A Theory of Information Compression: When Judgments Are Costly

2023 | Information Systems Research | Citations: 0

Authors: Watson, Richard Thomas; Plangger, Kirk; Pitt, Leyland; Tiwana, Amrit

Abstract: A theory of information compression (TIC) conceptualizes how anticipated judgmen ... Expand

Abstract: A theory of information compression (TIC) conceptualizes how anticipated judgment costs can affect decision quality. We theorize—inductively from decision making in medicine, energy pricing, auditing, and financial analytics—how judgment networks can exacerbate financial and nonfinancial judgment costs that compress information. Information compression occurs when a process intended to inform decision making generates information that has little variation. This can reduce decision quality and market efficiency. We offer potential remedies to mitigate its adverse societal consequences. We use complementary theoretical perspectives to nomologically contextualize how information compression arises. We introduce an information compression measure based on information entropy. TIC’s theoretical crux is that the expansion of a judgment network’s publicness exacerbates information compression by increasing judgment costs for some entities in a judgment network. We close with future research ideas on TIC’s core propositions and its broader theoretical implications for information systems research. History: Yulin Fang, Senior Editor; Robert Gregory, Associate Editor. Collapse

Topics: social media societal evaluation criteria social influence price management decision making

Methods: theory development theoretical contribution econometric modeling

Theories: punctuated equilibrium theory agency theory technology acceptance model mathematical theory of communication theory of information

Design and Evaluation of an AI-based Learning System to Foster Students' Structural and Persuasive Writing in Law Courses

2023 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Florian; Wambsganss, Thiemo; Soellner, Matthias

Abstract: Structured and persuasive writing is essential for effective communication, con ... Expand

Abstract: Structured and persuasive writing is essential for effective communication, convincing readers of argument validity, and inspiring action. However, studies indicate a decline in students' proficiency in this area. This decline poses challenges in disciplines like law, where success relies on structured and persuasive writing skills. To address these issues, we present the results of our design science research project to develop an AI-based learning system that helps students learn legal writing. Our results from two different experiments with 104 students demonstrate the usefulness of our AI-based learning system to support law students independent of a human tutor, location, and time. Apart from furnishing our integrated software artifact, we also document our assessed design knowledge in the form of a design theory. This marks the first step toward a nascent design theory for the development of AI-based learning systems for legal writing. Collapse

Topics: online learning system artificial intelligence usability perceived ease of use user experience

Methods: experimental group design principle qualitative interview field experiment experiment

Theories: learning theory argumentation theory

Supporting Human Cognitive Writing Processes: Towards a Taxonomy of Writing Support Systems

2023 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Florian; Wambsganss, Thiemo; Soellner, Matthias

Abstract: In the field of natural language processing (NLP), advances in transformer arch ... Expand

Abstract: In the field of natural language processing (NLP), advances in transformer architectures and large-scale language models have led to a plethora of designs and research on a new class of information systems (IS) called writing support systems, which help users plan, write, and revise their texts. Despite the growing interest in writing support systems in research, there needs to be more common knowledge about the different design elements of writing support systems. Our goal is, therefore, to develop a taxonomy to classify writing support systems into three main categories (technology, task/structure, and user). We evaluated and refined our taxonomy with seven interviewees with domain expertise, identified three clusters in the reviewed literature, and derived five archetypes of writing support system applications based on our categorization. Finally, we formulate a new research agenda to guide researchers in the development and evaluation of writing support systems. Collapse

Topics: database system mobile application artificial intelligence technological change generative AI

Methods: qualitative interview cluster analysis literature study personal interview structured literature research

Theories: socio technical theory sociotechnical systems theory

Organizational Capabilities for AI Implementation—Coping with Inscrutability and Data Dependency in AI

2023 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Michael; Engert, Martin; Schaffer, Norman; Weking, Jörg; Krcmar, Helmut

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation incorporates challenges that are uni ... Expand

Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation incorporates challenges that are unique to the context of AI, such as dealing with probabilistic outputs. To address these challenges, recent research suggests that organizations should develop specific capabilities for AI implementation. Currently, we lack a thorough understanding of how certain capabilities facilitate AI implementation. It remains unclear how they help organizations to cope with AI’s unique characteristics. To address this research gap, we employ a qualitative research approach and conduct 25 explorative interviews with experts on AI implementation. We derive four organizational capabilities for AI implementation: AI Project Planning and Co-Development help to cope with the inscrutability in AI, which complicates the planning of AI projects and communication between different stakeholders. Data Management and AI Model Lifecycle Management help to cope with the data dependency in AI, which challenges organizations to provide the proper data foundation and continuously adjust AI systems as the data evolves. We contribute to our understanding of the sociotechnical implications of AI’s characteristics and further develop the concept of organizational capabilities as an important success factor for AI implementation. For practice, we provide actionable recommendations to develop organizational capabilities for AI implementation. Collapse

Topics: artificial intelligence data management sensemaking systems implementation organizational success

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative coding constant comparative analysis computational algorithm literature study

Theories: theory of abduction

PREPARING FOR CYBERATTACKS: A CASE STUDY OF RESILIENCE IN THE HEALTH-CARE SECTOR

2023 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Manuel; Hacker, Janine; Karintaus, Laura; Pekkola, Samuli; Brocke, Jan vom; Ylinen, Maija

Abstract: Nowadays, health-care organizations rely extensively on information technology ... Expand

Abstract: Nowadays, health-care organizations rely extensively on information technology and systems for providing high-quality services to their patients and exchanging data with external partners. However, these organizations, processes, and operations are vulnerable to criminal activities and digital security breaches, which has led health-care organizations to build various protection mechanisms, including firewalls, virus scanners, and security policies that enhance their ability to prepare for threats; design activities to be conducted during a cyberattack; and implement means to recover from an unfortunate event. Although these moves have been acknowledged in research and in practice, there is still little knowledge available on how organizations understand and perceive such events as well as their consequences. To this end, we conducted a qualitative case study that included 14 interviews with diverse key actors at a Finnish hospital. From them, we aimed to understand how the organization has prepared for cyberattack resilience. By generalizing our case research, we built a framework for analyzing and improving organizational resilience. This framework makes significant contributions both to theory and practice. Collapse

Topics: IS management emergency management business continuity planning business process management identity theft

Methods: qualitative interview case study single case study multiple case study personal interview

From Apathy to Algoactivism: Worker Resistance to Algorithmic Control in Food Delivery Platforms

2023 | International Conference on Business Informatics | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Matthias; Jong, Alexander De; Remus, Ulrich

Abstract: Platforms in the gig economy rely on algorithmic control to manage their workfo ... Expand

Abstract: Platforms in the gig economy rely on algorithmic control to manage their workforce, but recent scientific evidence has shown that workers have begun to resist this control. Due to lacking focus and limited empirical data, the phenomenon of worker resistance to algorithmic control is still insufficiently understood. Based on a topic modeling approach with over 2 million text documents extracted from Reddit forums of different food-delivery platforms, we identify 14 resistance actions showing how food-delivery workers resist algorithmic control. Our study contributes to current research by expanding the understanding of resistance to algorithmic control in the gig economy, showing what resistant actions workers take, and discussing the concepts of individual opacity and collective knowledge as possible escalators and de-escalators of this resistance. Collapse

Topics: platform worker resistance to change Reddit search engine sensemaking

Methods: topic model qualitative coding theory development computational algorithm focus group

Revealing the Voices of Resistance: A Q-Methodology Study on Platform Workers in the Gig Economy

2023 | International Conference on Business Informatics | Citations: 0

Authors: Weber, Matthias; Remus, Ulrich; Geiger, Manfred; Jong, Alexander De

Abstract: While algorithmic management generates several benefits for platform companies, ... Expand

Abstract: While algorithmic management generates several benefits for platform companies, it emanates several issues for workers, which they perceive as threats triggering different forms of resistance behaviors. Although recent studies identify these issues and resistance behaviors, the perspective of the actual subject of resistance, i.e., the gig worker or group of gig workers with resistant behaviors, is yet not well understood. By adopting a Q-methodology mixed-method approach this study tries to identify resistance types of gig workers, explore their characteristics and similarities, and therefore give a voice to the subject of resistance. Based on 21 threats and 14 resistance behaviors, identified in a literature review, we develop a Q-set containing 35 statements, which will be used for data collection with the goal of revealing the richness of the resistance phenomenon in the context of work in the gig economy. Collapse

Topics: platform worker Upwork Fiverr crowdsourcing Uber

Methods: Q methodology literature study mixed method

Humanistic vs. instrumental goals -how mindfulness about goal-conflicts impact IT-related change endeavors in healthcare

2023 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Weeger, A.; Dietz, A.; Wagner, H.

