Call for Papers

The digitization of work has expanded the possibility of collecting traces of activities, and AI techniques are now expanding the potential for analyzing this large amount of data. This phenomenon is mostly associated with forms of control and evaluation of worker’s activities, thus generating forms of resistance. It is therefore important to think about ways of collecting and processing this data that could improve the quality of life at work, by tackling information, cognitive, or communication overload. Indeed, this data could be used to improve deliberation in organizations, by providing digital representations of the activity that is not easy to grasp in day-to-day professional work. 

The objective of this workshop is to gather researchers interested in discussing how data could be collected, analyzed, and discussed to improve the quality of life at work: which data? Which methods for its collection and its analysis? Under which conditions? 

This topic (data at the workplace) therefore raises many questions:

• How can we effectively collect data from work activities? What are the best practices for recording digital traces, whether in real-time or retrospectively?

• What methods can we use to analyze the collected data? How can AI and other analytical tools provide meaningful insights?

• How do we move beyond hierarchical control when working with data? Can data processing serve purposes beyond oversight, such as improving working conditions or promoting workplace democracy?

• What innovative applications exist for the data we collect? How can it contribute to worker well-being and decision-making?

• What advantages does automated data collection offer? How can organizational players (managers, employees, trade unions) leverage data for informed decision-making?

• How can organizations ensure responsible data collection and handling? What protocols should be in place to protect privacy and confidentiality?

• How do we address biases in data collection and analysis? What steps can we take to ensure fairness, especially when making decisions based on data insights?

• What processes should be followed to obtain informed consent from employees regarding data collection? How can transparency build trust?

• Who owns the data generated in the workplace? How can we balance organizational needs with individual rights?

• What are the potential long-term consequences of data utilization? How can we mitigate negative effects?

• How do different stakeholders (employees, management, customers) perceive data usage? How can we align their interests ethically?

Workshop themes

To address the questions posed, we invite contributions on the following themes, while recognizing that this list is not exhaustive: 

• Empirical Studies on Data Collection: How do different forms of data collection impact work environments? What insights can empirical studies provide regarding data gathering practices?

• Metrics and Workplace Dynamics: What role do metrics play in shaping work experiences? How can we strike a balance between measurement and employee well-being?

• Debates and Norm Formation: How do debates around data collection influence the collective formation of norms? What tensions arise, and how can they be resolved?

• Navigating Resistance and Workarounds: When faced with data-related challenges, how do individuals and teams respond? What creative workarounds emerge, and what can we learn from them?

• Methodological Innovations: What novel methodologies can enhance data collection and analysis at work? How can we address methodological challenges effectively?

• Conceptualizing Agency and Trust: How do different forms of agency and trust intersect with data practices? What ethical considerations arise when individuals interact with data systems?

• Participatory Software Design: How can software and AI systems be designed collaboratively to collect, analyze, and visualize data? What role does participatory design play in shaping usage norms?

• Implementing Ethical Infrastructure: What IT systems and algorithms are needed to ensure responsible data utilization? How can we program infrastructure that aligns with ethical principles?

Regardless of the type of work context, these themes offer valuable insights. We particularly welcome reflections and testimonies—both positive and negative—on data collection for workplace democracy and the enhancement of working conditions.

Activities

• Maximum number of participants : 15

• Length of the workshop: 1 day

The workshop is planned as a full day event divided into two sessions and will include additional online activities organized prior to the workshop. The contributions will be made available on the workshop website in order to prepare the attendees for the discussions at the workshop. In addition to the themes highlighted here by the workshop organizers, other themes for the workshop that emerge from the position papers will be posted on the website. Participants will be invited to reflect on these themes. Depending on the scope and focus of the contributions, we will consider proposing some guiding questions.

The first half of the workshop would be devoted to the brief presentations of participants’ research. In order to stimulate the exchanges, each selected proposal will be assigned to a discussant who will give a short summary of the short paper’s main topic and its contribution to the workshop, talk about the submitted short paper and raise questions to the author(s) during the workshop. The author(s) will be able to answer the questions by sharing empirical material or results, by explaining conceptual framework or by developing on methodological choices. The second half of the workshop will consist of the collective development of a synthesis upon identified themes with a review of the literature. The group would be first divided and then gathered for a final restitution

Goals

The first workshop brought together researchers interested in these topics, we wish to strengthen these links and broaden the community.

Depending on the outcome of the workshop’s discussions and on the interest of the participants, we may explore further publication outlets for the workshop papers. We were in particular thinking of a special issue of the CSCW Journal about collecting data in the workplace. 

Submissions

Participation in the workshop requires the submission of a paper. We encourage potential participants to explain their interest in the workshop and particularly welcome papers that address one (or more) of the workshop themes outlined above. Papers are limited to a 1500 words (excluding references) in the ECSCW paper format. A template specifying the format is available in LaTeX, RTF, and Word. You submit your paper, converted to PDF, using the submission form. 

The submitted papers will be reviewed by the organizers and accepted on the basis of the relevance and development of their content. If the number of people interested in attending the workshop exceeds its capacity, the organizers will prioritize submissions that make for rich presentations and discussions, while also seeking diversity among the participants. 

In addition to submitting a paper, participation in the workshop requires that the authors of accepted papers register for ECSCW2024.