E-Participation and Sustainability

The sorting of municipal waste is an important but neglected topic in sustainability-oriented information systems research. As waste management systems depend on citizens pre-sorting waste correctly, it is important to enhance knowledge and awareness. Gamification represents an auspicious approach to address this problem, having already demonstrated promising results in other contexts in terms of increasing learning success and motivation. Our previous research investigated the effectiveness of gameful design on learning outcomes regarding waste sorting knowledge using a mobile app that integrates the learning strategies of repetition and elaboration. In a laboratory experiment, the learning outcomes of participants who trained using the game were compared with those who used standard analogue non-game materials. In addition, the effects of the design elements of repetition and look-up were analysed. The results show significant improvements in learning outcomes across all measures, with look-up is found to be a promising design element that is not yet established in IS.

In our current research we are addressing the low level of public participation in local decision-making processes, particularly in the field of urban planning. Given the high complexity of construction plans, broad and inclusive participation is difficult to achieve. Together with Dr. Jonas Fegert, we are investigating the extent to which xReality (XR) technologies can enhance public participation. Using the Design Science Research (DSR) approach, we are deriving meta-requirements and design principles for inclusive, XR-based e-participation. Through three design cycles and three empirical studies, we are developing and evaluating a participatory XR artefact. We demonstrate how XR can support fairer and more effective citizen participation in the metaverse. The findings contribute to the development of inclusive e-participation tools and highlight key expectations held by both citizens and public-sector stakeholders. This research is related to the take part project.