Digital inclusion extends beyond mere connectivity; it encapsulates equitable access to digital tools, capabilities to engage meaningfully, and the capacity to translate digital engagement into tangible benefits. The forthcoming theme issue seeks pioneering studies that dissect these dimensions through the dual lenses of promise and peril. While digital transformation can empower marginalized populations by enhancing healthcare delivery and social services, it also risks reinforcing entrenched inequalities if issues around gender, socioeconomic status, and local contexts are not addressed rigorously.

Central to this call for papers is innovation in measurement methodologies. Traditional metrics often fail to capture the nuanced realities of digital access in the Global South, where infrastructure disparities and cultural variables significantly influence engagement levels. Researchers are encouraged to propose novel indices, data collection instruments, and analytic frameworks that offer granular, context-sensitive insights. Such methodological refinements hold the potential to unlock a richer understanding of digital disparities and inform evidence-driven policies.

Gender remains a pivotal axis in the digital inclusion discourse. The theme issue highlights an urgent need to unpack how gender norms and intersecting social determinants shape digital agency among women and other marginalized groups. A spectrum of barriers—from limited digital literacy to restrictive socio-cultural norms—often constrains equitable participation. Simultaneously, digital platforms can serve as powerful enablers of empowerment, enabling women-led enterprises and community self-help groups to transcend geographic and economic constraints.

The transformative impact of digital innovations on health systems and livelihoods is another focal point. Digital tools—from telemedicine applications to workforce management platforms—are redefining healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings. Emphasis is placed on innovations that facilitate adoption and sustained use by frontline health workers and other key agents, particularly within marginalized communities. Understanding factors that drive or impede technology uptake is critical for optimizing health outcomes and ensuring that benefits reach those most in need.

The interplay between digital inclusion and the social determinants of health warrants critical exploration. Digital technologies intersect with education, economic opportunity, and social capital, collectively influencing health equity. Research that elucidates these complex dynamics, including investigations into policies and interventions aimed at integrating digital inclusion with broader social development strategies, is highly sought.

This thematic focus also encourages exploration of digital data innovations that enhance health informatics and surveillance while respecting privacy and ethical standards. The Global South presents unique data ecosystems, often characterized by heterogeneity and resource constraints, requiring adaptive and innovative approaches to data governance and utilization.

The issue’s transdisciplinary approach invites contributions from computer scientists, social scientists, public health experts, and policy analysts, fostering rich dialogue across academic and practical domains. This convergence is essential to address digital inclusion’s multifaceted nature and devise interventions that are culturally congruent and scalable.

Moreover, submissions discussing the unintended consequences and risks of digital expansion—such as data breaches, misinformation, and increased surveillance—are equally vital. Holistic understanding of these perils alongside opportunities will better equip stakeholders to design resilient systems responsive to diverse community needs.

Within this call, researchers are urged to engage with diverse populations and settings within the Global South, recognizing that digital inclusion is not monolithic but deeply context-dependent. Studies providing comparative analyses across regions or revealing intra-community variations will add significant value to the discourse.

By fostering a corpus of cutting-edge, evidence-based knowledge, the Journal of Medical Internet Research’s theme issue aspires to catalyze informed policy-making and implementation strategies. Ultimately, this initiative seeks to promote sustainable digital inclusion that underpins improved health outcomes and equitable development trajectories.

JMIR Publications stands at the forefront of digital health research dissemination, committed to amplifying voices and innovations that drive societal progress. Their open-access model and emphasis on open science principles ensure that findings from the Global South are accessible globally, accelerating cross-pollination of ideas and fostering global solidarity in digital health advancement.

This landmark call for papers is an invitation to scholars and practitioners committed to advancing digital inclusion with rigor and nuance. By navigating the complex interplay of access, agency, and impact, the theme issue promises to illuminate pathways toward a digitally equitable future for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

To engage with this exciting opportunity and learn more, interested authors and researchers can visit the Journal of Medical Internet Research’s official website, where submission guidelines and thematic scopes are detailed comprehensively.

Subject of Research:
Article Title:
News Publication Date: May 26, 2026
Web References: https://www.jmir.org/announcements/677
Image Credits: Credit: JMIR Publications. Source: Igor Kutyaev

Keywords:
Digital Inclusion, Global South, Digital Health, Health Systems, Gender and Technology, Digital Measurement, Health Equity, Digital Innovations, Health Workforce, Social Determinants of Health, Digital Data, Telemedicine

The surge in digital capabilities has altered the dynamics within organizations, compelling leaders to rethink their strategies and structures. As many businesses prioritize digital efficiency, there is an inherent risk of diluting the very essence of what makes organizations thrive—human connection, creativity, and collaboration. Puranam highlights this dichotomy by emphasizing the paradoxical nature of digitalization. On one hand, it holds the promise of enhanced productivity; on the other, it threatens to erode the human-centric values that define successful workplaces.

