Marketing in Service of Nature and Humanity
February 10, Virtual | February 14-16, Phoenix, AZ
The theme Marketing in Service of Nature and Humanity emphasizes the vital role of marketing in expanding traditional profit-centric models in pursuit of planetary well-being and the collective good. It also highlights the importance of inclusivity and support for the underserved and populations experiencing vulnerability at the core of marketing practices.
This broadened focus underscores the need for marketing strategies and innovative technologies that champion environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and now, more than ever, social inclusivity and support for marginalized groups. This expanded vision necessitates that marketing strategies be crafted with a profound appreciation for the varied needs and challenges encountered by diverse communities, underpinned by a dedication to cultural sensitivity, social equity and harmony, economic and social inclusivity, and collective prosperity and empowerment.
The conference, therefore, welcomes ideas and submissions from diverse theoretical and methodological perspectives, which can contribute to a more integrated and holistic approach to marketing and recognize the interconnectedness of the environment, all people, and communities and the importance of uplifting the most vulnerable among us.
Conference Co-Chairs
Linda Alkire
Texas State University
Nailya Ordabayeva
Boston University
Conference Tracks
Track Chairs:
Andre Martin
University of Notre Dame
amarti94@nd.edu
Masoud Moradi
Texas State University
m_m1358@txstate.edu
Dominik Mahr
Maastricht University
d.mahr@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Mark Steines
Maastricht University
m.steins@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Junior Track Chair
The AI and Technology Track invites academics and practitioners working on the emergent phenomena, latest theoretical/methodological advancements and practical insights in Artificial Intelligence, Virtual/Augmented Reality, Blockchain, Service Robots, Digital Voice Assistants and other topics. Given that the use of digital data and technology profoundly impacts individuals, organizations, and society, this track takes a wider perspective on marketing.
We encourage a holistic view of the organizational, policy, legal, security, ethical, and societal implications inherent in AI and Tech developments. Interdisciplinary submissions that bridge technology with fields such as psychology, sociology, environmental science, and economics are very welcome. In the spirit of the conference theme, we are particularly interested in the impact on people’s well-being, nature and underserved communities, going beyond traditional marketing outcomes. Submissions that offer insights into the real-world impact of AI and Technology, aiming to provide attendees with actionable knowledge and a better understanding of AI’s ethical dimensions, are highly valued.
Key Topics of Interest Include:
- Customer-facing AI applications such as Chatbots, Recommender Systems or Individualisation
- Virtual Reality, Spatial Computing and Augmented Reality
- Service Robots
- Managing, processing, visualizing, and analyzing AI-relevant data
- Advancements in Natural Language Processing and Text Mining
- Analytical Techniques for Image, Audio and Video Analysis
- Deep, Reinforcement, Unsupervised, Transfer and Bayesian Learning
- Responsible AI, including topics such as Data Privacy, Knowledge Security, Ethics, Bias, Fairness and Social Impact of AI/ML
- AI System Interoperability for seamless integration within enterprise systems and services.
Track Chairs:
Alexander Bleier
Frankfurt School of Finance & Management
a.bleier@fs.de
Jason Lin
Boston University
linjason@bu.edu
Junior Track Chair
The Branding and Marketing Communications track welcomes research on strategic practices and techniques employed by firms to nurture their brand identities and effectively communicate with their target audience. A special interest concerns how brands communicate, commodify, and position themselves against topics related to nature (e.g., climate change and sustainability, recycling/upcycling, minimalism, eco-friendly production and sourcing) and humanity (e.g., social responsibility, prosocial consumption, inclusivity), in an era of rapid technological advancement. We are also interested in broader research regarding strategic communications on these and other topics, for instance, from influencers, activists, or NGOs. We encourage submissions from all theoretical and methodological perspectives.
Track Chairs:
Hannah Chang
Singapore Management University
hannahchang@smu.edu.sg
John Costello
University of Notre Dame
jcostel4@nd.edu
Eda Sayin
Instituto de Empresa
Eda.Sayin@ie.edu
Amie Gustafsson
Karlstad University
amie.gustafsson@kau.se
Junior Track Chair
The Consumer Behavior track welcomes a diverse array of cutting-edge consumer research, showcasing a range of perspectives and methodologies to uncover new insights into consumer behavior.
Special considerations will be given to papers exploring the evolving landscape of consumer behavior in promoting environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusivity. We invite research that delves into the diverse needs, challenges, and aspirations of consumers from various communities, for example, those from underserved and marginalized populations. Submissions may address topics such as sustainable consumption, ethical decision-making, inclusive practices, and the impact of innovative technologies on consumer behavior, among others.
