A Learning Perspective on Groupware Implementation

We propose to look at the implementation of groupware from a learning perspective. In this paper we motivate this view and outline our research model. Research questions of the project are: What are the influential characteristics of learning for the implementation of groupware? And: how can this implementation process be improved

Information systems: a cyborg discipline?

This paper argues for a model of information systems in terms of cyborgs – a boundary-crossing mixture of the technical and the social. The argument for this model is substantiated from the personal experience of the author, presented as examples of being a cyborg researcher within a disciplinary context. Lessons for information systems are drawn

Proceedings of the ECSCW'95 Workshop on the Role of Version Control in CSCW Applications

The workshop entitled "The Role of Version Control in Computer Supported Cooperative Work Applications" was held on September 10, 1995 in Stockholm, Sweden in conjunction with the ECSCW'95 conference. Version control, the ability to manage relationships between successive instances of artifacts, organize those instances into meaningful structures, and support navigation and other operations on those structures, is an important problem in CSCW applications. It has long been recognized as a critical issue for inherently cooperative tasks such as software engineering, technical documentation, and authoring. The primary challenge for versioning in these areas is to support opportunistic, open-ended design processes requiring the preservation of historical perspectives in the design process, the reuse of previous designs, and the exploitation of alternative designs. The primary goal of this workshop was to bring together a diverse group of individuals interested in examining the role of versioning in Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Participation was encouraged from members of the research community currently investigating the versioning process in CSCW as well as application designers and developers who are familiar with the real-world requirements for versioning in CSCW. Both groups were represented at the workshop resulting in an exchange of ideas and information that helped to familiarize developers with the most recent research results in the area, and to provide researchers with an updated view of the needs and challenges faced by application developers. In preparing for this workshop, the organizers were able to build upon the results of their previous one entitled "The Workshop on Versioning in Hypertext" held in conjunction with the ECHT'94 conference. The following section of this report contains a summary in which the workshop organizers report the major results of the workshop. The summary is followed by a section that contains the position papers that were accepted to the workshop. The position papers provide more detailed information describing recent research efforts of the workshop participants as well as current challenges that are being encountered in the development of CSCW applications. A list of workshop participants is provided at the end of the report. The organizers would like to thank all of the participants for their contributions which were, of course, vital to the success of the workshop. We would also like to thank the ECSCW'95 conference organizers for providing a forum in which this workshop was possible

Genre systems : structuring interaction through communicative norms

Title from cover. "July 1998."Includes bibliographical references (p. 24-26).Wanda Orlikowski, JoAnne Yates

Facilitating scientifc collaboration across distance: a user needs analysis of a distributed scientific research group

This paper describes a user needs analysis of a research and development center consisting of scientists at four geographically distributed universities. Observations and interviews with representative members of a research group within the center were conducted to determine the group's current collaboration practices and to assess how technology might facilitate collaboration among group members. Data analysis shows that members collaborate primarily through informal communication with co-located peers, and they rely on formal presentations at videoconference meetings to maintain an awareness of research at other locations. The technology currently in place has helped to build a foundation for collaboration; now, the Center should augment this technology to better facilitate and encourage collaboration. It appears that the Center could benefit from a system that allows for more frequent updates on individual projects to all Center members such as a virtual bulletin board, and a tool that provides a virtual shared drawing space

Helping CSCW applications succeed : the role of mediators in the context of use

Includes bibliographical references (p. [12]-[13]).by Kazuo Okamura ... [et al.]