Employing the intellectual bandwidth model to measure value creation in collaborative environments

Nunamaker et at. (2001) introduced the intellectual bandwidth (IB) model as a research tool to help decision makers to better understand value creation. Bach et al. (2003) used the IB model to map value creation attributes of an information system in a conceptual real-world business case involving the diagnosis and treatment of HIV patients. This paper describes a methodological approach that enables practitioners to use the IB model to identify potential areas of value creation. It presents a pragmatic way of employing the IB model for the HIV information system and discusses possible ways to conceptualize, operationalize, and ultimately measure value creation in collaborative environments, such as those encountered in worldwide networked research environments. Technical and human aspects are inseparable factors for value creation in organizations. The technological aspects include the application of technology as well as organization concepts such as strategy. Human aspects include collaboration and the collaborative interplay between humans employing technology. With the IB model it is possible to emphasize the importance of both dimensions. This model makes pragmatic data analysis possible without requiring practitioners to deal with complicated statistical analyses. In this way research that is useful for theory and practice is possible.