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Big data insights into social macro trends (1800–2000): A replication study

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  • Roth, Steffen
  • Schwede, Peter
  • Valentinov, Vladislav
  • Žažar, Krešimir
  • Kaivo-oja, Jari

Abstract

Seeking to advance a big data approach to social theory, Roth et al. (2017) applied the Google Ngram Viewer to explore the way the evolution of the function systems of the modern society is reflected in the Google Books corpus. The authors produced a highly counterintuitive finding that the modern Western societies cannot be adequately described as capitalist. In order to respond to the controversies raised by this finding, the present article replicates Roth et al. (2017) study while using a superior plotting software that allows to control the risk that keyword strength can be biased due to the neglect of keyword quantity. Covering the English-, French-, and German-language corpora, the present replication effort has confirmed the existence of distinct trends exhibited by the individual function systems, such as secularization, the persistent dominance of the political system, and the relatively lesser role of the economic system. These results are largely consistent with those of Roth et al. (2017) and thus lend credence to the authors’ sceptical assessment of the validity of the capitalist semantics. The article concludes by pleading for the routinization of big data-driven checks of the modern social theories.

Suggested Citation

  • Roth, Steffen & Schwede, Peter & Valentinov, Vladislav & Žažar, Krešimir & Kaivo-oja, Jari, 2019. "Big data insights into social macro trends (1800–2000): A replication study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:149:y:2019:i:c:s0040162519311941
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119759
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. da Fonseca, André Luís A. & Chimenti, Paula & Campos, Roberta D., 2023. "‘Take my advice’: Entrepreneurial consumers and the ecosystemic logics of digital platforms," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Steffen Roth, 2023. "Digital transformation of management and organization theories: A research programme," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 40(3), pages 451-459, May.
    4. Acerbi, Alberto & Sacco, Pier Luigi, 2022. "The self-control vs. self-indulgence dilemma: A culturomic analysis of 20th century trends," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 101(C).
    5. Roth, Steffen, 2021. "The great reset of management and organization theory. A European perspective," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 538-544.
    6. Roth, Steffen, 2021. "The Great Reset. Restratification for lives, livelihoods, and the planet," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
    7. Le Ravalec, Mickaele & Rambaud, Alexandre & Blum, Véronique, 2022. "Taking climate change seriously: Time to credibly communicate on corporate climate performance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).

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