ABSTRACT
Abstract: From the early days of computer conferencing, through the heyday of group decision support systems, to the current profusion of communication technologies, the elusive goal of effective collaboration has been examined from a variety of perspectives. Three important themes recur in this ongoing search: collaboration technologies, collaboration tasks, and the contexts in which they come together and are used. Collaboration technologies have been characterized in a variety of ways, at the same time that radical changes continue to occur in their capabilities. Collaboration tasks have also been defined in a variety of ways and their fit with specific technologies remains a complex issue. Technologies and tasks are brought together in use contexts that range from face-to-face settings to virtual spaces, and many issues raised by differences in use context remain unresolved. This paper examines our evolving understanding of collaboration technologies, tasks, and contexts. The changing characterization of each of these concepts is described. Key research findings are summarized, and opportunities for future research are discussed. The main contribution of this paper is to provide a summary analysis of how collaboration technologies, tasks, and contexts have been treated in information systems research, along with recommendations for future research on unresolved issues. Keywords: Collaboration Technology, Collaboration Task, Virtual Teams, Group Support Systems
INTRODUCTION
Collaboration is embedded in the world of work today, and the technology that makes new forms of collaboration possible has evolved rapidly. The relatively short but remarkable history of collaboration technology presents challenges for understanding the difference between ephemeral and lasting phenomena. The “e-rooms” of today look nothing like the computer conferences of the 1970s-or do they? Have changes in technology brought about any fundamental changes in how we approach collaboration, or the types of activities that we engage in through the technology? These are all interesting questions for speculation. But the starting point for exploration of these issues must be a clear understanding of the fundamental concepts.
