Understanding the Business Value of Social Information Systems – A Research Agenda

Abstract

The creation of value by social information systems has been confirmed by recent studies. However, few is known about the mechanisms that create value in so-cial information systems. Therefore, this article investi-gates how social information systems create value. We analyze which and how these value-creating interac-tions appear in different types of social information systems. Based on a literature review, we identify four emergent interactions in social information systems that create value: social production, co-creation, weak ties, and egalitarian decisions. Using our findings, we develop a research agenda to further explore the value creation mechanisms of social information systems.