From the Editors

Abstract

For our second issue for the year, we are pleased to provide a special issue on New Business Models for Electronic Commerce guest edited by Matti Rossi, Timo Saarinen, and Virpi Kristiina Tuunainen from the Helsinki School of Economics. This special issue represents the completion of yet another project originally initiated by the previous editors. It demonstrates that considerable effort and time is required on the part of the guest editors before a special issue finally reaches publication. Yet the sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and opportunity to interact with researchers interested in the same domain of research cannot be underestimated. This naturally leads to the question as to how special issues come about and how guest editors are selected. You may be surprise to learn that there is no formal process. Rather, it can be as simple as walking up to either of us at a conference and presenting an idea. But the requirements are clear. In addition to the specific topic, a well thought out plan eventually should be provided to us with a timeline starting from the initial call for papers to completed papers with a forecast of the number of papers that you anticipate will be submitted. A sample call for papers should be created along with a plan as to the activities and strategies you will employ to ensure receiving a good set of interesting quality papers as well as a rigorous efficient review process. Strong proposals often provide a list of researchers who have indicated they would submit papers if the special issue goes forward. Of course, this implies that the guest editors have contacted and tentatively received such commitments. Ensuring the quality of the paper review process is high also involves some forethought. As in the case of article submissions, obtaining a priori agreement from respected researchers to serve as reviewers with an understanding as to the procedures gives us confidence that a quick quality turnaround will occur. In general, we expect the number of papers submitted to range anywhere from a dozen to 25. In the past, we've seen as many as 40 initially screened. Needless to say, what we don't wish to see is an attempt to use this journal as a venue solely for a small set of papers literally taken verbatim from a mini- track presented at a conference. While such papers may be considered as part of the initial set, we expect each of these papers would be further developed either empirically or theoretically to ensure an adequate level of quality prior to submission. Finally, we can also consider creating special section as an option for a particular issue. This occurs under situations where only a few high quality papers are expected to be submitted, but will be of strong impact in our field. Therefore, the next time you come up with a "Eureka" of an idea and see us at a conference don't hesitate to approach us.