Track Chairs:
Kris Lindsey Hall
Louisiana State University
lindseyhall@lsu.edu
Melanie Moore Koskie
Louisiana Tech University
mko010@latech.edu
Junior Track Chair
Navigating the Future of Digital and Social Media Marketing
By aligning our track with our conference theme, “Marketing in Service of Nature and Humanity,” we aim to inspire a forward-thinking dialogue on how digital and social media marketing can be a powerful force for positive change. Therefore, the Digital and Social Media Marketing Track seeks to gather insights on how current digital marketing trends and technologies can be leveraged to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. Regardless of methodology, we are especially interested in research that delves into the intersection of digital marketing with social and environmental imperatives. We encourage contributions from various methodological perspectives, including conceptual, quantitative, qualitative, meta-analyses, case studies, experimental, and mixed methods, to enrich our understanding and discussion of these critical issues. Submissions may address, but are not limited to the following areas:
- The role of social media in facilitating community-driven social impact and supporting vulnerable groups.
- Innovations in digital and social media marketing that enhance cultural sensitivity, social equity, environmental consciousness, and economic inclusivity.
- Fresh research insights considering artificial intelligence and machine learning, platforms powered by blockchain, and trends in social commerce and influencer marketing.
This track offers a unique opportunity to showcase how innovative marketing strategies can not only drive business success but also contribute significantly to the betterment of society and the planet.
Track Chairs:
Shashi Matta
Catholic University of Eichstätt Ingolstadt
Shashi.Matta@ku.de
Ishita Nagpal
Georgia State University
inagpal1@gsu.edu
Junior Track Chair
The Marketing Strategy and Global Marketing track invites papers that explore the strategic aspects of marketing practices and address the challenges and opportunities in the global landscape. Consistent with the conference theme, we welcome submissions that offer insights into marketing strategies and innovative technologies that drive value creation, stakeholder engagement, customer experience excellence, and societal impact on a global scale, with a focus on marketing’s positive contributions. This expanded view highlights how crucial it is to create marketing strategies that promote inclusivity, environmental sustainability and ethical responsibility.
In addition, we encourage submissions that explore marketing practices beyond national borders, focusing on cross-cultural dynamics and international perspectives. We welcome conceptual and empirical submissions with diverse approaches that offer new perspectives and insights into marketing strategy and international marketing.
Track Chairs:
Ceren Kolsarici
Queen’s University
ceren.kolsarici@queensu.ca
Angelo Ranieri
University of Naples Federico II
angelo.ranieri2@unina.it
Junior Track Chair
In the dynamic landscape of modern business, gaining insights into diverse aspects of consumer behavior, preferences, decision-making processes, broad market trends, and stakeholder dynamics is crucial for staying ahead. Beyond conventional methodologies such as surveys and focus groups, contemporary techniques like neuro-marketing, eye-tracking, and sentiment analysis offer invaluable support in gaining insights in this regard. Organizations adept at decoding their customer base are better positioned to adapt their strategies in alignment with changing demands and expectations. Yet, it’s at the intersection of marketing research and innovation that organizations can truly unlock novel opportunities. The integration of cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Augmented Reality (AR), and Blockchain, along with their recently generative functions, presents unprecedented opportunities for researchers and practitioners to implement more impactful marketing strategies.
This track allows scholars, industry experts, and policymakers to exchange knowledge on revolutionary marketing analytics, consumer behavior insights, and the integration of nascent technologies within marketing paradigms to propel brand evolution, deepen customer connections, and establish market dominance. We welcome submissions with innovative methodologies that contribute to gathering valuable market insights and advance current discussions on the use of these technologies in marketing research and practices.
Examples of relevant topics may include:
- The harnessing of unstructured data sources for enhanced market insights
- The role of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in consumer insights
- The impact of emerging technologies (i.e. Augmented-Reality (AR), Virtual-reality (VR), Quantum Computing) on brand performance
- The impact of Generative AI on Marketing Strategies
- The use of Blockchain Technology for enhanced market research integrity
- The introduction of Neuromarketing and Eye-tracking to understand consumer emotional responses
- The ethical considerations of using AI in marketing (i.e. AI for Good, Responsible AI, and Consumer Privacy)
- The role of all emerging technologies in shaping the future of marketing research and practice.
Each of these topics is an example and not a limitation.
