CSCW Introduction
 Definition CSCW
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 There does not exist a commonly agreed on definition
 One possible definition from C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein
(MCC)
 CSCW looks at how groups work and seeks to discover how
technology (especially computers) can help them work
 Computer-supported
 Cooperative work
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CSCW Introduction
 Involved Sciences
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
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 Social science
 Organizational science
 Work science / Ergonomics
 Anthropology
 Psychology (Group dynamics, Interface design),
 (Applied) Computer science (Implementation)
 Economy
 Artificial Intelligence
CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Robert Johansen:
 ... a generic term for specialized computer aids that are designed
for the use of collaborative work groups. Typically, these groups
are small project-oriented teams that have important tasks and
tight deadlines. Groupware can involve software, hardware,
services, and/or group process support.
 C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein (MCC) 1st:
 Computer-based systems that support groups of people engaged
in a common task (or goal) and that provide an interface to a
shared environment
 C. Ellis, S. Gibbs, G. Rein (MCC) 2nd:
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 Class of applications, for small groups and for organizations,
arising from the merging of computers and large information
bases and communications technology. These applications may
or may not specially support cooperation.
 Software for small or narrowly focused groups, not organizationwide support
CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 H. Krasner, J. McInroy, D. WalzGroupware is computer
technology that
1. actively facilitates two or more users working on a common task,
possibly simultaneously, using a shared environment and
2. provides synergistic mechanisms for coordinating each user's
actions with respect to the rest of the group and the system.
 H. Lewe, H. Krcmar
 The notion of Groupware indicates the computer-based support
of work groups or project teams. Support may mean support by
special software and hardware, by information and
communication services as well as support of group work. In
contrast to individual data processing with groupware
collaboration / cooperation are important issues.
 Groupware in a narrow sense is a tool, which can only be used
by a group but not by an individual.
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CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Of immense importance for (real-time) groupware are the
features of communication, collaboration, and
coordination.
 Communication
 Communication model:
 Sender – Receiver model
A message is delivered from the sender to the receiver via a
(predefined) channel
 Oral communication
 E-mail
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CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Coordination
 Cooperation needs to be coordinated
 Coordination permits to model the dependencies between goals,
activities and actors (Mlone & Crowstone)
 Coordination, e. g., requires significant control
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CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Collaboration
 Means to support each other in a given way
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CSCW Introduction
 Definition Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Atmosphere during work can best be described by so called "C"Words (Robert Kling):
 Cooperation, conflict, conviviality, competition, collaboration,
commitment, caution, control, coercion, coordination, combat
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CSCW Introduction
Classification of CSCW
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
Time
same
different
Same place
Different time
(asynchronous)
Different place
Different time
(asynchronous)
same
Same place
Same time
(synchronous)
Different place
Same time
(synchronous)
different
Place
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CSCW Introduction
Classification of CSCW
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 Communication-oriented synchronous tools:
 Support the synchronous exchange of (all kind of)
messages between a group of participants
 Participants can be at the same or different locations
 Same location:
 Meeting support systems
 Different location:
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CSCW Introduction
 Meeting support systems
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 "If any substantial reduction were to be made in the
executive working days ..., the most fruitful place to begin
would be to cut down on conference time" (Case, 1962).
 No agreed on notation yet; possible terms are:
 Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
 Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)
 Computer Aided Team (CATeam)
 Group Support System (GSS) (combined name for Group
Communication Support Systems and Group Decision Support
Systems)
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CSCW Introduction
 Meeting support systems
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
 "If any substantial reduction were to be made in the
executive working days ..., the most fruitful place to begin
would be to cut down on conference time" (Case, 1962).
 No agreed on notation yet; possible terms are:
 Group Decision Support Systems (GDSS)
 Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS)
 Computer Aided Team (CATeam)
 Group Support System (GSS) (combined name for Group
Communication Support Systems and Group Decision Support
Systems)
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CSCW Introduction
 Distinction between CSCW <-> Groupware
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
1. Groupware and CSCW mean the same
2. Groupware is the more restricted notion
 It only considers (small) groups but not large organizations
 Groupware mainly concentrates on the technology while CSCW
also tries to understand and consider human behavior
 Groupware implies that some kind of
 Software and
 Hardware
is involved/used
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CSCW Introduction
Rainer Unland
University of
Essen
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 Although the prospects of groupware appear bright, we
must take into account a history of expensive and
repetitive failure. Applications such as video
conferencing and on-line calendars have largely been
disappointments.