Cities and quality of life. Quantitative modelling of the emergence of the happiness field in urban studies

Where we live affects all aspects of our life and thus our happiness. In recent years, and now for more than half of the population of the Earth, our place of residence or activity has been increasingly transformed into an urban one. However, while the impact of happiness studies has grown in importance during the last twenty years, we note that concepts like subjective well-being or happiness itself find it difficult to penetrate the planning and design of cities and truly affect the field of urban studies. In this paper we map the temporal evolution of the fields of happiness and urban studies into dynamic networks obtained by paper keywords co-word analysis. In order to reproduce the changes in its topology, a one-parameter spatial network model is presented. The results suggest an explanation for the level of penetration of these two fields in particular, but they also explain how different related academic or scientific fields evolve and pervade each other as a function of “conceptual distances” which in this case are mapped into Euclidean ones. The results and methodologies developed in the context of the happiness and urban studies keyword network could be useful for a systematic study of other complex evolving networks.Preprin

Citation Analyses in Information Systems

Few scientists that specialize in information systems would recognize the name one of the field’s most cited authors, Ike Antkare. It is not that Antkare is from an obscure discipline. This aberration is the result of a vulnerability of citation analyses. A vulnerability proven with a computer program. Today, funding, promotion and tenure extension depend on the results of these analyses. This paper explores the nature of citation analyses in the information systems (IS) field and classifies them based on an adapted framework of Zupic and Cater (2015). The results illustrate two types of citation analyses. The first type contains ranking studies using measures of the h-family index calculated on citation networks. The second type involves co-citation analysis applying cluster or factor analysis to determine the intellectual structure, trajectory or maturity

Cities and quality of life. Quantitative modeling of the emergence of the happiness field in urban studies

Where we live affects all aspects of our life and thus our happiness. In recent years, and now for more than half of the population of the Earth, our place of residence or activity has been increasingly transformed into an urban one. However, while the impact of happiness studies has grown in importance during the last twenty years, we note that happiness-related concepts find it difficult to penetrate the planning and design of cities, and affect the field of urban studies. In this paper, we map the temporal evolution of the fields of happiness and urban studies into dynamic networks obtained by paper keywords co-occurrence analysis. We identify the main concepts of the “urban happiness” field and their capacity to agglomerate into coherent thematic clusters. We find that while quality of life and well-being are highly interconnected with some well-defined urban categories, other happiness-related concepts, as subjective well-being or happiness itself, are located in peripheral positions where their influence is minimised. We present a one-parameter spatial network model in order to reproduce the changes in the topology of these networks. Results explain the evolution and the level of interpenetration of these two fields as a function of “conceptual” distances, mapped into Euclidean ones. In addition to other approaches (i.e., co-frequency matrix of bibliometric analysis), complex networks science appears as a valid alternative and opens the way for the systematic study of other academic fields in terms of complex evolving networks.Peer ReviewedPostprint (author's final draft

Mapping child–computer interaction research through co-word analysis

This paper employs hierarchical clustering, strategic diagrams, and network analysis to construct an intellectual map of the Child–Computer Interaction research field (CCI) and to visualize the thematic landscape of this field using co-word analysis. This approach assumes that an article’s keywords constitute an adequate description of its content and reflect the topics that the article covers. It also assumes that the co-occurrence of two or more keywords within the same article indicates a linkage between those topics. This study quantifies the thematic landscape of the CCI field and elaborates on emerging topics as these are manifested in publications in the two primary venues of the CCI field, namely the proceedings of the annual IDC conference and the International Journal of CCI. Overall, a total of 1059 articles, and their respective 2445 unique, author-assigned keywords, are included in our analyses — all papers have been published between 2003 and 2018. The results indicate that the community has focused (i.e., high frequency keywords) in areas including Participatory Design, Tangibles, Design, Education, Coding, and Making. These areas also demonstrate a high degree of ”coreness” (i.e., connection with different topics) and ”constraint” (i.e., connection with otherwise isolated topics). The analysis also highlights well-structured yet peripheral topics, as well as topics that are either marginally interesting, or have the potential to become of major importance to the entire research network in the near future. Limitations of the approach and future work plans conclude the paper

The “Theoretical Lens” Concept: We All Know What it Means, but do We All Know the Same Thing?

