Social computing: implications for the EU innovation landscape

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to assess the main implications for innovation and competitiveness of social computing trends that promote swift social and economic relations. They are increasingly being considered by policymakers, both as tool and object for policymaking (i.e. how social computing could play a role in information society policies). Therefore, a general issue for the paper is represented by the lessons to be learned in terms of policy‐related consequences for Europe.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on an extensive desk‐based survey of secondary data available from reports, studies and most recent statistics, from internet audience measurement companies, international research companies, research projects of non‐profit centers, international firms or the industry itself.FindingsThe diffusion and usage of social computing applications have been growing at an exponential rate. A powerful feature emerges, i.e. the new user as supplier, co‐producer or innovator of the service. New areas of innovation lie at the crossroads of an increasingly complex process of both tacit and codified knowledge production. They affect the way people find information, learn, share, communicate and consume and the way business is done. New players and markets provide significant threats and opportunities for the ICT and media industries. New players have a smaller cost base, viable business models and a real market.Research limitations/implicationsComparative and systematic research of the fast growing social computing trends is needed over longer periods of time.Practical implicationsThe paper provides the first evidence on the size and weight of these trends, as well as on their social and economic relevance. It raises the need for more research, e.g. on the areas that would be most impacted and to what extent, as well as a wealth of policy‐related research questions.Originality/valueSince social computing is an emerging phenomenon, the work is innovative and novel because it attempts to draw a first solid overall picture of the development of these trends.

Cultural impacts on knowledge sharing: empirical data from EU project collaboration

“…From the literature, we conclude that knowledge sharing technologies are merely enablers for knowledge sharing (in the form of internet, intranet, information systems, online communities, WEB 2.0, Enterprise 2.0 and KM 2.0 infrastructures etc.) (Levy, 2009;Paroutis and Saleh, 2009;Pascu et. al, 2008;O"Reilly, 2005).…”

“…Social computing applications have showed an enormous growth in popularity over recent years (Pascu et al, 2008). They are responding to underlying social trends of free dynamic collective content creation, assembly, organisation (tags), location and sharing (Paroutis and Saleh, 2009).…”

3rd ICTs and Society Meeting; Paper Session - Inequalities: social, economic, political; Paper 1: Information Society Policies 2.0. A Critical Analysis of the Potential and Pit-falls of Social Computing & Informatics in the Light of E-inclusion

“…Given the double face of social computing & informatics we could argue to specifically focus on disadvantaged groups. On the other hand, it remains unclear whether this label accurately fits with different categories of user participation and/or usage divides (Pascu et al, 2008).…”

“…Social computing & informatics (Pascu et al, 2008;Kling et al, 2005) -and a broader movement that is commonly named as Web 2.0 and social media (Fuchs, 2008;Hassan & Thomas, 2006) -may be function as a lever to better support the role of active involvement and user empowerment, especially because the user is given a more central role in comparison with 'traditional' ICT and media technologies. Therefore, the impact of social computing & informatics may be understood as a first sign of societal re-engineering, as it marks a fundamental shift from technology driven innovation towards user and society driven innovation.…”

Flexible learning in engineering education: A reflection on the model

“…The ability to record the classroom activity of campus-based courses, and the increase of online technologies for communication outside of the classroom, have now made it possible for students to take part in courses with minimal campus attendance [1]. Web 2.0 or learning 2.0 technologies are very popular among students and the public alike, in particular young internet users [2]. These technologies are basically social digital applications that enable online interaction and collaboration among users.…”