Paper Type
ERF
Abstract
Is the digital age falling short of its potential to make our societies more prosperous, better connected, better educated, more sustainable, and better governed? If so, why is this happening, and how can Information Systems (IS) knowledge contribute to the larger conversation about more positive societal outcomes in the digital age? Our proposed research is a generative review of IS theories predicting societal outcomes. The research objective is to reconceptualize theories of the societal benefits of information systems. Gaps are identified between the positive predictions of early IS research, and the more mixed or negative societal trends associated with technology today. We highlight preliminary findings, including common themes (where does IS research keep getting it wrong?) and possible solutions that cut across multiple types of societal outcomes.
Paper Number
1835
Recommended Citation
Allen, Jonathan P., "The Unfulfilled Promise of the Digital Age: The Missing Societal Benefits of Information Systems" (2026). AMCIS 2026 Proceedings. 8.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/amcis2026/social_comput/social_comput/8
The Unfulfilled Promise of the Digital Age: The Missing Societal Benefits of Information Systems
Is the digital age falling short of its potential to make our societies more prosperous, better connected, better educated, more sustainable, and better governed? If so, why is this happening, and how can Information Systems (IS) knowledge contribute to the larger conversation about more positive societal outcomes in the digital age? Our proposed research is a generative review of IS theories predicting societal outcomes. The research objective is to reconceptualize theories of the societal benefits of information systems. Gaps are identified between the positive predictions of early IS research, and the more mixed or negative societal trends associated with technology today. We highlight preliminary findings, including common themes (where does IS research keep getting it wrong?) and possible solutions that cut across multiple types of societal outcomes.
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