The term theoretical lens has grown in usage in business and social science research and particularly in the information systems (IS) discipline. In this paper, we question what the term really means by examining it on several dimensions in the context of its actual use. In particular, we consider 1) where the term appears in each paper, 2) how many conceptualizations of theoretical lens each paper uses, 3) the research method the paper uses, 4) the IS domain the paper considers, and 5) which underlying conceptualizations the paper actually uses. To do so, we examine the full set of actual uses in the IS journal that uses the term most frequently, the European Journal of Information Systems. We conclude by discussing several further questions that these observations raise, which suggest deeper issues about better and less advantageous uses of theoretical lenses in IS research and what these issues might imply for the IS discipline

Mapping the evolution of e-commerce research through co-word analysis : 2001–2020

This current study examines how research themes and trends have developed in the e-commerce field, aiming to provide a comprehensive understanding of e-commerce research based on prior literature. To answer this question, the current study applied a bibliometric method, word co-occurrence (co-word) analysis, to identify core research themes and trends in the e-commerce field, based on 17,416 author-provided keywords collected from 3,284 academic articles published between 2001 and 2020 in seven major journals in e-commerce field. Specifically, the data were analyzed based on two periods: 2001–2010 and 2011–2020. We found that the research themes in the e-commerce field have evolved alongside technology's development and diffusion. Some research themes, such as recommended system and eGovernment, have persisted as important research themes and studied continuously over the 20 years studied. Some research themes studied in 2001–2010, such as B2C and XML, disappeared in 2011–2020, whereas some new research topics, such as cloud computing, mobile technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, emerged in recent years. This study provides a good understanding of e-commerce research's evolution, as well as useful suggestions to direct future research by scholars in the e-commerce field.publishedVersionPeer reviewe

Assessing sustainability in cities : a complexity science approach to the concept of happiness for the urban environment

Where we live affects all aspects of our life and thus our happiness. In recent years, and now for more than half of the Earth’s population, our place of residence or activity has been increasingly transformed into an urban one. We start our quest for happiness using bibliometric research to investigate it framework as scientists constructed it during the past years. We detect that while the impact of happiness studies has grown in importance during the last twenty years, happiness-related concepts find it difficult to penetrate the urban studies field of studies. We map the temporal evolution of both happiness and urban studies fields into dynamic networks obtained by paper keywords co-occurrence analysis. We identify the main concepts of “urban happiness” field and their capacity to agglomerate into coherent thematic clusters. We present a one-parameter spatial network model to reproduce the changes in the topology of these networks. Results explain the evolution and the level of interpenetration of these two fields as a function of “conceptual” distances, mapped into Euclidean ones. Complex networks science appears as a valid alternative to other approaches (i.e., co-frequency matrix of bibliometric analysis), and opens the way for the systematic study of other academic fields in terms of complex evolving networks. We then present a methodology based on Max-Neef, et al. (1991) “human scale development” paradigm to measure current levels of Quality of Life (QoL) for urban environments. We use the fundamental human needs as our study domains. Drawing on the cases of Vila de Gràcia neighbourhood and Virreina square of Barcelona, we assess their fulfilment with a set of questions reflecting the subjective dimension of QoL. We use two consecutive processes to sort questions into needs: a qualitative involving local communities and/or expert groups, and a quantitative involving the definition of weights for each question and per need. We add objective indicators to reflect the objective dimension of QoL. We compare the two dimensions and define an integrative QoL. We identify intervention axes for a potential improvement in the results. We argue that this method can be used to define more holistic urban quality indexes to improve decision making processes, policies and plans. It is a tool to enhance bottom-up approaches and processes of urban analysis to create more liveable places for the dwellers. Next, we present a methodology based on weighted networks