CSCW

CSCW is the use of computing and communication technologies to support group and organizational activity. Also known as collaboration technology, organizational computing, and group support systems (GSS). (Olson & Olson 1997). Closely associated theories are situated action, by Suchman (1987), distributed cognition, from Huchins (1990, 1991, 1995), coordination theory, from Malone and Crowston (1990, 1994), structuration theory, from Gidderns and Cohen (1979, 1989 respectively). Collaborative technologies have been developed to support coordination, such as calendars, electronic schedules, project management tools, and workflow tools. When evaluating such tools, the researcher should look at the progress of the task, the communication process, and the interpersonal process, such as role taking. (Olson & Olson 1997) Is the wiki helping to speed along the task process, helping you communicate better, and more clearly defining team roles?

The environment into which technologies are placed is reactive, and it changes as people change their behavior, as new roles emerge, and as organizations themselves change. CSCW research looks at the various components of user uptake (adoption) of the new technology and organizational theory provides a background for trying to understand how groups work together with these technologies. Individuals in groups differ in their skill, ability and knowledge, their personalities, and their enduring motivations and agendas. As groups mature, roles, power relationships, and communication patterns also develop. “The fit between group characteristics and the technology is among the major determinants of the success or failure of groupware.” (Olson & Olson 1997).

One important characteristic of cognitive activity that is as true of organizations as of individual minds is that some of the knowledge is explict and easily accessible while other knowledge is more tacit and procedural (Anderson 1982, cited in Olson & Olson 1997). Another key aspect is the multiplicity of goals that the participants in the organization are pursuing. The complexity of goals and rewards has often been ignored in decisions to adopt CSCW systems. Those who benefit from information technology may be different from those whose work is changed by it, leading to differential incentives for using the technology. What implications does this have for your potential use of of wikis as a project management tool? 

They physical distance between group members has an effect on collaboration. The closer people are together physically the more likely they are to collaborate. CSCW technologies are designed to overcome these barriers, and wikis are a part of that effort. Wikis are group uathoring systems, they are e-mail and conferencing tools, they provide support for remote connectivity, and they are multi-user spaces (MUDs, multi-user domains).

Organizational Theory

“Group dynamics” differentiate a group from a random collection of individuals. Organizations can be thought of as groups of groups. Even though the organization (or project) as a whole may have a single, clear set of goals and interests, individuals, groups, and subunits within the organization may not share these goals and interests fully. It is generally necessary for the leaders to movitvate and reinforce behavior in keeping with organizational goals by means of good measures, rewards, and punishments. Organizational context affects the implementation of computer systems—their introduction and use. Understanding the organizational context of use is critical for designers and developers. This knowledge can help a project manager anticipate challenges, select appropriate techniques, and avoid the tendency to blame individuals rather than organizational structures and processes. (Grudin 1997).

Life cycle of system use:

·    Initiation (when an idea originates and a project is funded)

·    Acquisitions (when the PM sets up the wiki site for the project and the kick-off meeting)

·    Implementation and use (when the PM deploys the wiki into the group and people begin to use or reject it)

·    Impacts and consequences (when the work group experiences the effects of using the wiki and takes steps to augment, mitigate, or otherwise manage them) (adapted from Grudin 1997)