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

Okamura, Kazuo; Fujimoto, Masayo; Orlikowski, Wanda J.; Yates, JoAnne

doi:10.1080/01972243.1995.9960190

Cited by 37 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…Other studies use a variety of methods, including both quantitative and qualitative techniques (Okamura et al, 1994;Ross et al, 1995). For instance, methods in Ackerman's study (1994) of the use of an organisational memory system by a group of software engineers included an initial questionnaire, usage data at the 'mouse-stroke' level, critical incident interviews, final questionnaires, and field observations and interviews.…”

Section: Questions Of Research Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These need to co-evolve, so the CSCW system fits in with the current organisational structure whilst work practices are concurrently adapted to enable the system to support collaboration. One mechanism is the intervention of local technically skilled mediators, 'gardeners' or 'tailors', who take on board the responsibility of customising and shaping other users' adoption and understanding of the new system together with deciding on which work procedures to standardise (Gantt & Nardi, 1992;Okamura et al, 1994;Trigg & Bødker, 1994). Here, the emphasis is on empowering and formally acknowledging key individuals within an organisation to facilitate the transition to collaborative working.…”

Section: The Discrepancy Problem and Ways Of Managing Itmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What Are Workplace Studies For?

Plowman

Rogers

Ramage

1995

Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work ECSCW ’95

125

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Abstract:We have considered the role of workplace studies from the CSCW literature which are intended to inform system design and implementation. We present a critique of these studies, categorised according to which phase of the design process they most inform, and discuss the tensions between providing explanatory accounts and usable design recommendations, the pressures on fieldworkers to provide both, the purposes different approaches serve, and the transition from fieldwork to system design.

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Section: Questions Of Research Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Discrepancy Problem and Ways Of Managing Itmentioning

confidence: 99%

What Are Workplace Studies For?

Plowman

Rogers

Ramage

1995

Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work ECSCW ’95

125

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…This paper provides a method for addressing this question. Okamura et al (1994) answer the question by suggesting the use of mediators, that is individuals who deliberately intervene with organisational authorisation in the ongoing use of CSCW technology. In this respect, "these mediators adapt a new collaborative technology to a context, modify the context as appropriate to accommodate use of the technology and support ongoing changes to the technology and context over time" (p. 56).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Organisational Prototyping: Adopting CSCW Applications in Organisations

Bardram¹

1997

DPB

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The usefulness of applications which support cooperative work depends in its very nature on the way the cooperative work practice is organised. At the same time, the adoption of new technology is difficult and complex because of the amount of people involved and their distribution in time and space. This paper explores the possibilities of addressing this adoption process in a more simplified, yet systematic way without losing the focus on the interdependencies which characterise cooperative work. The notion of adoption is discussed as a dual process of adapting both the computer support to the work and adapting the work to the computer. A method called organisational prototyping is presented which aims at facilitating this adoption process. A case illustrates how organisational prototyping was used in the adoption of a cooperative tool for managing projects within a large engineering company in Denmark.

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“…This paper provides a method for addressing this question. Okamura et al (1994) [11] answer the question by suggesting the use of mediantors, that is individuals who deliberately intervene with organisational authorisation in the ongoing use of CSCW technology. In this respect, "these mediators adapt a new collaborative technology to a context, modify the context as appropriate to accommodate use of the technology and support ongoing changes to the technology and context over time" (p. 56).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Collaboration, Coordination and Computer Support: An Activity Theoretical Approach to the Design of Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Ph.D. Thesis

Bardram¹

1998

DPB

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SummaryThe present thesis presents a theoretical foundation for the design of Computer Support for Cooperative Work (CSCW). BackgroundThis thesis reports on work done within the Industrial Research Education (EF 577) established between the University of Aarhus, Kommunedata (KMD), and the University Hospital of Aarhus. The initial focus of the project was to investigate ways of supporting the extensive cooperation taking place within a hospital. ObjectivesThe theoretical objective of this work is to apply activity theory as a theoretical foundation for CSCW research and to focus on the issue of design within CSCW. Furthermore, the applicable and developmental objectives of the Industrial Research project are to provide design principles as well as design methods for the development of computer support for coordination and cooperation within hospitals. These principles and methods can be applied at KMD in other software development projects. MethodsThe methodological basis for this project lies within the Participatory Design approach, as developed in Scandinavia. The methods applied within this project have been empirical, experimental, and theoretical. The empirical work has taken place within several hospitals in Denmark and has applied different qualitative methods, such as interviews and ethnographic workplace studies. The experimental work involves software design and construction, which has been developed and evaluated through extensive prototyping. The theoretical work includes literature studies of related work and investigation of activity theory as a possible candidate for CSCW research. Contributions of the ThesisThe thesis establishes activity theory as a theoretical foundation for CSCW design. A framework for designing collaboration artifacts is presented and methods supporting the design of such collaboration technologies are developed, deployed, and evaluated. Six papers (of which 5 have been published) elaborate upon this theoretical approach to CSCW research. The papers illustrate how this theoretical foundation can be used to analyze cooperative work activities supported by computer technology, how it can be used to design collaborative computer technologies, and how it can be used to develop and understand methods for designing collaborative computer technology.The applicable contributions of the present work also include several design principles for computer technological support for coordination and cooperation within a hospital setting. Proof of concepts of these design principles is made in the prototype called the Patient Scheduler, which has been evaluated in numerous design meetings with different healthcare workers.ii Resumé (Danish Summary)Naervaerende afhandling praesenterer et teoretisk fundament for design af edb-støtte til samarbejde (eng.: Computer Supported Cooperative Work, CSCW). BaggrundAfhandlingen afrapporterer arbejder udført inden for rammerne af erhvervsforskeruddannelsen (EF 577), etableret mellem Aarhus Universitet, Kommunedata (KMD) ogÅrhus Universitetshospital. Den...

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

Cited by 37 publications

References 17 publications

What Are Workplace Studies For?

What Are Workplace Studies For?

Organisational Prototyping: Adopting CSCW Applications in Organisations

Collaboration, Coordination and Computer Support: An Activity Theoretical Approach to the Design of Computer Supported Cooperative Work. Ph.D. Thesis

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