and dependence coefficients aimed at revealing connectivity patterns between categories. Using the same case studies and human needs as our categories we show that diverse spatial levels present different and nontrivial patterns of need emergence. A numerical model indicates that these patterns depend on the probability distribution of weights. We suggest that this way of analysing the connectivity of categories (human needs in our case study) in social and ecological systems can be used to define new strategies to cope with complex processes, such as those related to transition management and governance, urban-making, and integrated planning. We conclude our journey with applications that show the strength of collective response regarding social matters. We study dwellers perceptions through the following cases: experimental activities in the public space, discourse analysis and reaction on emerging urban phenomena such as the massive migration of population in the Mediterranean during 2015.Donde vivimos afecta todos los aspectos de nuestra vida y, por lo tanto, nuestra felicidad. En los últimos años, y para más de la mitad de la población de la Tierra, nuestro lugar de residencia o actividad se transforma a uno urbano. Comenzamos nuestra búsqueda de la felicidad aplicando investigación bibliométrica para investigar el marco su tal como lo construyeron los científicos durante los últimos años. Detectamos que si bien el impacto de los estudios de la felicidad ha crecido en importancia durante los últimos veinte años, los conceptos relacionados con la felicidad tienen dificultades en penetrar el campo de los estudios urbanos. Mapeamos la evolución temporal de los campos de felicidad y estudios urbanos en redes dinámicas obtenidas mediante análisis de coocurrencia de palabras clave en artículos científicos. Identificamos los conceptos principales del campo de "felicidad urbana" y su capacidad para aglomerarse en grupos temáticos coherentes. Presentamos un modelo de red espacial de un parámetro para reproducir los cambios en la topología de estas redes. Los resultados explican la evolución y el nivel de interpenetración de estos dos campos en función de las distancias "conceptuales", mapeadas en euclidianas. La ciencia de redes complejas aparece como una alternativa válida a otros enfoques (p.e., matriz de frecuencia conjunta de análisis bibliométrico) y abre el camino para el estudio sistemático de otros campos académicos en términos de redes complejas en evolución. A continuación presentamos una metodología basada en el paradigma de Max-Neef, et al. (1991) de "desarrollo a escala humana" para medir los niveles actuales de calidad de vida en entornos urbanos. Utilizamos las necesidades humanas fundamentales como nuestros campos de estudio. Basados en los casos del barrio de Vila de Gràcia y la plaza Virreina de Barcelona, evaluamos el cumplimiento de un conjunto de preguntas que reflejan la dimensión subjetiva de la calidad de vida. Utilizamos dos procesos consecutivos para clasificar las preguntas en necesidades: una cualitativa que involucra a las comunidades locales y / o grupos de expertos, y una cuantitativa que involucra la definición de pesos para cada pregunta y por necesidad. Agregamos indicadores objetivos para reflejar la dimensión objetiva de la calidad de vida. Comparamos las dos dimensiones y definimos una calidad de vida integrativa. Identificamos ejes de intervención para conseguir una posible mejora en los resultados. Argumentamos que este método puede usarse para definir índices de calidad urbana más holísticos para mejorar los procesos, políticas y planes de toma de decisiones. Es una herramienta para dinamizar los enfoques desde la base (bottom-up) y los procesos de análisis urbano para crear lugares más vivibles para los habitantes. Seguimos con una metodología basada en redes ponderadas y coeficientes de dependencia destinados a revelar patrones de conectividad entre categorías. Usando los mismos casos de estudio y las necesidades humanas como nuestras categorías, mostramos que diversos niveles espaciales presentan patrones de emergencia diferentes y no triviales. Un modelo numérico indica que estos patrones dependen de la distribución de probabilidad de los pesos. Sugerimos que esta forma de analizar la conectividad de las categorías (necesidades humanas en nuestro caso de estudio) en los sistemas socio-ecológicos se puede utilizar para definir nuevas estrategias para hacer frente a procesos complejos, como los relacionados con la gestión de la transición y la gobernanza, la construcción urbana y planificación integrada. Concluimos nuestro viaje con aplicaciones que muestran la fuerza de la respuesta colectiva en asuntos social. Estudiamos percepciones de habitantes a través de los siguientes casos: actividades experimentales en el espacio público, análisis del discurso y reacción ante fenómenos urbanos emergentes, como la migración masiva en el Mediterraneo durante 201

