Jing Wang is a Professor of Decision Sciences at the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, University of New Hampshire. Her research focuses on the areas of IT Outsourcing, Open-Source Software, information technology adoption and use, privacy, and data security. Her work has been published in the Journal of Management Information Systems, the Decision Support Systems Journal, Journal of Strategic Information Systems, Journal of Business Research, and Journal of Information Systems.
Valentina Bulava from the Center for Business Analytics speaks to Professor Wang about her experience, thoughts on ethical implications of AI use and data security.
Contributions to the upcoming Business Analytics Conference (Fall 2023)
In October 2023, an exciting two-day conference will be held at Paul College, UNH, combining the Business Analytics Conference 2023 with the New England Association for Information Systems (NEAIS) Annual Conference. “NEAIS is a Chapter of the Association for Information Systems (AIS), the largest association in the information systems field. In this year’s NEAIS Conference, we have invited academic and industry experts in the Information Systems’ field to shed light on the theme of Sustainability in the Age of AI and Digital Transformation,” says Professor Wang. She is currently serving as the NEAIS conference chair. Her primary role entails ensuring the seamless execution of the conference, and she and her team will be working closely with the Center for Business Analytics to make this event a resounding success.
Interests in collaboration with the Center for Business Analytics clients
When it comes to her work, Jing Wang agrees data security and information system management is relevant to all industries; so, her interest lies not within the specific area but rather the type of the project. She deals with big data, and if companies have large datasets, she is interested in studying the impact of technology on consumers' behavior.
Jing Wang shares that many candidates she spoke to during recruiting trips and conferences last year expressed an interest in publications and showcasing their work, but they also value the opportunity to work with real companies and improve their business. They are committed to maintaining the anonymity of the companies they work with.
She says: “I am aware that the center is currently working on projects with several companies, and our undergraduate and graduate students are doing an excellent job. However, I believe that the expertise of our faculty members, especially those on tenure track, is crucial. They are at the forefront of the latest methodologies and can make significant contributions to these projects.”
Jing Wang believes that effective communication and transparency are key. Faculty members need to be aware of the projects and opportunities to determine if they align with their interests and priorities. This way stronger partnerships can be established with more effective plan of action.
“Thank you for spearheading this initiative. It has the potential to greatly benefit the faculty and the center as a whole,” Jing adds.
Data Security and open-source software, common misconceptions in the field.
The importance of information security is currently a major topic of discussion. Specifically, the issues surrounding information security and personal privacy have gained significant attention. The adoption of artificial intelligence also plays a significant role in these concerns. As AI continues to advance, it raises questions about the impact it will have on our jobs and privacy. Ethical considerations also come into play when determining the limits of AI adoption.
Professor Wang shares her thoughts on the need for education and awareness about the potential risks involved. She adds that many individuals are unaware of the potential consequences of sharing personal information, even in seemingly harmless situations like online chat rooms with Chat GPT or other AI tools. It is crucial for both individuals and companies to be educated and implement effective policies and procedures to protect themselves and their data. With the growing interest in this research, there is a strong desire to address these challenges and find solutions.
In her courses Jing Wang provides her students with information on industry frameworks and compliance issues related to security. Additionally, she has been involved in research on security, particularly on the internet and information assets of small and medium-sized companies.
“It seems that many people believe that network security is solely a technology issue, something beyond their control and not relevant to them,” shares Professor Wang. She often saw that users and/or employees think it is the company's responsibility to safeguard against security threats. However, research consistently shows that people are actually the weakest link in terms of security vulnerabilities. So, it is crucial to involve and educate individuals in order to combat these security risks. Providing them with reliable resources and information is key.
Truly, while technology is undoubtedly important, it is worth noting that most data breaches occur due to human error, not solely because of technology.
Essential skills and knowledge for success in business intelligence and database management fields.
Jing Wang says that the skillset required in these fields can vary depending on the individual's background. In her courses, she needs to cater to both business-oriented students and those interested in analytics. She notices that one common misconception among analytics students is that they will mainly be applying statistical or machine learning techniques to data. However, they often overlook the fact that a significant portion of a data analyst's time is spent on data preparation. It is crucial to emphasize the importance of skills such as data storage, data wrangling, and web scraping for collecting data. Understanding different types of databases and knowing which type of data fits each one is also essential. To enhance her students' competitiveness in the job market, Jing has collaborated with the Center of Business Analytics to grant her undergraduate and graduate students access and provide them with firsthand experience in working with AWS's diverse technology platforms.
Overall, Professor Wang’s goal is to help students understand the practical aspects of working with data, including extracting and cleaning it, which will prepare them for future career opportunities.
Balancing data-driven decisions with ethical considerations.
Jing emphasizes that ethics can vary among individuals and age groups, especially in an environment where technology collects our data without our knowledge. Some people are more willing to share their data freely. However, it is important to have a basic level of ethical behavior and comply with legal requirements. Transparency is crucial as well. While collecting data can benefit a company, it's essential to find a balance and ensure the way data is collected and used is legal and transparent to users. Users should be informed and have control over their data. Transparency and user-friendly communication are key to educating users about data collection.
“We should make it easier for users to understand and control their data. The responsibility falls on both companies and users. Privacy policies should be presented in a more accessible way.”
Learn more about the Business Analytics Conference: https://paulcollege.unh.edu/center-business-analytics/business-analytic…
