Recently, a very prominent addition to the internet related vocabulary has been introduced: the Web 2.0. The term was originally coined by Dale Dougherty of O'Reilly Media in summer 2004 and emerged while brainstorming on a name for an innovative internet conference. The emergence of Web 2.0 as an important novum to the internet community gets obvious to the user just by browsing the internet. The term seems to have become a ubiquitous buzzword. Unfortunately the term has been hyped without a collective understanding and clear cut definitions are missing. Gaining a vital understanding of the influences of the Web 2.0 on the social and (macro-) economical context is being hindered by this lack of clear understanding.
Some concepts for defining the Web 2.0 already exist. Authors already took the complex nature of Web 2.0 into account and developed models distinguishing different dimensions of the new Web. But there is still demand for a comprehensive model grasping
as many related features and topics as possible. This paper suggests a three layer model to embrace the full extent of the new Web. To develop such a model, extensive studies on current literature, which was to a major part available only online, have been conducted. The most important issues regarding conception and layout of the Web have
been identified and integrated into the “Web 2.0 Navigator”. Therefore all occurring issues have been grouped and arranged to a three layer model, differentiating the technological layer, the conceptual layer and the application layer. While the technological
layer displays the Web 2.0 as an architecture, the conceptual layer covers the philosophy, which is considered by the author as the central innovation around Web 2.0. The application layer finally is a collection of widely used services and applications around
the web, which have been developed hand in hand with the architecture and have been strongly promoting the rise of the Web 2.0.
The intention of this paper is to suggest a clear-cut definition of the Web 2.0 to allow for an accurate understanding. Furthermore the developed model is used to examine evident and possible effects on the social and macro-economical environment and derive implications.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
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1 Introduction
- 1.1 Problem Definition and Motivation
- 1.2 Research Design and Methodology
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2 Approaching Web 2.0
- 2.1 Definitions and Origin of the Term
- 2.2 Central Ideas of Web 2.0
- 2.3 Semantic Web and Web2.0
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3 Web 2.0 Navigator – a Three Layer Model for Web 2.0
- 3.1 Developing the Web 2.0 Navigator
- 3.2 Technological Layer
- 3.2.1 AJAX
- 3.2.2 XML
- 3.2.3 API
- 3.2.4 RSS
- 3.2.5 SPARQL and RDF
- 3.3 Conceptual Layer
- 3.3.1 User Participation
- 3.3.2 Social Networks and Communities
- 3.3.3 Collective Intelligence and Group Decision Making
- 3.3.4 Folksonomy (Tagging)
- 3.3.5 Long Tail
- 3.3.6 Mash Ups
- 3.4 Application Layer
- 3.4.1 Online Community Systems
- 3.4.2 Blogs
- 3.4.3 Corporate Blogs
- 3.4.4 Wikis
- 3.4.5 Case: Wikipedia.org
- 3.4.6 Instant Messaging
- 3.4.7 VOIP
4 Social Effects
- 4.1 Social Life
- 4.2 Social Capital
- 4.2.1 Study: How the Internet is Affecting Social Capital
- 4.2.2 Case: Campaigns Wikia - Web 2.0 in Politics
- 4.3.1 Web 2.0 and Education
- 4.3.2 Case: Educational Blogs for University Students
- 4.4.1 Social Commerce - Social Networks and the Transparent Product
- 4.4.2 Case: Spreadshirt – Splitting Trade and Distribution
5 Macro-economical Effects
- 5.1 Economical Opportunities
- 5.1.1 Economical Opportunities – Harvesting Global Cooperation
- 5.1.2 Case: InnoCentive - The Future of Corporate R&D
- 5.2.1 Digital Divide – the Gap between High-Tech and No-Tech
- 5.2.2 Case: One Laptop per Child - The 100$ Laptop
6 Outlook and Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation explores the broader implications of Web 2.0, venturing beyond its technical aspects to examine its social and macro-economic impacts. The author investigates how Web 2.0, with its emphasis on user participation, social networks, and collective intelligence, is shaping social life, education, commerce, and the global economy.
- The evolution and characteristics of Web 2.0
- The social impact of Web 2.0, including its effects on social capital, e-learning, and social commerce
- The macro-economic implications of Web 2.0, including opportunities for global cooperation and the digital divide
- The application of Web 2.0 technologies and concepts in various domains
- The potential future developments and challenges posed by Web 2.0
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The dissertation begins by introducing the concept of Web 2.0, defining its key characteristics, and outlining the research methodology. Chapter 2 delves into the origins and definitions of Web 2.0, emphasizing its central ideas and comparing it with the Semantic Web.
Chapter 3 presents a comprehensive model for Web 2.0, the "Web 2.0 Navigator," which is structured into three layers: technological, conceptual, and application. This model provides a framework for understanding the diverse technologies, concepts, and applications associated with Web 2.0.
Chapter 4 explores the social effects of Web 2.0, examining its influence on social life, social capital, e-learning, and social commerce. The chapter includes case studies of online communities, educational blogs, and social commerce platforms.
Chapter 5 analyzes the macro-economic implications of Web 2.0, focusing on the opportunities for global cooperation and the challenges posed by the digital divide. Case studies illustrate how Web 2.0 is transforming corporate research and development, as well as education in developing countries.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The dissertation centers around the core concepts of Web 2.0, user participation, social networks, collective intelligence, social capital, e-learning, social commerce, global cooperation, digital divide, and the macro-economic implications of technology.
- Quote paper
- Dipl.-Kfm. Christian Laase (Author), 2006, Web 2.0 in a Bigger Context – Social and Macro-economical Implications, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/73982
