Dr. Sam Zaza is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and Analytics in the Jones College of Business at Middle Tennessee State University. Her research examines digital transformation and emerging technologies, the changing nature of work, IT and cybersecurity careers, workforce development, and digital inclusion. Her work has been published in leading information systems journals, including MIS Quarterly, Information Systems Journal, Information & Management, Information & Organization, and Communications of the Association for Information Systems. Her teaching focuses on cybersecurity and information systems, with an emphasis on preparing students for the evolving technological and organizational landscape.

Dr. Zaza contributes extensively to editorial leadership and scholarly service within the information systems discipline. She serves as Director of Replication Studies for Communications of the Association for Information Systems (CAIS) and holds Associate Editor and Senior Editor roles with Information Systems Journal, European Journal of Information Systems, The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, and Communications of the Association for Information Systems. Her editorial work reflects her commitment to rigorous scholarship, high-quality peer review, and the advancement of information systems research.

At MTSU, Dr. Zaza currently serves as Faculty Fellow for Innovation and has held university-level leadership roles supporting strategic planning, innovation, and interdisciplinary initiatives. She is the founder and lead organizer of MTSU's Tech Vision conference, an industry-facing initiative that brings together students, faculty, technology professionals, government leaders, and community partners to explore emerging technologies, workforce needs, and opportunities for collaboration. A central focus of her work is strengthening connections between academia and practice and creating meaningful opportunities for students to engage with industry. Her contributions to the university and broader community have been recognized through awards, including MTSU's Outstanding Public Service Award.

Dr. Zaza has an extensive record of disciplinary, professional, and community leadership. Within the Association for Information Systems, she contributes to conference leadership, mentoring, professional development, and other initiatives that support the information systems community. Regionally, she serves in leadership and board roles with ISSA Middle Tennessee, Women in Technology of Tennessee, Rutherford CABLE, and the Murfreesboro Technology Council. She also serves as President-Elect of AAUW of Tennessee. Across her academic and professional activities, Dr. Zaza is committed to strengthening connections among higher education, industry, and the broader community while advancing opportunities for students and the technology workforce.

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1.             Moqbel, M., Bartelt, V. L., Riemenschneider, C. K., Albizri, A., & Zaza, S. (2026). Social Media Engagement and Resource Gain Spirals: A Mixed-Methods Study of Digital Empowerment Among Marginalized Caregivers. Information & Management, 104371.

2.             Zaza, S., AlHasan, A., Deng, X. N., & Armstrong, D. J. (2026). What Motivates First-generation College Students to Consider an IT Career? A Replication Study in Kuwait. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 58(1), 100.

3.             Zaza, S., Young, D., & Armstrong, D. (2026). The Development of the Perceived Distinctiveness Antecedent of Information Systems Professional Identity: A Conceptual Replication of Study 2 Focusing on Technical Information Systems Professionals. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 58(1), 25.

4.             Bayrak, R., Arik, M., Guler, M., & Zaza, S. (2025). Integrating Cognitive, Emotional, and Informational Predictors of Pro-Environmental Behavior. Journal of Applied Business and Economics.

5.             Eom, M., Zaza, S., & Erskine, M. (2024). Overcoming IT Project Challenges: An Integrated Model of Characteristics, Leadership, and Complexity. Information Systems Management, 1-25.

6.             Zaza, S., & Erskine, M. (2024). Thriving with Remote Work During a Crisis: Effects of a Mandatory Technology-mediated Work Environment on Job Outcomes. AIS Transactions on Human-Computer Interaction, 16(2), 1-29.

7.             Nguyen, H. T. T., Tapanainen, T., Zaza, S., & Huvila, I. (2024). Antecedents of Perceived Usefulness (PU) and Perceived Ease-of-Use (PEOU) in the Heuristic-Systematic Model: The Context of Online Diabetes Risk Test. Journal of Information Technology Applications and Management, 31(5), 17-39.

8.             Zaza, S., Joseph, D., & Armstrong, D. (2023). Are IT Professionals Unique? A Second Order Meta-Analytic Comparison of Turnover Intentions Across Occupations. MIS Quarterly, 47(3), 1213-1238.

9.             Marabelli, M., Zaza, S., Maseiro, S., Chudoba, K., & Jingyao, L. (2023). Diversity and Inclusion and AIS: Current Challenges and Future Opportunities of Hybrid Conferences. Information Systems Journal, 33(6), 1370-1395.

10.         Schuberth, F., Hubona, G., Roemer, E., Zaza, S., Chuah, F., Cepeda-Carrion, G., & Henseler, J. (2023). The Choice of Structural Equation Modeling Technique Matters: A Comment on Dash and Paul (2021). Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 194, 122665.

