Four new research papers accepted at PACIS 2021:

Bankamp, S. and Muntermann, J. 2021. “Are My Stocks Sustainable? Design Principles for Leveraging Information from Analyst Reports,“ in Proceedings of the 25th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, Dubai, VAE.

Abstract: We address the problem of insufficient information about companies’ sustainability, thereby helping investors to incorporate sustainability aspects into investment decisions. Building upon the design science research paradigm, we develop an artifact to extract
information on companies’ sustainability from text documents (analyst reports). We derive design principles that allow us to extract this information effectively and with a high degree of classification performance. The evaluation of the artifact shows that the proposed approach results in a precise extraction of sustainability-related information. Furthermore, this information is shown to be useful for supporting investors’ decisionmaking.

Metzler, D. R. and Muntermann, J. 2021. “Digital Transformation-Driven Business Model Innovation – Current State and Future Research Directions,“ in Proceedings of the 25th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, Dubai, VAE.

Abstract: Existing research on digital transformation agrees that digital transformation impacts the transforming firms’ existing business models in manifold ways. However, research examining the underlying mechanisms and the specific impact is still rare. This study introduces the concept of digital transformation-driven business model innovation, subsequently conceptualizes and summarizes the existing literature in this field, and finally presents recommendations on future research directions. Based on a systematic literature review, we show that digital transformation-driven business model innovation gained increasing importance in the information systems and management literature in recent years. Existing research primarily focuses on conceptual foundations, antecedents, processes, outcomes, and the evaluation of digital transformation-driven business model innovation. Nevertheless, research in this field is still in its infancy, which is reflected by research gaps that we have identified in all of these research directions.

Torno, A., Metzler, D. R., and Torno, V. 2021. “Robo-What?, Robo-Why?, Robo-How? – A Systematic Literature Review of Robo-Advice ,“ in Proceedings of the 25th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, Dubai, VAE.

Abstract: Robo-advisors (RAs) guide investors through an automated financial advice process, recommend personalized portfolio assignments based on their risk-affinity and goals, and rebalance their portfolio automatically over time. While still a novel instantiation of FinTechs, an increased number of RA publications, especially in 2019 and 2020, shows a determined interest of research in the subject. However, no comprehensive state-of-the-art nor a set of future research directions is available. We, therefore, conduct a systematic literature review, analyzing 42 peer-reviewed articles focusing on RA. We provide descriptive statistics of the articles, including research approaches and regional focuses, and classify the literature in an Organizing Framework for RA Research with the three main themes RA Users, RA Service, and RA Competition. We summarize RA's current scientific knowledge by showing important insights on each theme and the interrelation between the themes. Lastly, we provide fruitful future research directions derived from RA literature.

Torno, A., Werth, O., Nickerson, R., Breitner, M., and Muntermann, J. 2021. “More than Mobile Banking – A Taxonomy-Based Analysis of Mobile Personal Finance Applications,“ in Proceedings of the 25th Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, Dubai, VAE.

Abstract: Mobile personal finance applications cannot only assist users in daily personal finance activities, e.g., mobile banking, but can also guide users to optimize long-term financial decisions. Still, research lacks a rigorous classification of this critical mobile commerce domain. We provide insights by developing a taxonomy and conducting a cluster analysis of mobile personal finance applications. We classify 170 mobile personal finance applications into twelve dimensions, combining a technical artifact perspective with a financial services perspective. Additionally, we empirically identify ten distinct clusters of archetypical application configurations. While we classify the field and give inclinations for future research, financial service providers and application developers can understand their competitors and use our insights to improve their applications. Potential users of these applications can use our findings to select mobile applications to optimize their personal finance endeavors.

New research paper accepted at eBled 2021:

Röder, J. 2021. “Alternative Data for Credit Risk Management: An Analysis of the Current State of Research,“ in Proceedings of the 34th Bled eConference, Bled, Slovenia. (forthcoming)

Abstract: Determining credit risk is important to banks and non-banks alike. For credit risk management, the heterogeneous data generated today can potentially complement the established data such as balance sheet ratios. It has not yet been clearly shown which alternative data sources such as social media or satellite data provide added value and how this value can be extracted effectively. This review provides an overview of the intersection between these areas and develops a research agenda. The analysis of the 29 identified papers shows that the use of financial news is analyzed most frequently. Social media has also been used to some extent. The use of other alternative data sets, such as geospatial data, has been analyzed infrequently. The empirical evidence suggests that alternative data can provide both explanatory and predictive benefits in credit risk management. Convergence in terms of analytical approaches and evaluation offers the potential to advance the field.