Workshops

SaudiCIS 2026 Workshops (Registration Required)

Thank you for your interest in attending our conference. Here is a list of all workshops presented across the conference days. Due to limited capacity, we kindly ask you to register for one workshop only. Registration will close once the maximum number of attendees is reached. Those who attend the full duration of a workshop will receive a certificate of attendance.

If you are presenting your paper at the conference, please refer to the program schedule prior to registration in the workshops.

Conference Program Co-Chairs

Workshop 1

Econometric Methods for Causal Inference

Sunday, 18 October 2026 09:00 – 12:00 Room C Registration required

About the workshop

This workshop, "Econometric Methods for Causal Inference," introduces the core logic and toolkit researchers use to separate causation from correlation in answering empirical research questions. Starting from the fundamental problem of causal inference—that we never observe the same unit both treated and untreated—the session builds up the identification challenges posed by endogeneity, before walking through the four main workhorse designs: randomized control trials, instrumental variables, difference-in-differences, and regression discontinuity. Throughout, the emphasis is on research design and identification strategy rather than mechanical estimation, with worked examples illustrating how each method isolates exogenous variation. The workshop is aimed at researchers and practitioners across business, economics, and the social sciences who want a rigorous but accessible grounding in modern causal inference methods.

Presenter

Dhari Alrasheed

Assistant Professor of Economics

College of Business Administration, Kuwait University

Dr Alrasheed’s research spans two fields. The first is urban economics, studying topics related to housing, land use, spatial segregation and inequality, transportation, and social capital. The second is applied econometrics, with emphasis on discrete choice modeling, Bayesian simulation methods, and spatial econometrics. Since joining KU in 2018, he has taught introductory and advanced courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He holds a PhD (2018) and MA (2015) in economics from the University of California, Irvine, as well as a MSc (2007) and BSc (2005) in mechanical engineering from Oregon State University.

Workshop 2

Introduction to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA)

Sunday, 18 October 2026 09:00 – 12:00 Room D Registration required

About the workshop

The workshop starts with an introduction on diverse notions of causality that are embraced by information systems researchers. A key focus will be on Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), an emerging approach which integrates the strengths of case-oriented qualitative methods and variable-oriented quantitative methods. The workshop gives an opportunity for researchers to expand their toolkit and adopt an inclusive and open-minded attitude toward scholarship to engage with complex and messy problems where no single approach is likely to serve as a silver-bullet in a large program of research. The workshop intends to spark new ideas and discussions, encouraging a rigorous approach to tackling challenging issues in information systems research. The sessions will be designed to cater to a diverse range of participants, ensuring that both experienced and novice researchers find value and learning opportunities.

Workshop format

The tentative structure of the workshop consists of the following topics:

A brief history and overview of different types of causality. The configurational approach as a solution for problems of “organized complexity”, configurational approach vs. other approaches toward causality such as path analytic, and potential outcomes approaches (Mithas et al., 2022).
Introduction to QCA and set theoretic methods, key steps and issues in QCA analysis: fuzzy-set QCA (fsQCA), crisp-set QCA (csQCA), necessary and sufficient condition in fuzzy sets, set calibration, truth table analysis, and solution minimization.
QCA topics for IS research and discussion of common issues and questions that researchers face.
Quick introduction to R (for those unfamiliar with the language) and how to use the QCA package in R using the command-line mode and graphical user interface.
Practical Demonstration and hands-on exercises: a step-by-step demonstration of using the QCA package including data preparation, truth table analysis, solution minimization, result interpretation, and result visualization. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to apply these techniques to real-world datasets, facilitating practical understanding and skill development.

References

Mithas, S., Xue, L., Huang, N., & Burton-Jones, A. (2022). Editor’s Comments: Causality Meets Diversity in Information Systems Research. MIS Quarterly, 46(3), iii-xviii.

Presenter

Salman Aljazzaf

Assistant Professor of Information Systems

College of Business Administration, Kuwait University

Dr Aljazzaf’s research examines how organizations create business value from information technology, with a focus on IT governance, digital platforms, e-government, and digital transformation. His work has appeared in journals such as Government Information Quarterly and Transforming Government, and been presented at leading academic conferences including the Academy of Management and the Americas Conference on Information Systems.

