The big data and digital economy conference at Surrey Business School

The conference took place at the University’s Stag Hill campus from 18th-20th April and clarified the importance of digital contexts and big data for creating and capturing value in both businesses and society.

Sponsors included Google Cloud Platform, Tableau, RAE (Journal of Business Management), The MIT Press and SAGE Ocean.

Big data and digital technologies hugely impact the modern workplace and stimulate the evolution of new forms of management. The conference featured scholars advancing this rapidly evolving field and helped delegates to explore how big data and digital technologies are changing the world we live in and the ways in which we work.

From research to best practices, this three-day conference featured a comprehensive programme of presentations, active learning workshops and lively panel discussions that provided key learning and networking opportunities. Events concentrated on a range of exciting topics focusing on the management of big data, algorithmic decision-making, platform openness and control, and the nature of work in the digital economy.

The conference keynote speakers are all experts in their field. Paul Y Mang is Senior Advisor at Aon, Cassie Kozyrkov is Chief Decision Intelligence Engineer at Google and Nuria Oliver is Director of Research in Data Science at Vodaphone. In addition to the three-day programme, a conference Gala Dinner also took place on 19th April, hosted in the spectacular Guildford Cathedral.

The series of AoM Specialised Conferences was launched in response to members’ continued desire to participate in cross-disciplinary and geographically diverse events that allow for deep dialogue and interactions through highly-focused gatherings. 'Big Data and Managing in a Digital Economy' is the first conference organised under this member-driven initiative.

As part of the University, the Surrey Business School invest in pioneering research to deliver business-ready solutions that offer lasting impact in the world. They are dedicated to improving business practice and creating sustainable, positive change while inspiring others to do the same. Their pioneering research stems from real world business application, connected with the latest industry developments.

Professor Max Lu, Vice Chancellor at the University of Surrey, gave a welcome speech at the conference on 19th April. He said: “The conference’s theme, ‘Big Data and Managing in a Digital Economy’ looks to the important changes that technology brings to our lives and our organisations. This conference presents a rare and valuable opportunity to not only catch a glimpse of the future of data and management, but also to shape it.”

Ansgar Richter, Dean of Surrey Business School, said: “We are very excited to be hosting such a prestigious event in partnership with the Academy of Management. Through collaboration with the wider university and our worldwide partners, we will be addressing key global challenges throughout the three days, such as the governance of digital platforms, the meaning of work in digital organisations, and employee well-being in the digital economy. There will be plenty of opportunities for collaboration and shared learning among the delegates from around the world.”