Track Chairs:
Sarah Koecher
Kiel University
koecher@bwl.uni-kiel.de
Allison Crick-Smith
University of South Florida
allisoncrick@usf.edu
Junior Track Chair
The Retailing and Sales track welcomes academics and practitioners interested in delving into the evolving landscape of retailing and sales, focusing on fostering sustainable and ethical practices that benefit both the planet and its inhabitants. We invite conceptual and empirical submissions that explore innovative strategies and technologies in retailing and sales that prioritize environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and inclusivity. Key areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Sustainable sales practices
- Promoting inclusive customer engagement
- The use of technology and AI for social good
- The use of AI, chatbots, and other digital technologies to enhance customer experience and customer engagement
- AI and its potential for sustainable retail and sales
- Understanding how sales and retailing can contribute to sustainable consumption behavior
- Customer engagement strategies
- Well-being of retail employees and salespeople
- Role of future retail salesperson in enhancing the customer experience
- The store of the future
- Digital sustainable consumption in e-commerce
- Consumer identity in retailing
- Brand value co-creation to reinforce digital sustainable behavior
- Role of ethical practices in retail and sales
- Cost of living crisis and the resurgence of mistrust in the retail sector
- Retail design in the brick-and-mortar and digital worlds
Track Chairs:
Sabine Benoit
Lee Kong Chian School of Business
Singapore Management University
sbenoit@smu.edu.sg
Cristina Mele
University of Naples Federico II
cristina.mele@unina.it
Wafa Hammedi
University of Namur
wafa.hammedi@unamur.be
Candice Marti
Louisiana State University
cmar243@lsu.edu
Junior Track Chair
In this track, we invite paper submissions relating to the vibrant realm of service research, exploring the nuances of customer experiences and the strategies aimed at amplifying them. With businesses acknowledging the pivotal role of customer-centric approaches, this track serves as a hub/platform for exploring groundbreaking research, innovative methodologies, and actionable insights crucial for navigating the evolving service field.
This track covers a wide range of topics related to these areas. Topics of interest for this track include, but are not limited to:
- Emerging Technologies in Service: Exploring the impact of AI, IoT, and other technologies on service provision and customer engagement.
- Omni-channel Service Strategies: Strategies to integrate multiple touchpoints for a cohesive and consistent customer experience across channels.
- Customer Experience: Novel methodologies and metrics to accurately measure and evaluate the quality of customer experiences.
- Service Design: How to create seamless and memorable service experiences and journeys.
- Service Escapes and Service ecosystems
- Frontline Employee Engagement and Service Excellence: Understanding the critical link between employee engagement, satisfaction, and delivering exceptional service.
- Cultural and Cross-cultural Perspectives in Service: Exploring how cultural factors influence service expectations, perceptions, and provision.
- Service Sustainability and Ethical Considerations: Examining the role of sustainability and ethical practices in shaping customer perceptions and loyalty.
- Service Recovery and Customer Retention: Strategies for effective service recovery to mitigate negative experiences and retain customer loyalty.
- Actors engagement: Engaging customers/ actors as co-creators in service provision to foster innovation and enhance satisfaction.
- Transformative Service Research: Service practices to foster service inclusion and to improve actors’ experiences in service ecosystems
- Customer experience and Well-being: Understanding the impact of positive and negative experiences on customers’ wellbeing.
- Future trends in the service field: Anticipating and adapting to emerging trends and disruptions shaping the future of service industries.
- Sharing and Gig Economy: Exploring the specific challenges relating to services delivered by a triangle or network of actors.
- Novel methods of investigating services: Research that develops more effective, less biased methods to investigate services.
- Frontline Employee Well-Being: Examining how company culture and policies can contribute to frontline employee well-being or lead to burnout.
Participants in this track will have the opportunity to present their research findings, share their practical experiences, and network with other academics and practitioners with shared interests. We welcome submissions of original research papers, proposals, and posters related to the theme of this track.
Track Chairs:
Julia Fehrer
University of Auckland
j.fehrer@auckland.ac.nz
Lisa Cavanaugh
University of British Columbia
lisa.cavanaugh@sauder.ubc.ca
Alessia Anzivino
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
alessia.anzivino@unicatt.it
Oscar Naranjo
Universidad de Los Andes
o.naranjodelgiudice@uniandes.edu.co
Junior Track Chair
Given the current state of the climate crisis, regional conflicts, global trade disruption, and migration phenomena worldwide, it is crucial for public and private organisations’ managers, policymakers, academics, and decision-makers to prioritise sustainability and develop policies to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This track invites research on how organisations’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives both impact and are impacted by stakeholders, including managers, consumers, employees, policymakers, academics, decision-makers and society at large. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the role of public policy and regulations in addressing SDGs; transformative service initiatives; circular economy transitions; public-private partnerships; sustainable development; income inequality; the role of entrepreneurialism, design, and (market-)shaping strategies in delivering improved sustainability outcomes; and the impact of social, racial and environmental justice on society, education, health and economic development. We encourage multidisciplinary research using a wide range of methodologies and techniques.