Dr. Aljazzaf earned his Ph.D. and MBA from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park, and his B.Sc. in Computer Engineering from Kuwait University. Prior to academia, he worked as a network and telecommunications engineer for about six years at Kuwait National Petroleum Company. He has also been featured multiple times as a guest on Kuwait TV and Kuwait Radio to discuss topics related to artificial intelligence and the digital economy.

Workshop 3

Critical Qualitative Methodologies

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 08:30 – 09:30 Room A Registration required

About the workshop

This workshop introduces qualitative critical methodology as a reflexive, power-aware approach to researching information systems and organisations. It will explore foundational concepts such as critique, ideology, emancipation, and praxis, and examine how critical perspectives challenge taken-for-granted assumptions in IS research. The session covers key methods including critical discourse analysis, participatory action research, and critical ethnography and discusses their application to topics like AI governance, digital labour, and algorithmic management. Through examples and discussion, you will learn to design critically oriented studies that interrogate power, inequality, and transformation in sociotechnical contexts.

Presenter

Amany Elbanna

Professor of Information Systems and Digital Transformation

University of Sussex Business School, UK

Dr Elbanna has published over 120 articles in leading journals and conferences, including MIS Quarterly, European Journal of Information Systems, and Journal of Information Technology. Her service includes ICIS 2026 Program Chair, IFIP 8.6 2025 Conference Chair, Chair of ECIS Doctoral Consortium, Chair of ECIS Junior Faculty Consortium and editorial roles at ISR, ISJ, I&M, and IT&P. She received the AIS Distinguished Member Cum Laude (2022) and IFIP Service Award (2020). Her research focuses on digital transformation and systems implementation, AI in business, and the changing nature of work and organising and is featured in The Financial Times and Computer Weekly among other media outlets. She is a past Director-elect of Professional Development of UK-Association of Change Management Professionals.

Workshop 4

Teaching Digital and Data Skills for the Workplace

Tuesday, 20 October 2026 13:30 – 15:00 Room A Registration required

About the workshop

This hands-on workshop explores practical ways to teach digital and data skills that prepare students for the workplace. Participants will experience interactive activities covering Microsoft 365, data analytics, AI and prompting, while exploring how skills can be assessed and recognised through digital credentials.

This workshop is organized and sponsored by McGraw Hill.

Presenter

Mohamed Shokry

Head of Customer Success for the Middle East and Africa

McGraw Hill

Mr. Shokry is currently serving as the Head of Customer Success for the Middle East and Africa at McGraw Hill bringing more than 14 years of experience across education, customer success, training and digital transformation.

Throughout his career, Mohamed has worked closely with higher education institutions, corporate clients and cross-functional teams to improve digital adoption, learner engagement and customer outcomes. At McGraw Hill, he leads customer success strategy across the region, supporting institutions in the effective use of digital learning solutions and using data and analytics to drive engagement and adoption.

A skilled facilitator and trainer, Mohamed has extensive experience delivering interactive workshops and professional development sessions. He holds an MBA with Distinction from the University of Birmingham.

Workshop 5

Scale Development, Validation, and Advanced Analytical Methods in Behavioral IS Research

Wednesday, 21 October 2026 10:00 – 10:50 Room A Registration required

About the workshop

This focused one-hour workshop introduces the essential principles of measurement-scale development and validation in behavioral Information Systems research. Using the Investment Strategies Scale as an illustrative case, it provides a concise overview of construct conceptualization, item development, content validity, reliability, exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling. The session emphasizes practical decisions that strengthen methodological rigor and support publication-quality research.

Participants will be able to:

Outline the main stages of scale development and validation.
Identify appropriate procedures for assessing reliability and validity.
Understand how EFA, CFA, and SEM can be integrated within an analytical workflow.
Recognize key reporting practices for rigorous, publication-quality research.

Presenter

Ibrahim Arpaci

Research Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Korea University, Seoul, South Korea

Ibrahim Arpaci is a professor internationally recognized for his substantial contributions to Information Systems. He earned his Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in Information Systems from Middle East Technical University. Since 2024, he has been serving as a Research Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Korea University, ranked 54th in the QS World University Rankings, in Seoul, South Korea. His research interests include information systems, human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, and cyberpsychology. He has authored more than 100 publications in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and books. From 2019 to 2025, Stanford University consistently ranked him among the top 2% of the world's most influential scientists.

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6513-4569