Emergent Use-Patterns: Studying the Integration of Groupware in a Networked Organisation

Jens Kaaber Pors, Jesper Simonsen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

    Abstract

    When a networked organisation chooses to invest a considerable amount of esources in deploying a groupware application the reasons and goals can vary. No matter why the groupware was initially deployed it is in general very difficult to monitor and evaluate how it is actually used and integrated with the work practice. This research-in-progress investigates the possibilities of evaluating the integration by characterising emergent use-patterns. We have studied the deployment and use of a generic web based groupware application – Lotus QuickPlace (QP) – in a large networked organisation distributed throughout Scandinavia and elsewhere. We have employed a research method comprising different data-gathering techniques – interview, participant observation, document analysis, survey, and http-log analysis – in an attempt to analyse how the groupware is used and which general use-patterns emerge after deployment. The ongoing research has been carried out since the initial installation of the application in summer 2000, and has identified different types of general use-patterns, which have emerged in the subsequent use of the groupware in the organisation. We examine four cases of QP use and describe the emergent use-pattern in each case. Characterising factors of these four use-patterns are discussed in order to show some preliminary findings of this approach and discuss future research efforts.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 25th Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia, IRIS 25 - New Ways of Working in IS, August 10-13, 2002, Bautahøj, Denmark
    EditorsMogens Kühn Pedersen, Jesper Simonsen, Morten Thanning Vendelø, Jacob Nørbjerg, Keld Bødker
    Number of pages11
    PublisherRoskilde Universitet
    Publication date2002
    Pages1174-1184
    Publication statusPublished - 2002
    EventThe 25th Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia, IRIS 25 : New Ways of Working in IS - Bautahøj, Denmark
    Duration: 10 Aug 200213 Aug 2002
    Conference number: 25

    Conference

    ConferenceThe 25th Information Systems Research Seminar in Scandinavia, IRIS 25 : New Ways of Working in IS
    Number25
    Country/TerritoryDenmark
    CityBautahøj
    Period10/08/200213/08/2002

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