This study seeks to demonstrate how the data paper provides an innovative tool for information and data management, as part of an "ecosystem" of conference proceedings, journal articles, research data and open repositories. It relies upon GreyNet's current collection of 46 published datasets and 16 data papers. The study highlights the importance of the human contribution for the writing of data papers and the enrichment of their metadata. To this end, key shared components of GreyNet's collection of data papers are discussed, namely the stakeholders, linked metadata, open data archiving, preservation, and issues of quality and information rights. The study concludes from a user perspective by addressing the value of data papers drawn from available statistics. The results are expected to move beyond a simple case study to a use case in which the key components of data papers can be implemented in other communities of practice dealing with grey literature.