11.         Schuberth, F., Zaza, S., & Henseler, J. (2023). Partial Least Squares as an Estimator for Structural Equation Models: A Comment on Evermann and Rönkkö (2021). Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 52(1), 711-714.

12.         Brooks, S., Zaza, S., Erskine, M., & Greer, T. (2023). IT Professionals' Turnaway Intention and the Role of Technostress. The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, 54(2), 97-110.

13.         Deng, X., Zaza, S., & Armstrong, D. J. (2023). What Motivates First-generation College Students to Consider an IT Career? An Integrative Perspective. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 52.

14.         Zaza, S., Erskine, M., Bartelt, V., & Armstrong, D. J. (2023). Mental Health and Information Technology Catalysts as Determinants of Innovative Work Behavior. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 52(1), 6.

15.         Totty, S., Zaza, S., Greer, T., & Korzaan, M. (2023). How Firms Can Impact IT Project Continuation Intentions: A Human Capital Perspective. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research, 16(2).

16.         Zaza, S., Armstrong, D. J., & Riemenschneider, C. K. (2022). The Influence of Psychological Contracts and Burnout on IT Professionals' Turnover and Turnaway Intention. Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 50(1), 27.

17.         Zaza, S., & Erskine, M. A. (2022). Economic Conditions as an Environmental Moderator of E-purchase Intention: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations, 20(1), 1-20.

18.         Zaza, S., Junglas, I., & Armstrong, D. J. (2021). Who Needs the Help Desk? Tackling One's Own Technological Problem via Self IT Service. Information & Organization, 31(3), 100367.

19.         Zaza, S., Armstrong, D. J., & Riemenschneider, C. K. (2021). The Drivers and Effects of Burnout Within an Information Technology Work Context: A Job Demands-Resources Framework. Information Technology & People, 35(7), 2288-2313.

20.         Yu, X., Zaza, S., Schuberth, F., & Henseler, J. (2021). Representing Forged Concepts as Emergent Variables Using Composite-Based Structural Equation Modeling. The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, 52(SI), 114-130.

21.         Zaza, S., Abston, K., Arik, M., Geho, P., & Sanchez, V. (2020). What CEOs Have to Say: Insights on the STEM Workforce. American Business Review, 23(1), 9.

22.         Zaza, S., Erskine, M., Brooks, S., & Morris, S. (2020). Emotional Dissonance and the Information Technology Professional: A Methodological Replication Study. AIS Transactions on Replication Research, 6(1), 19.

23.         Erskine, M., Zaza, S., Brooks, S., & Seipel, S. (2020). Exhaustion from Information System Career Experience: Are the Implications for Turn-Away Intention Different for Millennials? AIS Transactions on Replication Research, 6(1), 16.

24.         Abston, K., Zaza, S., Arik, M., & Geho, P. (2020). Managerial Perceptions of STEM Workforce Supply and Demand Issues. Global Journal of Management and Marketing, 4(1).

25.         Arik, M., Abston, K., & Zaza, S. (2020). How Difficult Is It to Fill Manufacturing Positions? A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Survey Results. Global Journal of Accounting and Finance, 5(1), 113-134.

26.         Zaza, S., Harris, A., Arik, M., & Geho, P. (2019). The Roles Parents, Educators, Industry, Community, and Government Play in Growing and Sustaining the STEM Workforce. Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, 19(8).

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 1.             Bantan, M., Zaza, S., & Cunov, C. (2025). Embracing Neurodiversity in the Context of Information Security Compliance. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS), Nashville, TN.

2.             Zhu, Y., Cunov, C., & Zaza, S. (2025). The Moderating Impact of Autistic Tendency on the Relationship Between Technostress Facets and Burnout Facets in IT Professionals. Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS), Nashville, TN.

3.             Baker, E., Zaza, S., & Ashong Elliot, M. A. (2025). PDS–NeuroInclusion in the IT Workforce: Research Knowledge and Tools for Brighter Classrooms and Workplaces. Proceedings of the Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS).

4.             Van Slyke, C., Mansour, J., Joseph, D., Sumner, M., & Zaza, S. (2025, May). Panel: Workforce Implications of Learned Passivity. Proceedings of the 2025 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

5.             Armstrong, D. J., Armstrong, K., & Zaza, S. (2025). AI Conversation Drift. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), Montreal, Canada.

6.             AlHasan, A. R., Zaza, S., Deng, X., & Armstrong, D. J. (2025). Exploring IT Career Aspirations via Socio-cognitive and Socio-cultural Factors. Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS), Montreal, Canada.

