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

Appropriateness of Communication and Collaboration Tools in an International Virtual Research Community

Authors: Marco Braeuer, Andrea Crone, Catherina Dürrenberg, Oxana Lapteva and Frauke Zeller

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.

Keywords: media choice, collaboration

Read the full article in PDF format.

Presented in Session 1: Knowledge, collaboration, and governance on Tuesday October 7th. See presentation slides in PDF format.