The inaugural edition of the India Conference on Information Systems (INCIS) is being organized by the AIS India Chapter (INAIS) in collaboration with IIM Calcutta, the Centre for Digital Transformation at IIM Ahmedabad, S. P. Jain Institute of Management & Research and MDI Gurgaon.
As the premier body for promoting research, practice, and education in Information Systems (IS), the Association for Information Systems (AIS) has been at the forefront of advancing the field globally. With members from over 100 countries, AIS is dedicated to fostering academic excellence through conferences, journals, special interest groups, and a vibrant community network.
INAIS, established in late 2016, serves as the Indian arm of AIS, supporting academic and professional activities of researchers and practitioners within the country. Since its inception, INAIS has been instrumental in organizing conferences, workshops on research methods and pedagogy, seminars, and webinars, contributing significantly to the global IS community. Notably, the chapter has garnered extensive recognition, consistently winning the best AIS chapter award for four consecutive years since 2019. The chapter's members have actively participated in various roles at the International Conference on Information Systems, showcasing their commitment and expertise.
In today's digital age, where technology permeates every facet of life, the importance of IS as a discipline cannot be overstated. IS plays a critical role in helping individuals, organizations, and societies navigate, plan for, and manage digital environments while being prepared for diverse outcomes. The field of IS is pivotal in shaping modern societies, influencing how we communicate, work, and address complex problems.
However, the prevalent theories and models in IS often originate from Western contexts, which may not fully capture the nuanced realities of different cultural settings, particularly those of communities in the global south. Recognizing this gap, there is a burgeoning interest in integrating indigenous knowledge systems into IS research and practice (Abubakre, Faik, & Mkansi, 2021; Davison & Díaz Andrade, 2018; Seetharaman, Mathew & De’, 2024). This integration aims to ensure that IS frameworks are culturally sensitive, equitable, and widely applicable.
By incorporating indigenous perspectives, we challenge conventional IS paradigms, fostering a broader and more inclusive approach to technology development and implementation. Embracing these diverse cultural insights can lead to innovative, sustainable, and culturally compatible technology solutions (Radjou, Prabhu, & Ahuja, 2011). This conference seeks to deepen and expand this conversation, encouraging researchers and practitioners to explore how indigenous knowledge and perspectives can be systematically woven into IS research and practice.
We invite scholars, practitioners, community leaders, and students to contribute their research, case studies, and innovative practices that promote an inclusive and diverse technological future. We aim to understand and celebrate the profound impact that indigenous wisdom can have on contemporary information technologies and systems. Join us in this endeavor to theorize and practically demonstrate the benefits of integrating indigenous knowledge in various IS contexts, paving the way for a more inclusive and enriched technological landscape.