@article{AbuJarourAjjanFedorowiczetal.2021,
  author    = {AbuJarour, Safa'a and Ajjan, Haya and Fedorowicz, Jane and Owens, Dawn},
  title     = {How working from home during COVID-19 affects academic productivity},
  series = {Communications of the Association for Information Systems : CAIS},
  volume    = {48},
  journal   = {Communications of the Association for Information Systems : CAIS},
  publisher = {Association for Information Systems},
  address   = {New York, NY},
  issn      = {1529-3181},
  doi       = {10.17705/1CAIS.04808},
  pages     = {55 -- 64},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has forced most academics to work from home. This sudden venue change can affect academics' productivity and exacerbate the challenges that confront universities as they face an uncertain future. In this paper, we identify factors that influence academics' productivity while working from home during the mandate to self-isolate. From analyzing results from a global survey we conducted, we found that both personal and technology-related factors affect an individual's attitude toward working from home and productivity. Our results should prove valuable to university administrators to better address the work-life challenges that academics face.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{AbuJarourAjjanFedorowiczetal.2021,
  author    = {AbuJarour, Safa'a and Ajjan, Haya and Fedorowicz, Jane and K{\"o}ster, Antonia},
  title     = {ICT support for refugees and undocumented immigrants},
  series = {Communications of the Association for Information Systems : CAIS},
  volume    = {48},
  journal   = {Communications of the Association for Information Systems : CAIS},
  publisher = {Association for Information Systems},
  address   = {New York, NY},
  issn      = {1529-3181},
  doi       = {10.17705/1CAIS.04840},
  pages     = {456 -- 475},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Immigrant integration has become a primary political concern for leaders in Germany and the United States. The information systems (IS) community has begun to research how information and communications technologies can assist immigrants and refugees, such as by examining how countries can facilitate social-inclusion processes. Migrants face the challenge of joining closed communities that cannot integrate or fear doing so. We conducted a panel discussion at the 2019 Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS) in Cancun, Mexico, to introduce multiple viewpoints on immigration. In particular, the panel discussed how technology can both support and prevent immigrants from succeeding in their quest. We conducted the panel to stimulate a thoughtful and dynamic discussion on best practices and recommendations to enhance the discipline's impact on alleviating the challenges that occur for immigrants in their host countries. In this panel report, we introduce the topic of using ICT to help immigrants integrate and identify differences between North/Central America and Europe. We also discuss how immigrants (particularly refugees) use ICT to connect with others, feel that they belong, and maintain their identity. We also uncover the dark and bright sides of how governments use ICT to deter illegal immigration. Finally, we present recommendations for researchers and practitioners on how to best use ICT to assist with immigration.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{AbuJarour2021,
  author    = {AbuJarour, Safa'a},
  title     = {Digital inclusion},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-51053},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-510535},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {217},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {In this thesis, we tackle two social disruptions: recent refugee waves in Germany and the COVID-19 pandemic. We focus on the use of information and communication technology (ICT) as a key means of alleviating these disruptions and promoting social inclusion. As social disruptions typically lead to frustration and fragmentation, it is essential to ensure the social inclusion of individuals and societies during such times. In the context of the social inclusion of refugees, we focus on the Syrian refugees who arrived in Germany as of 2015, as they form a large and coherent refugee community. In particular, we address the role of ICTs in refugees' social inclusion and investigate how different ICTs (especially smartphones and social networks) can foster refugees' integration and social inclusion. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, we focus on the widespread unconventional working model of work from home (WFH). Our research here centers on the main constructs of WFH and the key differences in WFH experiences based on personal characteristics such as gender and parental status. We reveal novel insights through four well-established research methods: literature review, mixed methods, qualitative method, and quantitative method. The results of our research have been published in the form of eight articles in major information systems venues and journals. Key results from the refugee research stream include the following: Smartphones represent a central component of refugee ICT use; refugees view ICT as a source of information and power; the social connectedness of refugees is strongly correlated with their Internet use; refugees are not relying solely on traditional methods to learn the German language or pursue further education; the ability to use smartphones anytime and anywhere gives refugees an empowering feeling of global connectedness; and ICTs empower refugees on three levels (community participation, sense of control, and self-efficacy). Key insights from the COVID-19 WFH stream include: Gender and the presence of children under the age of 18 affect workers' control over their time, technology usefulness, and WFH conflicts, while not affecting their WFH attitudes; and both personal and technology-related factors affect an individual's attitude toward WFH and their productivity. Further insights are being gathered at the time of submitting this thesis. This thesis contributes to the discussion within the information systems community regarding how to use different ICT solutions to promote the social inclusion of refugees in their new communities and foster an inclusive society. It also adds to the growing body of research on COVID-19, in particular on the sudden workplace transformation to WFH. The insights gathered in this thesis reveal theoretical implications and future opportunities for research in the field of information systems, practical implications for relevant stakeholders, and social implications related to the refugee crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic that must be addressed.},
  language  = {en}
}