7.             Kusanke, K., Kendziorra, J., & Zaza, S. (2024, May). Bridging the Digital Talent Gap—Facilitating and Encouraging Career Transitions into the IT Sector: Germany and US Contexts. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-3.

8.             Hildebrandt, Y., Zaza, S., Armstrong, D., & Beimborn, D. (2024, May). IT Reinvention: A Configurational Perspective of IT Specific Traits. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

9.             Kusanke, K., Kendziorra, J., Zaza, S., & Winkler, T. J. (2024, May). Transforming the IT Landscape: Ecosystem-Based Approaches to Career Transitions. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

10.         Xiong, L., Zhu, Y., & Zaza, S. (2024, May). Enhancing Data Diversity and Traceability to Mitigate Bias in Healthcare AI: A Blockchain-Driven Approach. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

11.         Zhu, Y., Saunderson, K., Nanmejo, J., Mamidi, L., Grefberg, M., Chamala, K., & Zaza, S. (2024, May). Social Media Use to Bridge Social Isolation, Cultural Dissonance, and Identity Crises of the Second-Generation Immigrants. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

12.         Collins, A., & Zaza, S. (2024, May). The Impact of Accessibility and Connectivity on Farmers' Intention to Leave Their Land. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-1.

13.         Woods, L. B., Zaza, S., Matthews, L., & Edmondson, D. (2024, May). Understanding IT Professionals' Uniqueness: A Comparison Case Study of the Burnout Process with Sales Professionals. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-2.

14.         Zhong, C., Zaza, S., & Bartelt, V. (2024, May). Understanding Communication Preferences in Collaborative Cybersecurity Incident Response. Proceedings of the 2024 Computers and People Research Conference, 1-1.

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2026

•         Outstanding Public Service Award – MTSU

•         Finalist, Cybersecurity Educator of the Year – ISSA Middle Tennessee Chapter

2025

•         AIS Distinguished Member – Cum Laude, Association for Information Systems

•         Innovation Award – Murfreesboro Technology Council

•         Excellence in Leadership Award – AIS Women's College

•         Mentor Award – AIS Women's College

•         Nominee, National Women's History Month Trailblazer Award, MTSU June Anderson Center for Women and Nontraditional Students

•         AIS Appreciation Local Advisor Award, International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS)

•         AIS Appreciation Publicity Chair Award, International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS)

2024

•         E. W. “Wink” Midgett Award of Excellence in Research

•         AIS Women Network College Best Paper Award

•         ACM SIGMIS Early Career Award

•         Recognition for Organizing the ACM SIGMIS Computers and People Research Conference Hosted at MTSU

•         Nominee, ATHENA International Leadership Award, Rutherford Cable

•         Finalist, Community Leader of the Year, Nashville Technology Council

2023

•         E. W. “Wink” Midgett Award of Excellence in Research, Teaching, and Service

•         AIS Sandra Slaughter Service Award

•         AIS Women Network College Outstanding Educator Award

•         AIS Doctoral Student College Faculty Mentor Award

•         Greater Nashville Technology Council Award for Diversity and Inclusion Advocate

•         Nominated, Outstanding Teaching Award, Middle Tennessee State University

•         Best Senior Editor Award, The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems

•         Nominee, Distinguished Early Career Research Award, MTSU

•         Nominee, ATHENA Leadership Award, ATHENA International

2022

•         AIS Women Network College Best Paper Award, 1st Runner-Up

•         AIS SIG Social Inclusion Outstanding Service Award

•         AIS Appreciation Review Coordinator Award

•         AIS Appreciation ERF Chair Award

•         MTSU Bridgestone Americas Distinguished Award for Research, Teaching, and Service

•         Service Award SIG Leadership in IT, Association for Information Systems

•         Service Award, Middle East and North Africa Chapter, Association for Information Systems

•         Nominee, VP Membership, Association for Information Systems

2021

•         Leadership Award, Middle East and North Africa–AIS

•         Best Service Award, MENACIS Conference

•         Best Associate Editor Award, European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), Association for Information Systems

•         AIS Distinguished Member

2020

•         Nominated, Outstanding Teaching Award, Middle Tennessee State University

•         Distinguished Research Award, Institute for Global Business Research

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Editorial Roles

•         Senior Editor, The DATA BASE for Advances in Information Systems, 2021–2027 (renewed for a second term, 2024–2027)

•          Associate Editor, Information Systems Journal, 2025–Present

•         Associate Editor, European Journal of Information Systems, 2026–Present

•         Associate Editor, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2022–2026

•         Editor, Department of Replication, Communications of the Association for Information Systems, 2026–Present

