Careers CAR

Call for Abstracts

People Analytics Symposium

Saint Louis University (SLU), St. Louis, MO 63108

February 19-20, 2016

Symposium Organizing Committee:

Matthew T. Bodie: mbodie@slu.edu

Miriam A. Cherry: mcherry3@slu.edu

Marcia McCormick: mmccor20@slu.edu

Jintong Tang: jtang3@slu.edu

            Recently, leading technology companies such as Google and IBM have started experimenting with "people analytics," a new data-driven approach to human resource management. People analytics is just one example of the new phenomenon of "big data," in which analyses of huge sets of quantitative information are used to guide a variety of different types of decisions. Applying big data to workplace situations could lead to more effective work outcomes, as in the Moneyball example, where the Oakland A's baseball franchise used statistics to assemble a winning team on a shoestring budget. 

            While people analytics has great potential, no one has yet analyzed the employment law or business ethics implications of these new technologies or practices. To date, most of the discussion centers on the uses for the data, not on its effects or interactions with the law and regulation of the workplace. Implications worthy of consideration include the intersection of big data with workplace privacy norms and equal-opportunity norms. In addition, the use of computer games and other technology to gather information raises intriguing questions, blurring the lines between work and leisure. While more and better information should lead to more merit-based decisions, disparate impact or unconscious bias could still operate to harm already marginalized workers.

This symposium seeks to help establish a foundation for further development of people analytics and its potential from a legal and ethical perspective. We hope to explore implications of these new technologies and practices, and to develop guidelines for good practices in the workplace. We encourage both scholars and practitioners to create new, or build upon existing, key debates and questions in order to generate a richer, more robust, understanding of people analytics practices. Pedagogical development related to people analytics is also welcome.

There is no registration fee, and we encourage a variety of modes of participation, from presentation of papers to the contribution of debate by taking on the role of a discussant. An abstract of up to 500 words should be submitted by 5:00 pm (Central Time), November 30, 2015 via email to Laura Bresnahan: lbresnah@slu.edu, 314-977-5198. Acceptance of abstracts will be notified by December 15, 2015. If you wish to attend the symposium, please register your interest with Laura Bresnahan as well.

Authors of papers presented at the symposium will be invited to submit full papers for possible publication in a theme issue of the Saint Louis University Law Journal. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact members of the organizing committee. Thank you!