Rainer Unland University of Essen 1 15-Sep-15 © R. Unland CSCW Introduction Definition CSCW There does not exist a commonly agreed on definition

Rainer UnlandUniversity of

Essen

1 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW Introduction Definition CSCW

There does not exist a commonly agreed on definition

One possible definition from C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein (MCC)

CSCW looks at how groups work and seeks to discover how technology (especially computers) can help them work

Computer-supported

Cooperative work


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CSCW Introduction Involved Sciences

Social science Organizational science Work science / Ergonomics Anthropology Psychology (Group dynamics, Interface design), (Applied) Computer science (Implementation) Economy Artificial Intelligence


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CSCW Introduction Definition Groupware

Robert Johansen: ... a generic term for specialized computer aids that are designed

for the use of collaborative work groups. Typically, these groups are small project-oriented teams that have important tasks and tight deadlines. Groupware can involve software, hardware, services, and/or group process support.

C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein (MCC) 1st: Computer-based systems that support groups of people engaged

in a common task (or goal) and that provide an interface to a shared environment

C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein (MCC) 2nd: Class of applications, for small groups and for organizations,

arising from the merging of computers and large information bases and communications technology. These applications may or may not specially support cooperation.

Software for small or narrowly focused groups, not organization-wide support


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H. Krasner, J. McInroy, D. WalzGroupware is computer technology that

1. actively facilitates two or more users working on a common task, possibly simultaneously, using a shared environment and

2. provides synergistic mechanisms for coordinating each user's actions with respect to the rest of the group and the system.

H. Lewe, H. Krcmar

The notion of Groupware indicates the computer-based support of work groups or project teams. Support may mean support by special software and hardware, by information and communication services as well as support of group work. In contrast to individual data processing with groupware collaboration / cooperation are important issues.

Groupware in a narrow sense is a tool, which can only be used by a group but not by an individual.


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Of immense importance for (real-time) groupware are the features of communication, collaboration, and coordination.

Communication

Communication model: Sender – Receiver model

A message is delivered from the sender to the receiver via a (predefined) channel Oral communication E-mail


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Coordination

Cooperation needs to be coordinated

Coordination permits to model the dependencies between goals, activities and actors (Mlone & Crowstone)

Coordination, e. g., requires significant control


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Collaboration

Means to support each other in a given way


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Atmosphere during work can best be described by so called "C-"Words (Robert Kling):

Cooperation, conflict, conviviality, competition, collaboration, commitment, caution, control, coercion, coordination, combat


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CSCW Introduction

Classification of CSCW

Time

Place

same different

Same placeDifferent time

(asynchronous)

Different placeDifferent time

(asynchronous)

Same placeSame time

(synchronous)

Different placeSame time

(synchronous)

same

different


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10 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW IntroductionClassification of CSCW

Communication-oriented synchronous tools:

Support the synchronous exchange of (all kind of) messages between a group of participants

Participants can be at the same or different locations

Same location: Meeting support systems

Different location:


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11 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW Introduction Meeting support systems

"If any substantial reduction were to be made in the executive working days ..., the most fruitful place to begin would be to cut down on conference time" (Case, 1962).

No agreed on notation yet; possible terms are:

Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)

Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)

Computer Aided Team (CATeam)

Group Support System (GSS) (combined name for Group Communication Support Systems and Group Decision Support Systems)


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12 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW Introduction Meeting support systems

"If any substantial reduction were to be made in the executive working days ..., the most fruitful place to begin would be to cut down on conference time" (Case, 1962).

No agreed on notation yet; possible terms are:

Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)

Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)

Computer Aided Team (CATeam)

Group Support System (GSS) (combined name for Group Communication Support Systems and Group Decision Support Systems)


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14 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW Introduction Distinction between CSCW <-> Groupware

1. Groupware and CSCW mean the same

2. Groupware is the more restricted notion

It only considers (small) groups but not large organizations

Groupware mainly concentrates on the technology while CSCW also tries to understand and consider human behavior

Groupware implies that some kind of Software and Hardware

is involved/used


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15 Apr 19, 2023© R. Unland

CSCW Introduction Although the prospects of groupware appear bright, we

must take into account a history of expensive and repetitive failure. Applications such as video conferencing and on-line calendars have largely been disappointments.

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Rainer Unland University of Essen 1 15-Sep-15 © R. Unland CSCW Introduction Definition CSCW There does not exist a commonly agreed on definition