Rafaeli, Sheizaf
Simulations in Internet Research:
Value and Sharing of Information, Social Facilitation, Friends and Neighbors
A PANEL
Abstract
This panel presents a series of related empirical / experimental sudies of online user behavior and interactions. The authors are scholars and doctoral students affiliated with the Center for the Study of the Information Society, at the University of Haifa, Israel. Common to all these papers is a focus on theoretical underpinnings of Internet use. We examine the interrelationship between users, information and system design. Each of the papers describes a research effort based on an underlying behavioral theory, the construction of an internet-based system, the recruitment of users for this system, and the recording and analysis of usage patterns. Included are systems that either simulate or implement business, organizational or learning contexts. Independent variables in the various systems studied in these papers include connectivity, social facilitation, sense and opportunity of ownership as availed through network arrangements, involvement, and advice (recommendation) algorithms. The dependent variables of interest include the subjective value of information, consumer behavior aspects, learning outcomes, team and organizational performance.
Two of the systems studied here, the online auctions and the "Lemonade Stand" simulations, are individual settings that express the presence or contribution of others, while the other two (the supply chain and recommender system studies) are actually multi-user systems. However, all four papers deal with the social perspectives, impacts and implications of internet-based activities. As such they highlight the interactive and dynamic aspects of online behavior and contribute to the evolution of theory about behavior in virtual environments.
The participants in this panel include:
Sheizaf Rafaeli, Center for the Study of the Information Society, University of Haifa
Yuval M. Dan-Gur, IDF and the University of Haifa
Avi Noy, Elbit Systems and the University of Haifa
Daphne R. Raban, Infopro and the University of Haifa
Gilad Ravid, The Open University and the University of Haifa