Big Data : The Birth and Distribution of a Novel Responsibility

Big data is perhaps one of the most influential phenomena of the 21st century that affects every inch of the economic system, yet management scholars are only beginning to investigate its relevance for theory and practice. This paper contributes to this discussion by presenting data as an emergent issue in need of responsibilization. After a brief overview of the big data topic and a variety of related challenges, we present three alternative frameworks through which issue evolution has been studied. Using insights from strategic responses to institutional pressures, strategic issues management, and wicked problem framing, we formulate a framework through which to look at big data, which we refer to simply as a responsibilization process. We then use this process that consists of triggers, frames, actions, elevation, and distribution, to shed light on the driving forces behind data responsibility and integrate insights from various interviews with IBM representatives as a litmus test of our responsibilization process