Abstract: Health IT is expected to support both humanistic and instrumental goals, by, e. ... Expand

Abstract: Health IT is expected to support both humanistic and instrumental goals, by, e.g., improving both quality and efficiency in healthcare. However, health IT is also triggering or reinforcing conflicts between these goals. These conflicts then often result in failure to achieve intended outcomes such as improved healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency.By proposing an activity theoretical perspective on IT-related change, this study assumes that outcomes of such endeavors are dependent on actors being mindful of these conflicts and how the IS and complementary resources. Analyzing data collected in four IT-related change projects, supports this assumption: data shows that outcome relate to the ability of actors to understand the interplay between humanistic and instrumental goals among the diverse stakeholders. Mindfulness regarding these conflicts is necessary to efficiently develop and implement changes to IS that balance conflicting perspectives and realize expected outcomes. The implications encourage research and practice alike to develop interventions that help to increase understanding and mindfulness of the interplay between IS and the other elements of collective activities in healthcare. Collapse

Topics: mindfulness health information system systems implementation

Methods: qualitative interview case study survey longitudinal case study interpretative method

Theories: sociomaterialism theory activity theory

First-party content and market concentration on a B2B E-commerce platform – Theory and empirical evidence

2023 | Decision Support Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Wei, Jianjiong; Wei, Xueqi; Zhang, Dawei (David); Liu, Jie

Abstract: In this study, we develop analytical models based on the Cournot competition mod ... Expand

Abstract: In this study, we develop analytical models based on the Cournot competition model to analyze the influence of substitutive first-party content (SFPC) on platform-based market concentration at different complementary firstparty content (CFPC) levels. We further use a unique dataset collected from an online B2B E-commence platform to validate our findings. We discover that at a low CFPC level, increased SFPC leads to fewer seller-posted products on the platform and crowds out third-party sellers, making the platform a more concentrated mar­ ket. When the CFPC level is high, third-party sellers' responses to increased SFPC turn the opposite: they fight back by posting more products on the platform. Consequently, the market becomes less concentrated and more competitive. To our knowledge, this study is among the first to explore the strategic use of SFPC and its influence on market concentration at different CFPC levels in the context of B2B E-commerce platforms. Collapse

Topics: business-to-business network effect electronic commerce business-to-consumer business model

Methods: mathematical model descriptive statistic parametric test ANOVA statistical hypothesis test

Game-Based Approaches to Enhancing Public Understanding of Science: A Descriptive Literature Review

2023 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Wei, Lewen; Hamari, Juho

Abstract: With prominent looming global issues such as climate change and COVID-19, public ... Expand

Abstract: With prominent looming global issues such as climate change and COVID-19, public understanding of science (PUS) is increasingly perceived to be vital for humanity to address and adapt to global wicked challenges. Compared to conventional approaches that struggle with public engagement, games can potentially remedy this by proactively engaging players towards more fruitful performance in and outside games. While the employment of game-based approaches in pedagogy in general is not a new development, gamifying PUS has only recently grown to relative prominence for its superiority in engaging the public with active science-derived interpretation, deliberation, and consequent action. To understand the state-of-the-art of this field, we conduct a systematic descriptive literature review of the extant corpus. We reviewed 29 papers and investigated their types of interventions, contexts, populations, and outcomes. The results overall indicate diverse yet imbalanced research focuses thus far, for which we discuss implications for future research. Collapse

Topics: innovation management gamification video game climate change participatory design

Methods: literature study literature sample design methodology qualitativ observational study simulation