Paper Type
Complete
Paper Number
PACIS2025-1640
Description
Data cooperatives (DCs) are member-owned enterprises where members collectively manage and benefit from their pooled data. While DCs offer a promising alternative to power asymmetries and data practices in the dominant corporate platform paradigm, many data cooperatives encounter challenges and often struggle to sustain themselves. Existing research in this area remains conceptual and research investigating DCs’ evolution and sustainability over time is needed. This paper presents a multi-case study of six DCs, examining factors influencing their longevity or dissolution. The case study unveils four potential factors: (1) funding and financial constraints, (2) the environment and context where the DC is situated, (3) value proposition and incentives structure, and (4) autonomy/dependency on large corporate platforms and technology. By moving beyond conceptualization of the rapidly emerging phenomenon of DCs, this study contributes to interdisciplinary and IS research. The findings offer practical insights into the development and sustainability of current and future DCs.
Recommended Citation
Petreski, Davor; Marjanovic, Olivera; and Cheong, Marc, "What makes and breaks Data Cooperatives? A multi-case study of barriers and enablers" (2025). PACIS 2025 Proceedings. 6.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2025/dig_plat/di/6
What makes and breaks Data Cooperatives? A multi-case study of barriers and enablers
Data cooperatives (DCs) are member-owned enterprises where members collectively manage and benefit from their pooled data. While DCs offer a promising alternative to power asymmetries and data practices in the dominant corporate platform paradigm, many data cooperatives encounter challenges and often struggle to sustain themselves. Existing research in this area remains conceptual and research investigating DCs’ evolution and sustainability over time is needed. This paper presents a multi-case study of six DCs, examining factors influencing their longevity or dissolution. The case study unveils four potential factors: (1) funding and financial constraints, (2) the environment and context where the DC is situated, (3) value proposition and incentives structure, and (4) autonomy/dependency on large corporate platforms and technology. By moving beyond conceptualization of the rapidly emerging phenomenon of DCs, this study contributes to interdisciplinary and IS research. The findings offer practical insights into the development and sustainability of current and future DCs.
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