Groupware Technology and Team Management Unit 2 Dr. Andrea Jersabek

Types of Collaboration Technology

Pros Speeding up the exchange Easy access to new information Many people being able to receive information at the same time Increase the number of potential participants in discussions Expand contacts Easier reach people

Cons High costs Technical limitations Low video quality Breakdowns Lack of user-friendliness Inadequate training

Consequences Under-utilization of complex software Rarely used for complex activities, e.g. co-authoring “Even with prior coaching on the use of the software, instructors and students require experience to understand and exploit the features“ …..White et al (1998)

Effects for groups and meetings Use of computer assisted communication technologies and decision support technologies leads: to a larger number and variety of people participating as information sources in the making of decisions to a decrease in size and variety of face-to-face groups, since (some) experts can be consulted remotely. to less of the organization’s time being absorbed by decision related meetings, since information exchange can also be done remotely and since decision support systems make meetings more effective

Effects on level and flexibility of decision making Use of computer assisted communication technologies and decision support technologies leads: to a more uniform distribution across organizational levels of the probability that a particular organizational level will make a particular decision to a greater variation in the levels at which a particular type of decision will be taken to fewer intermediate human nodes within the organizational information processing network, i e. from sensor units such as marketing, to decision makers, unless this implies information overload for the decision makers.

Effects for organizational memory Use of computer assisted communication technologies and decision support technologies leads: To a more frequent development and use of computer resident databases as components of organizational memory; this can substitute for knowledge loss because of personnel turnover, for information not being stored, or for information not being shared. To more frequent development and use of in-house expert systems.

Effects on organizational learning, intelligence and decision making Use of computer assisted communication technologies and decision support technologies leads: to more rapid and more accurate identification of problems and opportunities, implying better organizational learning to organizational intelligence that is more accurate, comprehensive, timely and available, resulting in higher quality decisions, although this may lead to lower quality decisions.

Power Distribution Increased access to information may make employees more autonomous This may result in a flattening of hierarchies But: those in power may find this challenging

Example from Centra

The Role of Technology in Society Technological and Organisational Imperative Contingency Perspective Strategic Choice Perspective Emergent Structures Perspective

Technological and Organisational Imperative Introduction of technology in our society and in organisations is viewed as an independent and autonomous mechanism This view ignore the manner in which technology is designed and developed

Contingency Perspective Systems should match their environment to thrive and be effective Effectiveness depends on task, the users, and the context McKinsey’s 7-S model: strategy, structure, systems, style, staff, skills, superordinate goals

Cultural Variations

Cultural Dimensions according to Hofstede Power Distance Individualism versus Collectivism Masculinity versus Feminity Uncertainty Avoidance Long-term versus short term

Individual Cultures People have more ingroups People are not as attached to any single ingroup, because there are numerous ingroups to which they can be attached Survival of the individuals and the society is more dependent on the successful and effective functioning of individuals rather than groups. People make relatively fewer distinctions between ingroups and outgroups.

Collectivist Cultures People have fewer ingroups. People are very attached to the ingroups to which they belong. Survival of the individuals and the society is more dependent on the success and effective functioning of the groups rather than individuals. People make greater distinctions between ingroup and outgroup others.

Questions on Culture Explain the following statement: “In studying other cultures, we do so very often from the perspective of our own culture.” Explain how changes in technology, the new global economy, and the increases in the world’s population might affect you. Explain how and why communication and culture are linked. Explain the following statement: “When studying intercultural communication, you should be aware of the problems associated with individual uniqueness, stereotyping, and objectivity.”