Digital Technologies and Their Influence on Spaces

Abstract

While spaces are an important theoretical concept in various research fields, the influence of digitalization on spaces is unclear. Owing to their unique characteristics, digital technologies may shape spaces differently, limiting the applicability of existing theories. To examine whether this is in fact the case, we conduct a systematic literature review, revealing that digital technologies lead to what we call “digital spaces”. These are digitally open, i.e. they use digital technologies to blur boundaries between themselves and other physical or virtual spaces. Based on this insight, we provide an agenda for further research on digital spaces covering empirical validation; development of a digital spaces theory; methodical approaches to analyze digital spaces; design, constitution, reconfiguration, and discontinuance of digital spaces; interplay of different sub-spaces and boundaries in a digital space; shape and role of boundaries in digital spaces; and technologies in digital spaces.

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