Inchan Kim

Research for Everyone

A lot of academic writing is dense and full of jargon. On this page, I explain the ideas behind my research in plain language and focus on one simple question: why should a non-academic care?

How We Talk About Technology

Stories Shape What We Build

How everyday people influence the future of technology

One line of my research looks at how people talk about new tech (for example, fitness trackers on social media) and how those conversations add up to a shared story about what the technology is “for.” This shared story influences what products companies build, how regulators react, and what customers expect.

Why it matters: When we think technology is only shaped by big companies or experts, we overlook the power of everyday users. Our tweets, reviews, and conversations are not just reactions—they help decide which technologies thrive and how they are used.

When Hype Helps (and Hurts)

From excitement to disappointment and back again

I also study how enthusiasm, skepticism, and criticism rise and fall around technologies over time. There is often a wave of early excitement, followed by frustration or backlash, and sometimes a more balanced view emerges later.

Why it matters: Understanding these cycles can help consumers make smarter choices, help entrepreneurs time their products better, and help policymakers avoid over-reacting to hype or panic.

Platforms, Apps, and Entrepreneurs

Life Inside App Ecosystems

Why developers stay (or leave) digital platforms

Some of my work examines app developers who build on platforms like mobile app stores. I look at what keeps them engaged, what pushes them away, and how platform rules and revenue-sharing shape their decisions.

Why it matters: Healthy app ecosystems depend on independent developers. If the rules feel unfair or unstable, innovation slows down and users get fewer choices.

How Mission Guides Digital Strategy

Why a company's purpose still matters in a digital world

I study how a company’s mission—its underlying purpose—guides the way it builds and evolves digital platforms. Even in fast-moving, high-tech markets, the mission can explain why two firms facing the same disruption respond very differently.

Why it matters: For entrepreneurs and leaders, digital strategy is not just about copying the latest trend. It works best when it fits the deeper values and goals of the organization.

Money, Responsibility, and Inclusion

Do Diversity and Inclusion Affect Markets?

DEI initiatives and stock prices

Another stream of my research asks how corporate efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are viewed by financial markets—especially when the rights of vulnerable groups are under political pressure.

Why it matters: These projects speak to a basic question: are social and ethical commitments “nice-to-have,” or do they shape how investors value firms and how society responds in times of tension?

Beyond Short-Term Numbers

ESG, long-term value, and real people

I look at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives not just as checkboxes, but as choices that affect employees, customers, and communities over time.

Why it matters: For students, investors, and citizens, it is helpful to see how financial outcomes and social outcomes are linked instead of being treated as opposites.

AI and Digital Data as a Lens

Using Data to Study the Digital World

From tweets to platforms to markets

Many of my projects use large-scale digital traces (such as social media posts or platform data) combined with advanced analytics and AI techniques. The goal is not just to build models, but to learn something meaningful about people, organizations, and society.

Why it matters: Our lives are increasingly recorded in digital form. Thoughtful use of these data can help us understand emerging issues early, while still being mindful of ethics, bias, and privacy.

Want to Learn More?

If you are a student, practitioner, or simply curious about these topics, feel free to reach out: i.kim@unh.edu. I am always happy to discuss research ideas, student projects, and connections to practice.