Mary Beth Watson-Manheim

Mary Beth Watson-Manheim is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Managerial Studies at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), part of the College of Business Administration. She holds a Ph.D. in Information Technology Management from Georgia Institute of Technology and previously served at the University of Florida’s Warrington College of Business. Her research focuses on the societal and organizational implications of ICT-intensive work environments, virtual collaboration, and digital transformation. Watson-Manheim has held editorial roles including Senior Editor of the Information Systems Journal, and leadership positions such as Division Chair (2016-17) of the Academy of Management’s OCIS Division. She has conducted research in India as a Senior Research Scholar (2009-2010) and at the University of Muenster as a Visiting Scholar (2018-2019).

Her research interests include virtual work environments, IT-enabled organizational change, and the impact of social media and algorithmic technologies on work dynamics. Notable honors include the 2012 AIS Best Publication Award and the 2007 Distinguished Faculty Award from UIC. Watson-Manheim’s work bridges theoretical contributions with practical insights, addressing challenges in hybrid work models, ride-hailing platform impacts, and hidden work dynamics in technology-driven settings.

Her publications span journals like Management Information Systems Quarterly and Information Systems Journal, with recent articles examining AI ethics, remote work transformations, and algorithmic effects on employee relationships. She advocates for rethinking organizational assumptions in the digital age, emphasizing human-centric approaches to technological adoption.