Unpacking Big tech power: A developmental literature review of IS research

Society is now profoundly shaped by digital platforms such as Apple, Amazon, Microsoft, Google/Alphabet, Facebook/Meta, and X. Although these “Big Tech” firms exert pervasive influence across all spheres of life, their growing power remains insufficiently theorized and critically debated within information systems (IS) research. This article systematically reviews the IS literature to examine how the concept of digital platform power has been constructed. We find that current IS research addresses Big Tech power through four interconnected themes: (1) technological power, (2) economic power, (3) societal power, and (4) associated threats and risks. Our findings highlight a fragmented literature, dominated by instrumental views and business priorities, with insufficient critical problematization. We contend that “Big Tech power” represents a missing and necessary construct within IS scholarship; accordingly, this article seeks to conceptualize its foundations and mechanisms. We advocate for the adoption of a more integrative and responsible research agenda in IS, enabling scholars and practitioners to better understand, evaluate, and shape the future governance of digital platforms—ultimately contributing to a more responsible and desirable digital society.