*************************** CALL FOR PAPERS (Second Call) *************************** SUBMISSION DUE DATE: February 15, 2012 SPECIAL ISSUE ON Information Communication Technologies for Open Business International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD) <http://www.igi-global.com/Bookstore/TitleDetails.aspx?TitleId=1101&DetailsType=CallForPapersSpecial>http://www.igi-global.com/Bookstore/TitleDetails.aspx?TitleId=1101&DetailsType=CallForPapersSpecial Guest Editors: Hakikur Rahman and Isabel Ramos, University of Minho, Portugal INTRODUCTION: The past three decades of human development have seen the transformation of global economy, entrepreneurship, and social structure, which have been mainly experienced by industrialized nations. New approaches on interpretation and framework in entrepreneurship have emerged following neo-Schumpeterian analysis. The rise of a new techno-economic paradigm determines the emergence of an interrelated set of innovations at all business levels, such as production (product, processes, and service), organizational structures, and cultural models. Innovation has transformed from being within closed peripheries to open paradigm. Entrepreneurships and business processes are increasingly adopting open innovation strategies to compete in this globalized scenario. A concept of open business is emerging surrounding the opportunities and constraints, and at the same time enable the businesses to fit into the global economy. It is expected that not only developed countries, but also, developing and transitional countries will be benefited from this open business concept, leading to a sustained business model of value chain. OBJECTIVE OF THE SPECIAL ISSUE: An open business environment is a newly evolved and emerging concept in the area of entrepreneurships that may support establishment of new ventures, ICT start-ups, or even joint ventures. This relates to all business communities, especially among SMEs to enter into the new market and operate on a national and global scale from their inception, removing roadblocks, supporting new ways of networking, and taking opportunity of the networked knowledge domain. In this context, human development and innovation ecosystems remain as the main focus. Thus, open business context can trigger immense possibilities of accelerating knowledge acquisition, intensifying entrepreneurship development and improving business skills, therefore, leading to business sustainability in an era when intellectual goods will become the basis of developed and developing economies. This special issue accommodates theoretical research and global practices incorporating the concept of open business in the arena of entrepreneurship focusing human development aspects utilizing ICTs in developed and developing economies. RECOMMENDED TOPICS: Topics to be discussed in this special issue include (but are not limited to) the following topics in relation to utilization of ICTs for open business: · Global aspects of open business · Information and communication technologies that leverage open business · Innovation, entrepreneurship and development · Open business and human development · Open business and innovation ecosystems · Open business and sustainable development · Open business applications and intermediaries · Open business barriers and challenges · Open business concepts and strategies · Open business prospects and opportunities · Open innovation and open business · Open business in developing economies SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit papers for this special theme issue on ICTs for Open Business on or before November 1, 2011. All submissions must be original and may not be under review by another publication. INTERESTED AUTHORS SHOULD CONSULT THE JOURNALS GUIDELINES FOR MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS at <http://www.igi-global.com/Files/AuthorEditor/guidelinessubmission.pdf>http://www.igi-global.com/Files/AuthorEditor/guidelinessubmission.pdf. All submitted papers will be reviewed on a double-blind, peer review basis. Papers must follow APA style for reference citations. ABOUT International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD) The mission of the International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD) is to create awareness on how ICTs contribute to human development in multiple areas. This journal describes the link between ICTs and human development, which includes economic, social, and political development. IJICTHD identifies potential applications for the development of human beings and provides insightful analysis about those factors (also contextual and institutional ones) that affect ICTs for human development initiatives. Proposing strategies to both governments and international cooperation organizations for moving forward, this journal also addresses future challenges. This journal is an official publication of the Information Resources Management Association <http://www.igi-global.com/ijicthd>www.igi-global.com/ijicthd Editors-in-Chief: Susheel Chhabra and Hakikur Rahman Published: Quarterly (both in Print and Electronic form) PUBLISHER: The International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD) is published by IGI Global (formerly Idea Group Inc.), publisher of the Information Science Reference (formerly Idea Group Reference), Medical Information Science Reference, Business Science Reference, and Engineering Science Reference imprints. For additional information regarding the publisher, please visit <http://www.igi-pub.com>www.igi-global.com. All submissions should be should be directed to the attention of: Hakikur Rahman E-mail: <mailto:email@hakik.org>email@hakik.org