Studying Dynamics and Change with Digital Trace Data: A Systematic Literature Review

Franzoi, Sandro; Grisold, Thomas; vom Brocke, Jan


Abstract

Digital trace data offer promising opportunities to study dynamics and change of various socio-technical phenomena over time. While we see a surge of empirical and conceptual articles, we lack a systematic understanding of why, how, and when digital trace data are or can be used to study dynamics and change. In this article, we present the findings of a systematic literature review to uncover common approaches, motivations, findings, and general themes in the existing literature. We systematically reviewed 40 studies that were published in premium outlets in the information systems field. Our review sheds light on (1) underlying purposes of such studies, (2) utilized data sources, (3) research contexts, (4) socio-technical phenomena of interest, (5) applied analytical methods, and (6) measures that are being used. Building on our findings, we point to several implications for research and shed light on avenues to advance this field in the future.

Keywords
digital trace data, dynamics, change, computational, process, temporal, literature review process theorizing, process research



Publication type
Research article in proceedings (conference)

Peer reviewed
Yes

Publication status
Published

Year
2023

Conference
31st European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS)

Venue
Kristiansand

Book title
Proceedings of the 31st European Conference on Information Systems

Editor
Aanestad M; Klein S; Tarafdar M; Han S; Laumer S; Ramos I

Start page
1

End page
16

Publisher
AIS eLibrary

Place
United States

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