Data Science for Social Good

2023 | Journal of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Abbasi, Ahmed; Chiang, Roger; Xu, Jennifer

Abstract: Data science has been described as the fourth paradigm of scientific discovery. ... Expand

Abstract: Data science has been described as the fourth paradigm of scientific discovery. The latest wave of data science research, pertaining to machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), is growing exponentially and garnering millions of annual citations. However, this growth has been accompanied by a diminishing emphasis on social good challenges-our analysis reveals that the proportion of data science research focusing on social good is less than it has ever been. At the same time, the proliferation of machine learning and generative AI has sparked debates about the sociotechnical prospects and challenges associated with data science for human flourishing, organizations, and society. Against this backdrop, we present a framework for "data science for social good" (DSSG) research that considers the interplay between relevant data science research genres, social good challenges, and different levels of sociotechnical abstraction. We perform an analysis of the literature to empirically demonstrate the paucity of work on DSSG in information systems (and other related disciplines) and highlight current impediments. We then use our proposed framework to introduce the articles appearing in the JAIS special issue on data science for social good. We hope that this editorial and the special issue will spur future DSSG research and help reverse the alarming trend across data science research over the past 30-plus years in which social good challenges are attracting proportionately less attention with each passing day. Collapse

Topics: societal evaluation criteria digital dashboard productivity social media pandemic

Methods: word embedding literature study literature sample longitudinal research design science

Doing good by going digital: A taxonomy of digital social innovation in the context of incumbents

2023 | Journal of Strategic Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Buck, Christoph; Krombacher, Anna; Röglinger, Maximilian; Körner-Wyrtki, Katrin

Abstract: Digital social innovation (DSI) offers incumbents a strategic field of action to ... Expand

Abstract: Digital social innovation (DSI) offers incumbents a strategic field of action to leverage the op­ portunities of digital technologies to address pressing societal challenges. By proposing a tax­ onomy and 12 clusters of incumbents’ DSI initiatives based on a sample of 296 real-world objects, we develop a unified understanding of DSI and its characteristics. This lays the foundation for further theorising on DSI from an incumbent perspective and for researchers to shape the DSI field. The taxonomy provides incumbents with an orientation to realise DSI’s rich strategic po­ tentials throughout the DSI ideation process and in assessing DSI types. Collapse

Topics: innovation management societal challenge database system value creation digital innovation

Methods: literature sample cluster analysis agglomerative hierarchical clustering structured literature research theory development

Theories: information systems theory

Divergent Innovation: Directing the Wisdom of Crowd to Tackle Societal Challenges

2023 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Cao, Chuhan; Zhu, Jiantao; Xiong, Bingqing; Lim, Eric; Liu, Hefu; Cai, Zhao; Tan, Chee-Wee

Abstract: Crowdsourcing is acknowledged as a promising avenue for addressing societal cha ... Expand

Abstract: Crowdsourcing is acknowledged as a promising avenue for addressing societal challenges by drawing on the wisdom of the crowd to offer diverse solutions to complex problems. Advancing a new conceptual framework of 'divergent innovation' which delineates between topic and quality divergence as focal metrics of performance when crowdsourcing for solutions to societal challenges, this study investigates the impacts of four ideation stimuli on divergent innovation. These four stimuli include task description concreteness, resource richness, topic entropy, and judging criteria comprehensiveness. Empirical analysis based on data sourced from an online crowd-ideation platform reveals that task description concreteness negatively affects topic divergence but positively influences quality divergence, whereas resource richness positively affects topic divergence but negatively influences quality divergence. Additionally, the relationship between topic entropy and topic divergence is U-shaped, with no significant impact on quality divergence. These findings contribute to extant literature on crowdsourcing and offer invaluable insights for practitioners. Collapse

Topics: innovation management societal challenge crowdsourcing evaluation criteria media richness

Methods: BERT literature study statistical hypothesis test regression analysis method language model

Bystanders Join in Cyberbullying on Social Networking Sites: The Deindividuation and Moral Disengagement Perspectives

2023 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Chan, Tommy K. H.; Cheung, Christy M. K.; Benbasat, Izak; Xiao, Bo; Lee, Zach W. Y.

