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From: dsstodol@daimi.aau.dk (David S. Stodolsky)
Newsgroups: comp.groupware
Subject: Re: coordination technology
Message-ID: <1991Mar15.225035.14944@daimi.aau.dk>
Date: 15 Mar 91 22:50:35 GMT
References: <1991Mar12.064736.12862@syacus.acus.oz.au> <1991Mar14.182538.29557@daimi.aau.dk> <103417@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Sender: dsstodol@daimi.aau.dk (David S. Stodolsky)
Organization: DAIMI: Computer Science Department, Aarhus University, Denmark
Lines: 79

In comp.groupware you write:

>In article <1991Mar14.182538.29557@daimi.aau.dk> dsstodol@daimi.aau.dk (David
S
. Stodolsky) writes:
>>
>>A problem with Holt's work from ITT is the failure to recognize the
>>integrity of the individual. That is, if a person switches from one role to
>>another, the person can just as easily be talking to themself as to another
>>person within the framework of the coordination system.
>>Also, the concept of role is not that clear from a sociological standpoint.
>>

>Absolutely right.. the 'scandinavian perspective' where the interests of
>workers is taken into account has been  accepted only recently .. (post

Unfortunately, the 'Scandinavian perspective' assumes that the union
represents the interest of the worker. This may not always be true,
especially when the union becomes a large bureaucratic organization.

More on this in:
Citation:
Stodolsky, D. (1989, July). _Computer-supported cooperative 
work: The question of personal integrity_. Paper for 
presentation at the International Conference on Information 
System, Work, and Organization Design, Berlin, GDR.

===========================================================

For presentation at the International Conference on 
Information System, Work, and Organization Design, 
Berlin, GDR (July 10-13, 1989).


Computer Supported Cooperative Work:
The Question of Personal Integrity

David S. Stodolsky, PhD

University of Copenhagen


Abstract

The expanding use of personal computers in the work place 
has catalyzed a new interest in cooperation. This 
interest appears to be generated by a "technology push". 
Large numbers of independent computer workstations have 
led to many databases controlled by individual workers. 
The easy interchange of this data, made technologically 
possible by the new networking technology, has been 
inhibited by inadequate mechanisms for cooperation. 

A significant risk exists that the cooperation embodied 
in these new systems will have little relationship to 
co-operation as it is understood by social researchers. 
This is because, first, the system designers confronted 
with these questions are primarily dealing with specific 
problems visible in the implementation of computer 
networks, and the problems are viewed as primarily 
technical problems that demand technical solutions. 
Second, the system designers tend to have little social 
science expertise. Third, the currently available 
hardware and software systems may preempt many potential 
co-operative solutions.

These factors reinforce current trends that permit 
computers to play an increasingly important role in the 
erosion of personal integrity in the work place and in 
society at large. Potential outcomes of these trends 
include elimination of cooperatively structured 
organizations and a neo-Luddite reaction against the use 
of computer technology.

--
David S. Stodolsky                Messages: + 45 46 75 77 11 x 24 41
Department of Computer Science                 Tel: + 45 31 95 92 82
Bldg. 20.1, Roskilde University Center        Internet: david@ruc.dk
Post Box 260, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark        Fax: + 45 46 75 74 01