Host: Welcome to A.I.S. Insights, the podcast where we connect academic research with real-world business strategy, powered by Living Knowledge. I'm your host, Anna Ivy Summers.
Host: Today, we’re diving into how we think about a concept so fundamental we often overlook it: space. With us is our expert analyst, Alex Ian Sutherland, to unpack a fascinating study. Alex, welcome.
Expert: Great to be here, Anna.
Host: The study we're discussing is titled, "Research Perspectives: An Encompassing Framework for Conceptualizing Space in Information Systems." That’s a mouthful! In simple terms, what's it about?
Expert: It’s about creating a better, more comprehensive way for us to think and talk about 'space' when we design and use technology. It develops a framework that organizes our understanding of space into four distinct themes.
Host: So, let's start with the big problem. Why do we need a new way to think about space? Isn’t it just… where things are?
Expert: That's the common view, but it's limiting. Think about it. We talk about "cyberspace," virtual reality worlds, remote work collaboration spaces, and even the "cloud" which sounds like it's nowhere.
Host: Right, those aren't physical locations in the traditional sense.
Expert: Exactly. The problem is that the field of Information Systems hasn’t had a sophisticated, unified way to conceptualize all these different kinds of spaces. This gap can limit our ability to innovate and truly understand how technology impacts our lives and our businesses.
Host: So how did the researchers tackle such a huge, abstract concept? What was their approach?
Expert: They didn't conduct a lab experiment. Instead, they performed an extensive review of research from many different fields—philosophy, social geography, psychology—to see how experts in those areas have thought about space over the centuries. They then synthesized all of those powerful ideas into a single, cohesive framework for the tech world.
Host: And what was the main outcome of that synthesis? What did they find?
Expert: They found that our understanding of space can be organized into four key themes. The first is what they call **Representing Space**.
Host: What does that mean in practice?
Expert: This is the most familiar one. It’s space as a container or a map. Think of a GPS route, the geographical boundaries of a sales territory, or even the layout of a physical office. It’s measurable and has clear borders.
Host: Okay, that makes sense. What's the second theme?
Expert: The second is **Differentiating Space**. This views space as a social construct. It’s not just a container; it’s shaped by the people and interactions within it. A great business example is a dedicated Slack channel for a project team or a specific online community of customers.
Host: So, it’s about how we create a sense of place and community through our interactions?
Expert: Precisely. The third theme builds on that. It's called **Disclosing Space**. This is space as an enabler—a setting that allows new possibilities and actions to emerge. A well-designed digital whiteboard for brainstorming can "disclose" new ideas that wouldn't have emerged otherwise.
Host: I like that idea. A space that creates potential. And the final theme?
Expert: The final one is **Intuitive Space**. This is all about how space is felt or sensed. It's not about measurable miles, but about perceived closeness. Think about the immersive feeling of a virtual reality training simulation, or that feeling of being "distant" from colleagues on a video call, even if they're just a few miles away.
Host: That’s a powerful distinction. So we have space as a map, as a social community, as an enabler, and as a feeling. Alex, this is academically fascinating, but why does this framework matter for business leaders?
Expert: This is the crucial part. It’s a practical toolkit for strategy and innovation. Let's take product development. When creating a new metaverse platform or a remote work tool, most companies only think in terms of Representing Space—the features and functions.
Host: But you're saying they should think about the other themes?
Expert: Yes. How will this tool function as a Differentiating Space that builds a unique company culture? How will it be a Disclosing Space that sparks creativity? What is the Intuitive Space like—does it feel connected or isolating? Asking these questions leads to fundamentally better, more human-centric products.
Host: Can you give another example?
Expert: Absolutely. Consider customer behavior. The study talks about understanding phenomena like online "echo chambers." Using this framework, a marketing team can better analyze the digital spaces where their customers form opinions. They're not just demographic points on a map; they are members of social, differentiating spaces that influence their buying decisions.
Host: It’s about understanding the context, not just the customer.
Expert: Exactly. And finally, it's critical for the future of work. An office is no longer just a floor plan. Companies struggling with hybrid models can use this framework to redesign their physical and digital workspaces to intentionally foster collaboration, connection, and innovation across all four themes of space.
Host: Fantastic. So, to summarize for our listeners, it seems the key takeaway is that 'space' is far more than just location, especially in our digital world.
Host: This study gives us a powerful framework with four lenses—Representing, Differentiating, Disclosing, and Intuitive space—to get a more complete picture. And using this richer view can help businesses build better products, understand customers more deeply, and design more effective workplaces for the future.
Host: Alex, thank you so much for breaking down this complex topic into such clear, actionable insights.
Expert: My pleasure, Anna. It’s a topic with huge implications.
Host: That’s all the time we have for today on A.I.S. Insights. Join us next time as we continue to explore the ideas shaping the future of business. Thanks for listening.