Abstract: Cyberbullying on social networking sites (SNSs) escalates when bystanders join i ... Expand

Abstract: Cyberbullying on social networking sites (SNSs) escalates when bystanders join in the bullying. Although researchers have recognized the harmful consequences of joining in cyberbullying behaviors, little is known about the role of information technology (IT) and its underlying mechanisms in fueling such negative group behavior on SNSs. To address this research gap, we develop and test an integrative model that explains bystanders’ joining-in cyberbullying behaviors on SNSs. Based on the theoretical premises of the social identity model of deindividuation effects (the SIDE model), we derive two deindividuation experiences enabled by SNSs, namely experienced anonymity and experienced social identity. We further use the social network research framework to gain insights into how IT features (i.e., digital profile, search and privacy, relational ties, and network transparency) enable these two deindividuation experiences. Considering the socially undesirable nature of joining-in behaviors, we integrate the SIDE model with moral disengagement theory to explain how deindividuation experiences allow bystanders to bypass their psychological discomfort when engaging in such behaviors through the practice of moral disengagement mechanisms. Our research model is tested using a scenario survey, with two samples recruited from Amazon Mechanical Turk and Facebook. Our results support the influences of IT-enabled deindividuation experiences on bystanders joining in cyberbullying and demonstrate the mediating effects of moral disengagement mechanisms in bridging the effects of deindividuation experiences on joining-in behaviors. For researchers, the integrative view offers a conceptual bridge connecting IT features, deindividuation, moral disengagement, and negative online group behaviors on SNSs. For practitioners, our findings provide platform owners and governmental agencies with directions on how to mitigate cyberbullying on SNSs and other forms of deviant and undesirable online group behaviors.History: Yulin Fang, Senior Editor; J.J. Po-An Hsieh, Associate Editor.Funding: This work was substantially supported by a Senior Research Fellow Scheme Award, Research Grant Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [Grant HKBU SRFS2021-2H03]; and partially supported by grants from the General Research Fund, Research Grant Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China [Grants HKBU12511016 and HKBU12500020].Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2022.1161. Collapse

Topics: cyberbullying social identity anonymity Facebook social network

Methods: survey psychometrics partial least squares regression theory development post-hoc analysis

Theories: ethical theory moral disengagement theory

Doing strategic information systems research for public value

2023 | Journal of Strategic Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Desouza, Kevin C.; Dawson, Gregory S.

Abstract: This editorial has two purposes. First, we address why a focus on doing impactf ... Expand

Abstract: This editorial has two purposes. First, we address why a focus on doing impactful research that creates public value is vital for the present and the future of the information systems (IS) field. Second, we outline practices we have used to build research programs that promote the study of strategic IS opportunities and challenges to create public value.The published focus of the Journal of Strategic Information Systems is "… on the strategic management, business and organizational issues associated with the introduction and utilization of information systems….and the incorporation of IT into organizations' strategic thinking, strategy alignment [and] organizational arrangements…". As such, the journal is not interested in information systems in isolation, but rather in the larger impact of information systems on the organization, and concomitantly, on society more broadly. Guy Gable, former Editor-in-Chief (EIC) for JSIS quotes an unnamed scholar who said, "I personally find it unethical, if research is not driven by some type of relationship to 'contribution of 'societal value'. This is something we have forgotten and neglected in our frantic race for publishing more and getting a higher h-index … Without contribution to attainment of societal values, the IS field does not have any meaning, and should be eradicated" (Gable, 2020). Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence participatory design podcast government system societal challenge

Methods: design methodology machine learning

Ethical Hacking for a Good Cause: Finding Missing People using Crowdsourcing and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Tools

