The Design, Use, and Consequences of Virtual Processes.

Author List: Overby, Eric; Slaughter, Sandra A.; Konsynski, Benn;
Information Systems Research, 2010, Volume 21, Issue 4, Page 700-710.
Process virtualization occurs when a process that relies upon physical interaction between people and/or objects is transitioned to a virtual environment. Process virtualization is having profound effects on society, as an increasing number of both business and nonbusiness processes such as those related to education, medicine, and dating are being migrated to virtual environments. There is a vast literature that relates to process virtualization topics, but it is fragmented across different domains. The purpose of this paper is to propose a research agenda to develop high-level theories and frameworks that inform the general process virtualization phenomenon. Developing these theories and frameworks will synthesize existing knowledge and provide a theoretical foundation upon which to add new knowledge as it is created. This will help policy makers maximize the substantial benefits of virtual processes while minimizing the risks. Given the background, interests, and skills of IS scholars, the IS discipline is well suited to lead in this endeavor.
Keywords: distance learning; electronic commerce; online dating; physical; process virtualization; telemedicine; theory construction; virtual
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#120 0.146 virtual world worlds co-creation flow users cognitive life settings environment place environments augmented second intention spatial interactivity ownership objects immersive
#69 0.119 process business reengineering processes bpr redesign paper research suggests provide past improvements manage enable organizations regarding focal cycle creating issues
#110 0.104 theory theories theoretical paper new understanding work practical explain empirical contribution phenomenon literature second implications different building based insights need
#37 0.095 intelligence business discovery framework text knowledge new existing visualization based analyzing mining genetic algorithms related techniques large proposed novel artificial
#222 0.070 research researchers framework future information systems important present agenda identify areas provide understanding contributions using literature studies paper potential review
#164 0.068 countries global developing technology international country developed national economic policy domestic study foreign globalization world government nations innovative technological especially
#146 0.061 work people workers environment monitoring performance organizations needs physical useful number personal balance perceptions create computer-based technological technologies investigation achievement
#27 0.060 secondary use primary data outcomes objective ways analysis range addresses development purpose budget past outcome wide direct generating occurs desired
#285 0.057 effects effect research data studies empirical information literature different interaction analysis implications findings results important set large provide using paper