•         Advisory Board Member, Arab Journal of Administrative Sciences, Kuwait University, 2025–Present

Conference Activities

•         Review Coordinator, International Conference on Information Systems – ICIS 2022 (Copenhagen, Denmark), ICIS 2023 (India)

•         Review Coordinator, European Conference on Information Systems – ECIS 2024 (Cyprus), ECIS 2025 (Jordan)

•         Local Advisor and Publicity Chair, International Conference on Information Systems, 2025

•         Inclusion Officer, European Conference on Information Systems, 2023 – Mentorship Outreach Initiative for African Sub-Saharan Universities

•         Panel Chair, Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2026

•         Publicity Chair, Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2024

•         Minitrack Co-Chair, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Technology and Organizations,” Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2024

•         ERF Chair, Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2022

•         Conference Chair, MENACIS, 2021

•         Invited Speaker, Association for Information Systems Eastern Africa (AISEA) Computing and Information Systems Conference, 2021

•         Invited Speaker, 1st International Multidisciplinary Scientific Congress – The Power of Change: Windows of Opportunities for a Sustainable Future, Ica, Peru, October 2022

•         Conference Chair, SIGMIS CPR Conference – Atlanta, GA (2022); Pomona, CA (2023); Murfreesboro, TN (2024)

•         Doctoral Consortium Co-Chair, SIGMIS CPR Conference – Waco, TX (2025); St. Louis, MO (2027)

•         Program Co-Chair, MENACIS, Saudi Arabia, November 2022

•         Panelist, “Bridging the Gap,” MENACIS Conference, Morocco, 2021

•         Panelist, “Role, Activities and Opportunities for AIS Chapters,” Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, 2021

•         Track Chair, Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; Track Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Track, Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems (PACIS) – 2025

•         Workshop Organizer, International Conference on Information Systems, 2022, 2023, 2024; European Conference on Information Systems, 2023, 2024

•         Session Chair, European Conference on Information Systems, 2021; Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2021, 2022, 2023; International Conference on Information Systems, 2022, 2023

•         Associate Editor (Conference Track), International Conference on Information Systems, 2021, 2022, 2023; European Conference on Information Systems, 2021, 2022; Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, 2021, 2022

•         Volunteer, Americas Conference on Information Systems, 2013–2018; International Conference on Information Systems, 2013–2018

•         Doctoral/Junior Faculty Consortium Participant – ICIS Doctoral Consortium (2016); AMCIS Doctoral Consortium (2017); Academy of Management/CTO Doctoral Consortium (2017); ICIS Junior Faculty Consortium (2019)

•         Invited Mentor – Junior Faculty Consortium, ECIS 2024 (Cyprus); Doctoral Consortium, ECIS 2025 (Jordan); Junior Faculty Consortium, AMCIS 2022 (Minneapolis); Junior Faculty Consortium, ICIS 2022 (Copenhagen); Doctoral Students Consortium, AoM/CTO 2023 (Boston); Doctoral Students Consortium, AoM/CTO 2024 (Chicago); Early Career Faculty Consortium, ECIS 2026 (Milan); Early Career Faculty Consortium, AMCIS 2026 (Reno); Early Career Faculty Consortium, ICIS 2027 (Orlando)

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•         Featured in the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal – coverage of the Tech Vision Conference, April 2025

•         Interviewed by Newsmax – “AI in Higher Education? University Policies Give Profs Final Say,” May 2025

•         Interviewed by WKRN News – on artificial intelligence–enabled scams targeting families, September 2025

•         Interviewed by WKRN News – on artificial intelligence–enabled scams targeting families, September 2025

•         Interviewed by WGNS News – on online safety and sextortion awareness, November 2025

•         Interviewed by WGNS Radio – on emerging technology topics and IT conference coverage

•         Interviewed by WKRN News 2 – “Sen. Marsha Blackburn shares new framework for national regulation of artificial intelligence,” March 2026

•         Interviewed by WKRN News 2 – “Middle Tennessee water utilities receive federal cyber threat alert,” July 2026

•         Featured, Rutherford County Source – “Child Advocacy Center Warns of Rising Online Threats to Children,” November 2025

•         Featured, NewsChannel 5 (WTVF-CBS Nashville) at 4 PM – November 2024

•         Featured, MTSU News – mentee Anna Collins’ national Phi Kappa Phi Pioneer Award, August 2024

•         Interviewed by WGNS – “IT conference on AI,” December 2023

•         Interviewed by WGNS “Action Line” Radio Program – Spring IT conference coverage, December 2023

•         Featured, “Out of the Bleu” – 2024 ACM SIGMIS Computers and People Research Conference, November 2023

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