OPAALS 2008
The 2nd International OPAALS Conference on Digital Ecosystems
Tampere, Finland, 7 - 8 October 2008

Abstract: In research communities, the use of information and communication technology (ICT) is part of daily routines, especially in multi-institutional research projects. Appropriate media choice is an important dimension of effective communication and successful collaboration. The central aim of this paper is to study the perceived appropriateness of different communication tools (online and offline) in relation to specific tasks within OPAALS. Results drawn from an online survey reveal a differentiated picture: On the one hand, face-to face interaction, face-to-face group meetings and email are the collaboration tools perceived to be most appropriate in general. On the other hand, regarding the dissemination of information within the community, mailing lists and wikis are regarded to be most appropriate.

Abstract: This paper provides a theoretical overview of the field of governance with a special focus on the analytic perspectives concerning virtual research networks. We discuss network governance as translation of the classical socio-economic governance continuum of market and hierarchy into a hybrid model based on collaboration and trust, supported by explicit as well as implicit governance structures and processes. Furthermore we present some key results drawn from official OPAALS documents and from an ongoing online questionnaire study conducted in the OPAALS research community. The interpretation of these data gives an overview of the actual self-governance procedures and structures in an emerging research community. Furthermore, communication, interaction, and decision making structures are presented in the context of implicit and explicit rules that aim at building a transparent community based on collaboration.