The Complexities of Computer-Supported Collaboration
Date
2006-02-14
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
We introduce the idea of considering computer supported
collaborative work as a complex adaptive system (CAS). In other disciplines,
such as physics, biology and ecology, the idea of a CAS has proven useful in
explaining a wide variety of phenomena. We define a CAS and then describe how
CSCW fits that definition. We demonstrate that the concepts in CAS theory can
be applied to help understand computer supported collaboration and provide
examples of catastrophe and chaos in physics showing how they can be
paralleled in CSCW. The implications of the application of CAS theory to CSCW
include greater insight into the computer supported collaborative process and
inform both evaluation methodology and design of applications.
Description
Keywords
Computer Science