ECRM 2015 14th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies University of Malta Valletta, Malta 11-12 June 2015 Conference Chair: Dr. Frank Bezzina, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, University of Malta, Malta Programme Chair: Dr. Vincent Cassar, Faculty of Economics, Management and Accountancy, University of Malta, Malta CALL FOR PAPERS, Case Studies, Work in Progress/Posters, PhD Research, Round Table Proposals, non-academic Contributions and Product Demonstrations (ECRM) provides a forum to meet and exchange views on our lives as researchers and academics, with others who understand the world in which we live. Over a few days, with those impassioned with all that is and could be methodology, we hear the words ‘paradigm’, ‘mixed methods’, ‘research strategies’ and many more, both in the formal sessions and later around meal tables and elsewhere. For many participants this conference has become an eagerly awaited stop on the personal voyage of discovery that is ‘research’. The 2015 conference welcomes participants to the University of Malta in Valletta. The conference committee is attracted by both theoretical and practical papers on many subjects, as well as by innovative ideas and experiences. We are also interested in case studies that demonstrate how research strategies have been applied and the lessons learned. We welcome contributions on many topics, presenting a range of scholarly approaches. Theoretical and empirical papers employing qualitative, quantitative and critical methods are eagerly awaited. Action research, case studies and work-in-progress/posters are welcomed approaches. PhD Research, proposals for roundtable discussions, non-academic contributions and product demonstrations based on the main themes are also invited. Topics may include, but are not limited to: General topics: Research teaching within 21st century higher education institutions; Projective techniques; Scales development and constructs measurement; Methods for Ensuring Survey Research Quality; Theoretical and empirical research; The use of qualitative and quantitative research methods; Economic research; IT adoption research; Evaluation research; Design-oriented research; Developing research proposals; Dissertation development process; Getting academic papers accepted by journals; Research design and triangulation; Concept verification; Theory development; Research protocols; Research supervision; Research questions; Research ethics; Field-work; Reflexivity; Reflective practice; Problem solving; Data structuring; Usability scale implementation; Replication logic; Experimental procedures; Human subjects; Codes of conduct; Business and management education; Conjoint analysis, cluster analysis and segmentation; Mutual research designs; The role of Paradigms in business and IS research; Paradigmatic divide; Interpretative theory; Focus groups; Researcher roles; Mixed designs; Marketing research; Intercultural research; Design research; Use of self-research and autobiographies as a means of undertaking and reporting research; Agent based approaches in business research; Case study research method; Delphi method; Computer modelling and simulation; Action research; Online research methods; Visual methodologies; Research in the Middle East; Relativist approaches to qualitative research. Researching Sensitive issues: Ethnography and the Risky Workplace; Confidentiality and ethics; Ethnicity; Race; Gender; Age; Disability; Sexuality; Ill-health; Mental health; Stress; Relationships at work; Intimacy; http://academic-conferences.org/ecrm/ecrm2015/ecrm15-call-papers.htm A conference managed by Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited 14th European Conference on Research Methodology for Business and Management Studies, Malta 11-12 June 2015 Bullying; Emotions in organisations; Ideology; Propaganda; Union membership; Whistle blowing; Trust and distrust; Honesty; Work and home life balance; Superstitions; Belief and disbelief; Faith; Religion and cultural practices. Publication opportunity Papers accepted for the conference will be published in the conference proceedings, subject to author registration and payment. The proceedings have an ISBN and details of the proceedings accreditations are listed on the conference website. Selected papers will also be considered for publication in a special issue of the Electronic Journal of Business Research Methods. (ISSN: 1477-029) The latest issue of the journal is available to read online. The journal is listed on several international lists. Full details are available on the conference website. As well as full academic papers, the following submissions are welcomed: Work in Progress/Posters Researchers are invited to submit current projects which are either at the proposals stage or are work in progress. PhD Research: Doctoral Candidates are invited to submit papers describing their research. Case Study Submissions; Submissions should be written to publishable standards. Non-Academic Contributions; Contributions from individuals and organisations working in the field. These contributions can take the form of a presentation or a demonstration. Round Table Proposals; Topical subjects proposed for discussion. Product Demonstrations and Exhibitor Opportunities: If you are contributing to the conference in any of the above categories you may also request the opportunity to give a product demonstration. If you would like to exhibit and/or demonstrate a product at the conference we suggest that you apply for one of our exhibitor packages. Submission details Abstracts: All submission types require a 300-500 word abstract in the first instance, to be received by 20 November 2014. Please read the guidelines at http://academic-conferences.org/abstract-guidelines.htm Submission: Only accepted by online form submission at http://academic-conferences.org/ecrm/ecrm2015/ecrm15-abstract-submission.htm Full paper: Only required for academic submissions once the abstract has been selected, no more than 5,000 words to be received by 8 January 2015. Papers should be submitted as .doc or .rtf file attachments by email to the Conference Manager, Julia Hawkins ([email protected]). Due to the large number of papers expected for this conference, the committee prefers that an author presents only one paper. However, if multiple papers are accepted for publication and presentation, each paper requires a separate registration fee. Author registration and payment must be completed by 7 May 2015 and there are special discounts available for earlybird registration and group bookings, including a special reduced rate for supervisors and students attending together. All full papers will be double-blind reviewed by members of the conference committee to ensure an adequate standard, that the proposed subject of their abstract has been followed, that the paper is of a suitable length, the standard of English is adequate and the paper is appropriately referenced. Important dates Abstract submission deadline: Notification of abstract acceptance: Final copy of full paper due: Notification of paper acceptance (subject to any requested changes): Earlybird registration closes: Final paper submission (with changes): Final author payment date: 20 November 2014 27 November 2014 8 January 2015 19 March 2015 2 April 2015 16 April 2015 7 May 2015 The conference programme committee is currently being updated. Full details will be posted on the conference website as soon as they are confirmed. This pdf is an abbreviated call for papers. The full call for papers can be found online at http://academic-conferences.org/ecrm/ecrm2015/ecrm15-call-papers.htm A conference managed by Academic Conferences and Publishing International Limited