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Dincelli, Ersin; Slyke, Craig Van; Yayla, Alper

Abstract: Over 600,000 people go missing every year in the US alone. Despite the extensiv ... Expand

Abstract: Over 600,000 people go missing every year in the US alone. Despite the extensive resources allocated to investigating these cases, the high volume of missing person cases constitutes one of the biggest challenges for law enforcement agencies. One approach to tackle this challenge is using crowdsourcing. That is, volunteers use freely available tools and techniques to aid the existing efforts to investigate missing person cases. Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) refers to gathering information from publicly available sources and analyzing it through a comprehensive set of open-source tools to produce meaningful and actionable intelligence. OSINT has been applied to address various societal challenges and crimes, including environmental abuse, human rights violations, child exploitation, domestic violence, disasters, and locating missing people. Building on this premise, this case examines a crowdsourced initiative called Trace Labs that aims to assist law enforcement agencies in solving missing person cases using OSINT tools. The case emphasizes socio-technical aspects of cybersecurity, highlighting both the bright and dark sides of technology. It demonstrates the potential of information systems to serve the public good by examining topics such as open-source software, crowdsourcing, and intelligence gathering, while acknowledging that the very same underlying technology can be used for malicious purposes. concerns the behavioral aspects of information security and human-computer interaction (HCI). In particular, he studies individuals' decision-making processes and behaviors in the context of information security and privacy, social engineering attacks, privacy-invasive technologies (e.g., social media and wearable devices), designing innovative security education, training, and awareness (SETA) programs, and HCI design for emerging technologies (e.g., AI, blockchain, and virtual reality). Dr. Dincelli has published in academic journals, such as the Collapse

Topics: IT security ease of learning crowdsourcing anonymity open source

Methods: survey personal interview survey design mixed method

Orchestrating distributed data governance in open social innovation

2023 | Information and Organization | Citations: 0

Authors: Gegenhuber, Thomas; Mair, Johanna; Lührsen, René; Thäter, Laura

Abstract: Open Social Innovation (OSI) involves the collaboration of multiple stakeholders ... Expand

Abstract: Open Social Innovation (OSI) involves the collaboration of multiple stakeholders to generate ideas, and develop and scale solutions to make progress on societal challenges. In an OSI project, stakeholders share data and information, utilize it to better understand a problem, and combine data with digital technologies to create digitally-enabled solutions. Consequently, data gover­ nance is essential for orchestrating an OSI project to facilitate the coordination of innovation. Because OSI brings multiple stakeholders together, and each stakeholder participates voluntarily, data governance in OSI has a distributed nature. In this essay we put forward a framework consisting of three dimensions allowing an inquiry into the effectiveness of such distributed data governance: (1) openness (i.e., freely sharing data and information), (2) accountability (i.e., willingness to be held responsible and provide justifications for one's conduct) and (3) power (i.e., resourceful actors' ability to impact other stakeholder's actions). We apply this framework to reflect on the OSI project #WirVsVirus (“We versus virus” in English), to illustrate the challenges in organizing effective distributed data governance, and derive implications for research and practice. Collapse

Topics: data governance societal challenge innovation management business model information exchange

Methods: theory development

DRIVING TWIN TRANSFORMATION - THE INTERPLAY OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND SUSTAINABILITY TRANSFORMATION

2023 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Graf-Drasch, Valerie; Kauffeld, Leonie; Kempf, Laura; Oberländer, Anna Maria; Teuchert, Antonie

Abstract: Information systems research and practice have certainly realised the relevance ... Expand

Abstract: Information systems research and practice have certainly realised the relevance of digital transformation. At the same time, societal challenges are pushing sustainability transformation to the top of agendas. Today, both transformations are crucial to organisations' development. However, research and practice typically focus on one of the transformations in isolation or prioritise one over the other. An integrated perspective of the potential at both transformations' interface is missing, which accounts for their interplay on an equal level. We call this interplay twin transformation and present a twin transformation model building on a structured literature review. The twin transformation model reflects the mutually reinforcing relationships of digital transformation and sustainability transformation on eight organisational layers. Therewith, we uncover how digital transformation enables sustainability transformation and how sustainability transformation redesigns digital transformation. Our research contributes to descriptive knowledge and forms the basis for further theorising while offering practitioners inspiration to pursue twin transformation. Collapse

