Behavior Change Support Systems: The Next Frontier for Web Science

Abstract

The new generation of the web has opened up opportunities for developing new kinds of information systems for influencing users. For instance, one of the most prominent areas for future healthcare improvement is the role of the web in fostering improved health and healthier lifestyles. The success or failure of web information systems seems to rely on their social features. For this reason, a better understanding of the techno-social aspects of web information systems and the way they influence people is needed. This article is conceptual and theory-creating by its nature. It introduces the concept of a behavior change support system and suggests it as a key construct for web science research. The behavior change support systems are characterized by their persuasive purpose.