?
  • What are the effects of policy on cross-industry outcomes? 

Submission Process

Researchers may submit abstracts (of up to 250 words) for single papers. Accepted papers will be assigned to sessions by the Program Committee. We also encourage researchers to propose panels comprising multiple papers on a common theme (e.g., using one methodology across multiple industries, or multiple diverse approaches to a common problem in a single industry), particularly if it ties into the special theme for this year. The deadline for abstract submission was December 19, 2011.

The Program Committee has developed topical research streams to organize the submission process, and we encourage researchers to match their abstracts to streams that reflect their research. However, the streams are not meant to be exhaustive, and the committee also welcomes submissions in the “General Industry Studies” category. Panels and presentations related to the special theme should be matched to the most relevant stream below. If a submission crosses streams, please pick the stream in which you would prefer to present. 

Research streams:

Proposals for Individual Papers: The online submission procedure for individual papers will require a title and an abstract of no more than 250 words. The abstract should include a description of the central research question(s), methods, and key findings. Key data sources should be highlighted in the abstract, including, where applicable, the observational basis of the research (e.g., field-based interviews, site visits, participant observation, surveys, archival data collection). Researchers should also supply names and basic contact information for co-authors.

Proposals for Panels: The online submission procedure for panel proposals will require the chair of the proposed panel to submit a panel title and abstract. The abstract should describe the overall theme and format of the panel. The panel organizer will then also submit the individual abstracts for each paper presented in the panel by clicking the “add paper” feature associated with that panel in accordance with the instructions on the submission website. Each paper abstract should contain the information described for individual paper submissions as listed above. It is important that panel organizers also be ready to supply the names and basic contact information (esp. email addresses) for all paper presenters and any panel co-chairs.

Notification of acceptance of submissions will be made by January 31, 2012. Authors will be asked to submit their papers and presentations to the website by May 2, 2012, and the papers may be invited for publication in the Industry Studies Working Paper Series.
 
The conference is open to all researchers. A discounted conference registration fee will be charged to members of the Industry Studies Association (to become a member, please visit www.industrystudies.org).

This site will be updated regularly as more information about the conference becomes available. Please feel free to contact the Conference Program Co-Chairs, Edward Anderson Edward.Anderson@mccombs.utexas.edu, Peter Berg bergp@msu.edu, or Rafiq Dossani Dossani1@stanford.edu, with related questions.
 
2012 Industry Studies Conference Program Committee:

  • Edward Anderson, University of Texas at Austin (program chair)
  • Peter Berg, Michigan State University (program co-chair)
  • Rafiq Dossani, Stanford University (program co-chair)
  • Hamsa Balakrishnan, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Carey Durkin Treado, University of Pittsburgh
  • Adam Seth Litwin, Johns Hopkins University
  • Gail Pesyna, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
  • Ekundayo Shittu, Tulane University
  • Sheryl Winston Smith, Temple University

 

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