Track Chairs:
Rebekah Russell-Bennett
University of Canberra
Rebekah.Russell-Bennett@canberra.edu.au
Laura Hesse
University of Hamburg
Laura.Hesse@uni-hamburg.de
Junior Track Chair
The Vulnerability and Consumer Well-Being Track invites papers that provide new perspectives on addressing vulnerability in the marketplace and enhancing well-being through marketing practices. Issues such as housing crises, income and wealth inequality, discrimination, and service exclusion suggest that marketing has a lot to contribute to addressing these issues. In this track, we adopt a strengths-based approach to vulnerability, and we seek to spotlight research that explores how marketing and service research can transform designs, ecosystems, and the well-being of various actors. We encourage manuscript submissions that use a variety of methodological approaches as well as special session proposals.
Submission Types
Submission Template – Competitive Papers
Competitive paper submissions comprise completed work addressing substantive, theoretical, or methodological topics in marketing. The authors of accepted competitive papers will have 15 minutes to present their work. All competitive paper submissions must be directed to only one thematic track.
Submission of the same (or substantially overlapping) project(s) to multiple tracks is not permitted. All submissions will follow a double-anonymized process; reviewers will not know who authored the papers, nor will authors know the names of their reviewers.
Format and Style for Competitive Papers:
Prepare and submit electronic documents in PDF format.
Please include
- Title
- Short Abstract (75-100 word limit)
- Key Contributions to Academe and Practitioners (300 words)
- Manuscript Long Abstract (up to 3,000 words)
- Table or Figure (optional). Authors have the option of including one table summarizing results and/or one figure (these do not count against the word limit).
- Selected References. References also do not count against the word limit.
Please note that submissions with text longer than 3,300 words will not be reviewed.
To ensure an anonymous review, authors must avoid revealing their identities in the body or reference section of the paper. Authors should do the following:
- Do not save the file with author-identifying information in the file name.
- Do not include a front page with author-identifying information.
- Remove the author-identifying information from the document’s file properties.
Confirmation that your paper was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter. At least one author of each accepted competitive paper must agree to register and present the research at the conference. Authors of accepted competitive papers also have the option of publishing either a long abstract or a full paper in the conference proceedings.
Choosing to publish a Long Abstract gives authors the option to submit the paper elsewhere for publication after the conference.
Submission Template – Poster Presentation
Poster submissions comprise research in working (intermediate or early) stages. These projects typically present partial results and describe ongoing work on substantive, theoretical, or methodological topics in marketing that is not necessarily ready for submission to a journal. All poster abstract submissions must be directed to only one thematic track.
Submission of the same (or substantially overlapping) project(s) to multiple tracks is not permitted. All submissions will be reviewed in a double-anonymized process; reviewers will not know who authored the papers, nor will authors know the names of their reviewers.
Format and Submission Process for Posters:
Prepare and submit electronic documents in PDF format. Please include
- Title
- Short Abstract (75-100 word limit)
- Key Contributions to academe and practitioners (300 words)
- Long Abstract (up to 1,000 words),
- Table or Figure (optional). Authors have the option of including one table summarizing results and/or one figure (these do not count against the word limit).
- Selected References. References also do not count against the word limit.
Please note that submissions with text longer than 1,300 words will not be reviewed.
To ensure an anonymous review, authors must avoid revealing their identities in the body or reference section of the paper. Authors should do the following:
- Do not save the file with author-identifying information in the file name.
- Do not include a front page with author-identifying information.
- Remove the author-identifying information from the document’s file properties
Confirmation that your abstract was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter.
At least one author of each accepted poster must agree to register for the conference, prepare a poster for display during the poster session, and be available to discuss the research and answer questions at the poster session. Note that posters will NOT be included in the conference proceedings.
Submission Template – Special Session
Anyone may organize and propose a special session, although those who are unfamiliar with AMA conference special sessions are encouraged to discuss their ideas with the conference co-chairs or track co-chairs for developmental feedback before submitting a proposal. Special sessions provide a good vehicle to acquaint marketing academics with new perspectives, theories, and provocative ideas to bring diverse participants together around a common theme or to integrate academically-minded practitioners into the conference. Sessions involving participants from multiple countries, focusing on theory development or cutting-edge research directions, and offering insights regarding academic-business partnerships for research or teaching are particularly encouraged.