Assessing sustainability in cities : a complexity science approach to the concept of happiness for the urban environment

Where we live affects all aspects of our life and thus our happiness. In recent years, and now for more than half of the Earth’s population, our place of residence or activity has been increasingly transformed into an urban one. We start our quest for happiness using bibliometric research to investigate it framework as scientists constructed it during the past years. We detect that while the impact of happiness studies has grown in importance during the last twenty years, happiness-related concepts find it difficult to penetrate the urban studies field of studies. We map the temporal evolution of both happiness and urban studies fields into dynamic networks obtained by paper keywords co-occurrence analysis. We identify the main concepts of “urban happiness” field and their capacity to agglomerate into coherent thematic clusters. We present a one-parameter spatial network model to reproduce the changes in the topology of these networks. Results explain the evolution and the level of interpenetration of these two fields as a function of “conceptual” distances, mapped into Euclidean ones. Complex networks science appears as a valid alternative to other approaches (i.e., co-frequency matrix of bibliometric analysis), and opens the way for the systematic study of other academic fields in terms of complex evolving networks. We then present a methodology based on Max-Neef, et al. (1991) “human scale development” paradigm to measure current levels of Quality of Life (QoL) for urban environments. We use the fundamental human needs as our study domains. Drawing on the cases of Vila de Gràcia neighbourhood and Virreina square of Barcelona, we assess their fulfilment with a set of questions reflecting the subjective dimension of QoL. We use two consecutive processes to sort questions into needs: a qualitative involving local communities and/or expert groups, and a quantitative involving the definition of weights for each question and per need. We add objective indicators to reflect the objective dimension of QoL. We compare the two dimensions and define an integrative QoL. We identify intervention axes for a potential improvement in the results. We argue that this method can be used to define more holistic urban quality indexes to improve decision making processes, policies and plans. It is a tool to enhance bottom-up approaches and processes of urban analysis to create more liveable places for the dwellers. Next, we present a methodology based on weighted networks and dependence coefficients aimed at revealing connectivity patterns between categories. Using the same case studies and human needs as our categories we show that diverse spatial levels present different and nontrivial patterns of need emergence. A numerical model indicates that these patterns depend on the probability distribution of weights. We suggest that this way of analysing the connectivity of categories (human needs in our case study) in social and ecological systems can be used to define new strategies to cope with complex processes, such as those related to transition management and governance, urban-making, and integrated planning. We conclude our journey with applications that show the strength of collective response regarding social matters. We study dwellers perceptions through the following cases: experimental activities in the public space, discourse analysis and reaction on emerging urban phenomena such as the massive migration of population in the Mediterranean during 2015.Donde vivimos afecta todos los aspectos de nuestra vida y, por lo tanto, nuestra felicidad. En los últimos años, y para más de la mitad de la población de la Tierra, nuestro lugar de residencia o actividad se transforma a uno urbano. Comenzamos nuestra búsqueda de la felicidad aplicando investigación bibliométrica para investigar el marco su tal como lo construyeron los científicos durante los últimos años. Detectamos que si bien el impacto de los estudios de la felicidad ha crecido en importancia durante los últimos veinte años, los conceptos relacionados con la felicidad tienen dificultades en penetrar el campo de los estudios urbanos. Mapeamos la evolución temporal de los campos de felicidad y estudios urbanos en redes dinámicas obtenidas mediante análisis de coocurrencia de palabras clave en artículos científicos. Identificamos los conceptos principales del campo de "felicidad urbana" y su capacidad para aglomerarse en grupos temáticos coherentes. Presentamos un modelo de red espacial de un parámetro para reproducir los cambios en la topología de estas redes. Los resultados explican la evolución y el nivel de interpenetración de estos dos campos en función de las distancias "conceptuales", mapeadas en euclidianas. La ciencia de redes complejas aparece como una alternativa válida a otros enfoques (p.e., matriz de frecuencia conjunta de análisis bibliométrico) y abre el camino para el estudio sistemático de otros campos académicos en términos de redes complejas en evolución. A continuación presentamos una metodología basada en el paradigma de Max-Neef, et al. (1991) de "desarrollo a escala humana" para medir los niveles actuales de calidad de vida en entornos urbanos. Utilizamos las necesidades humanas fundamentales como nuestros campos de estudio. Basados en los casos del barrio de Vila de Gràcia y la plaza Virreina de Barcelona, evaluamos el cumplimiento de un conjunto de preguntas que reflejan la dimensión subjetiva de la calidad de vida. Utilizamos dos procesos consecutivos para clasificar las preguntas en necesidades: una cualitativa que involucra a las comunidades locales y / o grupos de expertos, y una cuantitativa que involucra la definición de pesos para cada pregunta y por necesidad. Agregamos indicadores objetivos para reflejar la dimensión objetiva de la calidad de vida. Comparamos las dos dimensiones y definimos una calidad de vida integrativa. Identificamos ejes de intervención para conseguir una posible mejora en los resultados. Argumentamos que este método puede usarse para definir índices de calidad urbana más holísticos para mejorar los procesos, políticas y planes de toma de decisiones. Es una herramienta para dinamizar los enfoques desde la base (bottom-up) y los procesos de análisis urbano para crear lugares más vivibles para los habitantes. Seguimos con una metodología basada en redes ponderadas y coeficientes de dependencia destinados a revelar patrones de conectividad entre categorías. Usando los mismos casos de estudio y las necesidades humanas como nuestras categorías, mostramos que diversos niveles espaciales presentan patrones de emergencia diferentes y no triviales. Un modelo numérico indica que estos patrones dependen de la distribución de probabilidad de los pesos. Sugerimos que esta forma de analizar la conectividad de las categorías (necesidades humanas en nuestro caso de estudio) en los sistemas socio-ecológicos se puede utilizar para definir nuevas estrategias para hacer frente a procesos complejos, como los relacionados con la gestión de la transición y la gobernanza, la construcción urbana y planificación integrada. Concluimos nuestro viaje con aplicaciones que muestran la fuerza de la respuesta colectiva en asuntos social. Estudiamos percepciones de habitantes a través de los siguientes casos: actividades experimentales en el espacio público, análisis del discurso y reacción ante fenómenos urbanos emergentes, como la migración masiva en el Mediterraneo durante 2015Postprint (published version