Factors affecting the utility of technology-mediated collaboration in science and engineering

ABSTRACT

There is significant interest in scientific and industrial collaboration and the CSCW technologies to support it. What is missing, however, is a means for systematic assessment of prospective users, in order to determine what tools are needed and how organizational factors encourage or discourage collaboration. This study proposes development and deployment of a survey instrument measuring social and organizational factors that will likely affect the utility of collaboration for scientists in 3 fields. Results will drive the design of other types of tools for assessing group needs, and specific recommendations about tools likely to be useful under different conditions.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  H. Information Systems
  H.5 INFORMATION INTERFACES AND PRESENTATION (I.7)
      H.5.3 Group and Organization Interfaces
          Subjects: Computer-supported cooperative work

Keywords:
CSCW, collaboration tools, collaboratories, science