M.D. Lytras et al. (Eds.): WSKS 2011, CCIS 278, pp. 546–556, 2012. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2012 The Role of ICT in the New (Virtual) Working Space An Empirical Investigation on Enterprise 2.0 Mariano Corso 1 , Luca Gastaldi 1 , and Antonella Martini 2 1 Polytechnic of Milano, P.zza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy {Mariano.Corso,Luca.Gastaldi}@polimi.it 2 University of Pisa, Via Diotisalvi 2, 56100 Pisa, Italy A.Martini@ing.unipi.it Purpose. The article explores how ICT supports the open enterprise approach, which is emerging empirically as one of Enterprise 2.0 model. More specifi- cally, it explores (1) the applications characteristics - in terms of drivers and barriers - adopted by companies to support E2.0, and (2) the different ways of integrating applications in the E2.0. Design/methodology/approach. The article is based on evidence from 52 case studies. In addition, an online community (Enterprise20.it) was developed in order to promptly receive cues and suggestions to refine the research. Findings. Four application areas for the E2.0 have been identified and explored in details, in terms of the main sponsors of the initiatives, the motivations and the barriers to introduction of E2.0. For each area, different levels of maturity have been identified, and explicative variables discussed. Four different levels of integration of the approaches to E2.0 emerged, each representing a different integrating path. Practical implications. The article provides empirically grounded and actiona- ble knowledge (guidelines) for companies to design and implement new ICT- enabled (virtual) working environments able to extend the boundaries of their knowledge creation to their mobile workers, customers and suppliers. Originality/value. The article, which is based on evidence from the E2.0 Ob- servatory in Italy, reports an extensive empirical investigation of the phenome- non during three years and proposes a framework to interpret the E2.0. It breaks up the open box, highlighting the role of ICT in terms of processes and gover- nance approaches. Keywords: ICT-driven innovation; enterprise 2.0; case studies. 1 Introduction The term Enterprise 2.0 derives from Web 2.0 and is often used to indicate the introduction and implementation of social software inside a company and the social and organisational changes associated with it. The term was coined by Andrew McAfee, a Professor at Harvard Business School, to refer to simple, free platforms for self-expression (McAfee`s blog, 24 March 2006). He soon followed up with a refined