Throughout his book, Puranam elucidates the pressing need for a comprehensive roadmap that guides business leaders toward a balanced approach where technology and humanity coexist. With extensive research underpinned by concrete examples from various organizations, he offers actionable frameworks designed to help guide leaders, policymakers, and academics through the complexities of navigating the new digital landscape.

The implications of neglecting the human aspects of organizations can be dire. Puranam articulates that companies that succumb to the lure of purely algorithmic efficiency often face disengagement, high turnover, and ultimately, a decline in overall performance. This stark realization serves as a wake-up call for organizations striving for long-term success in an era dominated by technological change.

In addressing the key themes of his book, Puranam explores the necessity of creating a digital division of labor that respects human dignity. He interrogates the potential for digital tools to serve as instruments of democratization within organizational design—empowering employees rather than marginalizing them through automation. The narrative emphasizes the critical role of leadership in ensuring that technological advancements are aligned with fostering an inclusive, supportive corporate culture.

Furthermore, Puranam delves into issues of hierarchy and power dynamics within organizations. He raises vital questions about the implications of deploying digital algorithms: will they reinforce existing hierarchies or challenge them? This inquiry speaks to the broader societal implications of algorithmic governance and its effects on employee relationships and organizational efficacy.

Practical frameworks presented in RE-HUMANIZE provide guidance on how businesses can effectively integrate algorithms into their daily operations while preserving the invaluable human qualities that underpin successful collaboration. The goal is to foster an environment where advances in technology amplify, rather than replace, human potential.

In a thought-provoking statement, Puranam asserts, "Organizations are more than just systems for achieving goals—they are communities where people find meaning, connection, and purpose.” He underscores the notion that maintaining these foundational elements requires a conscious effort in the face of ongoing digital transformation. As organizations rush towards technological efficiencies, embracing strategies that prioritize human engagement will be pivotal in mitigating the risks of digital dehumanization.

By employing a holistic approach to organizational design, leaders can create environments that leverage algorithmic efficiencies while nurturing the intrinsic human qualities that inspire loyalty and innovation among employees. Puranam’s insights in RE-HUMANIZE advocate for a transformative perspective where technology is viewed not as a replacement for human ingenuity but as a catalyst for enhancing workplace experiences.

Ultimately, this book serves not only as a practical guide for leaders seeking to navigate digital transformation but also as a manifesto advocating for a model of organizational design that cherishes and preserves human-centric values. In an age increasingly shaped by algorithms, the challenge is clear: organizations must innovate while ensuring that the heart of their operations remains distinctly human.

Navigating today’s complex organizational landscape demands proactive strategies that embrace the dual imperatives of efficiency and humanity. Phanish Puranam’s RE-HUMANIZE offers valuable perspectives and frameworks that empower leaders to design organizations that thrive amid digital disruptions while remaining deeply rooted in human connection and purpose.

As organizations continue to evolve, the insights and strategies outlined in Puranam’s work will prove invaluable. This exploration of the intersection between technology and humanity provides essential guidance for leaders as they embark on the challenging journey of fostering truly human-centric organizations in a world increasingly dominated by algorithms and automation.

In conclusion, the ongoing dialogue surrounding digital transformation and human-centricity is crucial for organizations striving to achieve sustainable success. Phanish Puranam’s RE-HUMANIZE encapsulates this pressing conversation, providing comprehensive tools and frameworks to help navigate the complexities of modern organizational dynamics while reaffirming the significance of preserving the human elements that fuel creativity, collaboration, and meaning in the workplace.

Subject of Research: Human-Centric Organizational Design in the Age of Algorithms
Article Title: RE-HUMANIZE: How to Build Human-Centric Organizations in the Age of Algorithms
News Publication Date: TBD
Web References: INSEAD – Knowledge
References: Puranam, Phanish. RE-HUMANIZE: How to Build Human-Centric Organizations in the Age of Algorithms
Image Credits: INSEAD

Keywords: Digital Transformation, Human-Centric Organizations, Algorithms, Workplace Culture, Organizational Design, Leadership, Technology, Innovation, Employee Engagement, Digital Efficiency, Community, Meaning, Connection, Purpose.