Topics: database system societal challenge digital transformation manufacturing information system information exchange

Methods: structured literature research theory development literature sample qualitative coding theoretical contribution

Theories: work systems theory

Information Systems Research for Smart Sustainable Mobility: A Framework and Call for Action

2023 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Ketter, Wolfgang; Schroer, Karsten; Valogianni, Konstantina

Abstract: Transportation is a backbone of modern globalized societies. It also causes appr ... Expand

Abstract: Transportation is a backbone of modern globalized societies. It also causes approximately one third of all European Union and U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, represents a major health hazard for global populations, and poses significant economic costs (e.g., due to traffic congestion). However, rapid innovation in vehicle technology, mobile connectivity, computing hardware, and artificial intelligence–powered information systems heralds a deep socio-technical transformation of the sector. The emergence of connected, autonomous, shared, and electric vehicle technology has created a digital layer that resides on top of the traditional physical mobility system. The resulting layered modular architecture is similar to that seen in other cyber-physical systems. Yet, it also comes with several characteristics and challenges that are unique to the domain of mobility and require entirely new solution approaches. Although other management and domain-specific research disciplines have started to embrace the new opportunities for research resulting from this deep structural change, the information systems (IS) community’s involvement in smart mobility research has been marginal. Yet, we argue that our field’s uniquely multidisciplinary, data-driven, and socio-technical research lens puts it in a strong position to address many of the large-scale societal challenges encountered in the mobility sector. Therefore, we make the case for IS research to play an active role in delivering a smart sustainable mobility ecosystem that is beneficial to users, mobility providers and the environment. We contribute a research framework to direct IS research efforts while providing a shared understanding of the smart sustainable mobility domain. We also present seven IS research opportunities along the dimensions of this framework and propose concrete angles of attack which we hope will spur an impactful and structured research agenda in the area. History: Ahmed Abbasi, Senior Editor; Gautam Pant, Associate Editor. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.2022.1167. Collapse

Topics: unintended consequence computer aided software engineering innovation management big data IS economics

Methods: causality analysis survey design science machine learning literature sample

The Quest for National Digital Agility: Digital Responses to Covid-19 in Five Countries

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Kendziorra, Jennifer; Witte, Anne-Katrin; Winkler, Till; Tong, Yu; Kwon, Juhee; Mishra, Abhay Nath

Abstract: Countries worldwide have employed various digital solutions to contain and cope ... Expand

Abstract: Countries worldwide have employed various digital solutions to contain and cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this explorative case research, we examine national-level digital responses to the pandemic in four specific areastracking and tracing, health data reporting, teleconsultation, and vaccination mobilization-across five countries: China, Denmark, Germany, South Korea, and the US. Drawing on the notion of agility and digital infrastructures, our cross-case analysis unveils how the countries' digital responses to the pandemic have been shaped by their national health system characteristics. In addition, we highlight how existing digital health infrastructures, regulatory adaptations, and industry collaborations fostered the alacrity with which nations responded to the pandemic. We define national-level digital agility as the ability of a nation to leverage digital infrastructure capabilities to address urgent societal challenges in a contextually appropriate way. Our key contribution is a model of this complex, but urgently needed concept containing five building blocks, that jointly explain and contribute to building such agility. Despite focusing on addressing the existing challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we believe that researchers and policymakers can also take away from our framework ideas to tackle other socio-environmental challenges. Collapse

Topics: IS agility pandemic health information system information technology infrastructure healthcare data

Methods: case study conceptual modelling cross sectional research multiple case study natural experiment