18th Routines.Research.Community Workshop

September 25-26^th, 2025 | Jindřichův Hradec, Czech Republic

Leading Theme: The organisational routines and digital solutions interplay

Digital solutions and information systems have a significant impact on how people work and, thus, on organisational routines. Information systems were initially shaped by organisational routines, so technology and information systems aimed to fit and automate existing practices. However, as information systems advance into adaptive systems and enhanced digital solutions, they are no longer just tools, but they actively shape how organisational routines emerge, evolve and recreate themselves. Thus, we want to turn our attention to various interactions in the space where business and information technology practitioners collaborate to create digital solutions that, in turn, shape future organisational routines.

Context and Situation

The financial sector, especially banks, stands at the forefront of digital transformation, where advanced information systems are not only changing internal workflows but also reshaping how professionals work, collaborate, and adapt. Moreover, the impact of innovative design solutions extends beyond the organization, altering customer routines, and habits across society. As such, the financial sector withstands various challenges regarding the work, digitalization, the quest for organizing, and regulations. The RRC community represents a space for open discussion and can reflect the situation and direct research initiatives towards a better understanding of the interplay between organizational routines and digital solutions and consequent impacts.

Purpose of the workshop

The aim of the workshop is to create space for open discussion within and between Routines.Research.Community, and practitioners to explore the routine dynamics at the intersection between the business and IT/IS practitioners. We believe this workshop will open directions to a better understanding of the interplay between organizational routines and information systems.

Preliminary Program

Detailed schedule will be updated

Thursday, September 25th (2-10 pm)

Welcome coffee and toast from research guru Tomáš Kincl

Theme Keynote

Idea Bazaar

Reflection

Dinner and Evening network

Friday, September 26th (9 am-1 pm)

Morning coffee

Introduction and Panel discussion with professionals from the field of IS design and development

Round tables with professionals

Reflection and closing up

Lunch buffet

Voluntary post-event activities "tour de Jindřichův Hradec" and "afterparty"

Applications

Scholars interested in participating are invited to apply through email by August 10, 2025 (vera.kralova@vse.cz or petr.simacek@vse.cz). To apply, please briefly outline your motivation to participate (2-3 sentences can be enough) and how your research relates to the workshop focus.

We also invite you to participate in the Idea Bazaar. The Idea Bazaar is a platform to present and test your research ideas and receive insightful feedback and suggestions from the audience. Please indicate your interest in participating in the Idea Bazaar in your application.

Venue

The Faculty of Management, Prague University of Economics and Business located in Jindřichův Hradec.

The number of participants is limited to 30. The workshop is funded by the Faculty of Management, Prague University of Economics and Business, located in Jindřichův Hradec. That means the workshop participation is free as well as the Thursday dinner (meal + one drink) and Friday’s lunch buffet.

Travel Options

Jindřichův Hradec is a beautiful historic town with a stunning castle, a charming city center, and a welcoming atmosphere that allows us to combine the research meeting with authentic Czech experiences. Although Jindřichův Hradec lies in the heart of Europe, reaching it may seem challenging at first. Therefore, we provide several options to help you easily get to us.

RRC Meeting Shuttle from Prague (recommended)

The most convenient means of transport if you are flying or arriving in Prague.

On Thursday 18th, we will arrange a shuttle departing at 11:00 from Prague Airport and at 11:30 from Prague city center.

Please indicate your interest in the shuttle service in your application!

Train

Jindřichův Hradec is accessible by train, including connections from Austria. The train station in Jindřichův Hradec is only a 7 minute walk from the RRC meeting venue. To find a connection and buy tickets, you can download an app for Android, iPhone, or use the Czech Railways website.

Here is a selection of convenient connections to Jindřichův Hradec on Thursday, 18th.

From Linz – departure 9:35, arrival 12:58 (1 change in České Budějovice) – connections every 2 hours
From Prague – departure 9:46, arrival 12:58 (1 change in Veselí nad Lužnicí) – connections every hour
From Vienna – departure 9:00, arrival 12:58 (1 change in Veselí nad Lužnicí) – connections less frequent and less convenient

Car

Jindřichův Hradec in within reasonable driving distance from Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Poland, and central Europe in general.

We will arrange free parking for participants at the meeting venue.

Please indicate your interest in a parking spot in your application.

Bus

Jindřichův Hradec is a FlixBus destination and the bus stop is just a 7 minute walk from the RRC meeting venue.

There is a direct Flixbus line Munich – Salzburg – Linz – Český Krumlov – Jindřichův Hradec. (Flixbus destination page)

However, bus journeys can be quite lengthy from most destinations.

Accommodation tips

Jindřichův Hradec offers a variety of comfortable and cozy accommodation options within easy walking distance from the RRC Meeting venue, typically ranging from just 100 meters to 1 kilometer. You can view the venue’s location here.

You’ll find hotels and private guesthouses (pensions) in the town, with prices ranging between €50 and €120 per night. Most of these options are available via Booking.com, making reservations simple. We can recommend, for example, Hotel Concertino Zlatá Husa; Hotel Bílá paní; Cyklopenzion Kasper; Penzion Černej pták, or Penzionek JH.

We also encourage you to consider staying an extra night after the meeting to enjoy the charm of Jindřichův Hradec – a picturesque South Bohemian town known for its historic center, lakeside views, and peaceful atmosphere.

If you have any questions or need assistance with planning your journey or accommodation, please do not hesitate to contact us (vera.kralova@vse.cz or petr.simacek@vse.cz).

Reccommended Hotels

Hotel Concertino Zlatá Husa

Special Guests

The RRC workshop will be represented by both audiences by professionals in the field. Professor Brian Pentland will represent the lead for the Routine.Research.Community and Petr Mráz, Lucie Nová, Karel Smíšovský, Filip Hendrickx will be practitioners’s representatives.

Brian Pentland – is the Main Street Capital Corporation Intellectual Capital Endowed Professor at the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. His work is focused on the analysis of repetitive patterns of action, such as organizational routines. He has used this perspective to study software support, auditing, invoice processing, customer service and most recently, electronic medical record keeping. With support from the National Science Foundation and an amazing set of co-authors, he has helped build the field of Routine Dynamics by introducing concepts and tools for analyzing and visualizing action patterns.

Petr Mráz – from KB has extensive experience in delivering digital solutions within the banking sector. Over the years, he has held key roles including system analyst, developer, project manager, technical team leader, development manager, and tribe technology leader. His strength lies not only in his deep understanding of information system design and development but also in his calm, respectful, and solution-oriented approach to complex challenges. Petr is valued for his ability to foster collaboration and lead with both technical insight and human approach.

Lucie Nová – is an experienced IT professional with a strong background in digital solution delivery in finance sector. She builds on experience from a variety of roles, including software tester, analyst, project manager, process manager, quality manager, and product owner. Lucie combines her technical expertise with a passion for team support, leadership, mentoring, and coaching. This broad experience gives her deep insight into how information systems are designed, developed, and delivered. She has successfully led large teams through agile transformations and continues to help organizations improve their systems, processes, and collaboration.

Karel Smíšovský – is an experienced professional in information systems design and development, with a career spanning roles such as developer, business analyst, business architect, competency manager, team leader, and lecturer. As the founder of Beanz, he combines deep technical knowledge with strategic business insight to help organizations design and deliver effective digital solutions. Karel has worked across a wide range of projects, guiding teams through the full development lifecycle and aligning business needs with IT capabilities. His mission is to continue supporting organizations in delivering meaningful digital solutions that drive real effectiveness and long-term value.