CALL FOR CHAPTER PROPOSALS

Examining the Current State and Future Prospects of Online Social Networks

A book edited by Dr. Anas Aloudat1, Dr. Mutaz M. Al-Debei1, and Dr. Omar Al-Hujran2
The University of Jordan, Jordan1, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan2

To be published by IGI Global

Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline: 15 February 2013
Full Chapter Submission Deadline: 15 May 2013

Introduction
Since its introduction, the Internet has enabled entirely new forms of social interactions thanks to its basic features such as widespread usability and global access. Social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace have created new ways to converse, interact, and socialize. Users of these sites are able to add a wide variety of information to pages, pursue common interests, and connect with others. It is also possible to find existing acquaintances and to allow communication among existing groups of people. Sites like LinkedIn foster commercial and business connections. YouTube and Flickr specialize in users' videos and photographs respectively, just to mention a few examples.

In addition to Online Social Networks (OSN), Recent rapid advances in mobile networks and telecommunications have introduced Mobile Social Networks (MSN) as an interesting topic to the research community, one that has started to receive much attention from practitioners, scholars, and the general public. A mobile social network can be described as a platform that provides services via handheld and wireless devices, mainly for the purpose of fostering and maintaining social interactions and connections. Therefore, an MSN can be considered a form of social network where services are provided with mobility as an added value. Thanks to mobility, many emergent applications related to social networking are now available for individuals, business enterprises, and governments.

This convergence between mobile technology and social networks has its own implications for theory and practice. From a theoretical perspective, new research domains have emerged tackling mobile social networking from technological, social, behavioral, legal, and ethical standpoints. From a practical perspective, one can notice new forms of collaboration, such as the one between mobile network operators and social networking sites to offer new innovative services. Moreover, new opportunities are now available to individuals, business organizations, and governments, such as location-based services and early warning systems in crisis management. Indeed, these implications call for an urgent attention to further investigate all related and significant issues to OSN and MSN so as to advance our understanding and knowledge in this context.

Objective of the Book
1- To stand on the current state and practice in online social networks.
2- To advance understanding and extend the current body of knowledge with respect to online social networks.
3- To explore future prospects, opportunities, and uses of online social networks.
4- To discuss online social networks’ limitations and challenges.
5- To present case studies and applications highlighting practical experience related to online social networks.

Target Audience
This book will be of particular value to academics, researchers, practitioners, government officials, and business organizations (e.g., executives, marketing professionals, resource managers, etc.)—and even customers—working, participating, or interested in fields related to social networks. The content of the book will be especially useful for students in areas like Social Media, Informatics, and Administrative Sciences and Management, but also applies to students of education, economy, or law, who would benefit from the information, cases, and examples therein.

Recommended topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
Part I: The current state of Mobile Social Networks
1- Online social networks: Requirements, success factors, and best practices.
2- Online social networks: Strategies, methodologies, and frameworks.
3- Online social networks: Limitations, challenges, and opportunities.
4- Information Systems (IS) theories and Online social networks.

Part II: Technological perspectives
1- ICT infrastructure for online social networks.
2- Engineering of online social networks.
3- Online social networks analytics.
4- New architectures for online social networks.

Part III: Applications
1- Online social networking in marketing.
2- Online social networks and knowledge management.
3- Online social networks and e-learning.
4- Online social networks and e-government.
5- Online social networks and crisis management.
6- Location-aware applications and services.
7- Social commerce.

Part IV: Considerations in mobile social networks
1- Social and behavioral considerations.
2- Cultural issues in mobile social networks.
3- Governance and managerial issues.
4- Political considerations.
5- Security, privacy, and trust.
6- Ethical and legal consideration.
7- Quality of online social networks.
8- Paradoxes in online social networks.
9- Human-computer interaction and online social networks.


Submission Procedure
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit on February 15, 2013, a 2-3 page chapter proposal clearly explaining the mission and concerns of his or her proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by March 5, 2013 about the status of their proposals and sent chapter guidelines. Full chapters are expected to be submitted by May 15, 2013. All submitted chapters will be reviewed on a double-blind review basis. Contributors may also be requested to serve as reviewers for this project.

Publisher
This book is scheduled to be 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 www.igi-global.com. This book is anticipated to be released in 2014.

Important Dates
Proposal Submission Deadline: 15 February 2013 (about 2 pages – 1000 words)
Notification of Acceptance: 5 March 2013
Full Chapter Submission: 15 May 2013
Review Results Returned: 15 July 2013
Final Chapter Submission: 15 September 2013

Inquiries and submissions can be forwarded electronically (Word document) or by mail to:
Dr. Anas Aloudat
The University of Jordan, Jordan
a.aloudat@ju.edu.jo

Dr. Mutaz M. Al-Debei
The University of Jordan, Jordan
m.aldebei@ju.edu.jo

Dr. Omar Al-Hujran
Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Jordan
o.hujran@psut.edu.jo