Special sessions should feature three or four presentations on a related theme. Another possibility is an interactive panel discussion among four to six panelists and a moderator. Other creative special session formats are encouraged, particularly those that generate attendee interaction.
All special session proposal submissions must be directed to only one thematic track. Proposals for special sessions should describe the topic and its importance to marketing, summarize the issues to be covered, and identify all individuals (with their qualifications) who will formally participate. Special session proposals should provide specificity regarding the purpose, format, participants, and roles in the session. AMA Academic Special Interest Groups (SIGs) may propose special sessions to the SIG Programming track.
Selection criteria include the quality of the proposal, the level of interest the session is likely to generate at the conference, and the session’s relevance to the conference theme.
By submitting a special session proposal, the organizer and listed participants affirm that, if accepted, all will register for and appear at the conference as described in the proposal.
Format and Submission Process for Special Sessions:
Prepare and submit an extended abstract in PDF format. Special session proposals must include:
- Title
- Short Abstract (75-100 word limit)
- Session Proposal (up to 1,000 words)
- Long Abstract of Each Paper (up to 1,000 words each)
- Table or Figure (optional)
- Selected References
The session proposal (up to 1,000 words) should describe the objective of the session, its structure and general orientation, likely audience, key issues, and topics to be covered, as well as why the session is likely to make an important contribution to the discipline. Also, include a brief description of each paper in the session.
The text of the special session proposal submission must not exceed 4,000 words (for sessions containing 3 papers) or 5,000 words (for sessions containing 4 papers) and should be submitted in the double-spaced format, prepared in 12-point font.
Please note that longer submissions will not be reviewed.
Due to the unique nature of special sessions, presenter names and information should be included in the proposal and will be noted during the review process.
Confirmation that your proposal was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter. Special session participants are all expected to register and present their work at the conference.
Submission Template – Flash Talks
Flash talk submissions comprise work showcasing effects-based research that has the potential to spearhead significant future research in marketing. The authors of accepted flash talks will have 5 minutes to present their work and will need to include only the most impactful data (e.g., one study) demonstrating the phenomenon. All flash talk submissions must be directed to only one thematic track.
Submission of the same (or substantially overlapping) project(s) to multiple tracks is not permitted. All submissions will be reviewed in a double-anonymized process; reviewers will not know who authored the papers, nor will authors know the names of their reviewers.
Format and Style for Flash Talks:
Prepare and submit electronic documents in PDF format. Please include:
- Title
- Short Abstract (75-100 word limit)
- Key Contributions to Academe and Practitioners (300 words)
- Long Abstract (up to 2,000 words)
- Table or Figure (optional). Authors have the option of including one table summarizing results and/or one figure (these do not count against the word limit).
- Selected References. References also do not count against the word limit.
Please note that submissions with text longer than 2,300 words will not be reviewed.
To ensure an anonymous review, authors must avoid revealing their identities in the body or reference section of the paper. Authors should do the following:
- Do not save the file with author-identifying information in the file name.
- Do not include a front page with author-identifying information.
- Remove the author-identifying information from the document’s file properties.
Confirmation that your paper was submitted successfully will be sent via email to the submitter.
At least one author of each accepted Flash Talk must agree to register and present the research at the conference. Note that flash talks will NOT be included in the conference proceedings.
How Do I Submit My Paper?
All submissions should be made electronically via the AMA’s online submission management system (Ex Ordo). If you have submitted to an AMA academic conference in the last year, you should be able to use the same username and password. The deadline for submission was Wednesday, September 11, 2024.
Important Dates
- Call for Papers Due: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
- Accept/Reject Notifications Sent: Mid/Late November
- Event Super Early-Bird Registration: May 7, 2024
- Event Early-Bird Registration: January 15, 2025
Code of Ethics
Authors submitting papers to American Marketing Association academic conferences must adhere to the following code of ethics:
- Submission of the same (or substantially overlapping) manuscript, panel proposal, or working paper abstract to multiple themes is not permitted.
- Submitting authors should specify who will present papers being considered for Panels or Competitive Paper presentations. An author can be listed as a presenter for no more than two submissions but can be listed as the co-author of multiple submissions. This restriction is to encourage authors to submit their best work and to allow a wider range of presenters.
- Submissions should not already be published in any journal or publication (including online journals, books, and book chapters). Submitting authors should monitor this issue carefully.
- Competitive Paper and Poster submissions should not include content that has been presented at earlier AMA conferences.