People work together to solve a wide variety of problems using different forms of cooperation for each class of problem. Modern technology is complex, and therefore it is unusual for an individual to attempt the development of a major project single-handedly. In an attempt to provide computer-based support for the problems that arise when two or more people attempt to cooperate to perform a task or solve a problem, the area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) becomes relevant. The software development process almost invariably involves cooperation that crosses group, professional, and subcultural boundaries. The complexity of software development demands that highly integrated groups of analysts, designers, and users are involved in the process. Many development activities may occur concurrently. The area of CSCW and advanced information technology, with its enormous capabilities for transmitting and storing information, holds considerable promise for the software development process. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Thesis (M.Sc.(Computer Science))--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität Freiburg im Breisgau. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 215-235).

People work together to solve a wide variety of problems using different forms of cooperation for each class of problem. Modern technology is complex, and therefore it is unusual for an individual to attempt the development of a major project single-handedly. In an attempt to provide computer-based support for the problems that arise when two or more people attempt to cooperate to perform a task or solve a problem, the area of Computer Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) becomes relevant. The software development process almost invariably involves cooperation that crosses group, professional, and subcultural boundaries. The complexity of software development demands that highly integrated groups of analysts, designers, and users are involved in the process. Many development activities may occur concurrently. The area of CSCW and advanced information technology, with its enormous capabilities for transmitting and storing information, holds considerable promise for the software development process. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

Groupware packages are increasingly being used to support content delivery, class discussion, student to student and student to faculty interactions and group work on projects. This research focused on groupware packages that are used to support students who are located in different places, but who are assigned group projects as part of their coursework requirements. In many cases, students are being asked to use unfamiliar technologies that are very different from those that support personal productivity. For example, computer-assisted cooperative work (CSCW) technology is different from other more traditional, stand-alone software applications because it requires the user to interact with the computer as well as other users. However, familiarity with the technology is not the only requirement for successful completion of a group assigned project. For a group to be successful, it must also have a desire to work together on the project. If this pre-requisite is not present within the group, then the technology will only create additional communication and coordination barriers. How much of an impact does each of these factors have on the acceptance of CSCW technology? The significance of this study is threefold. First, this research contributed to how a user's predisposition toward group work affects their acceptance of CSCW technology. Second, it helped identify ways to overcome some of the obstacles associated with group work and the use of CSCW technology in an academic online environment. Finally, it helped identify early adopters of CSCW software and how these users can form the critical mass required to diffuse the technology. This dissertation reports the impact of predisposition toward group work and prior computer experience on the intention to use synchronous CSCW. It was found that predisposition toward group work was not only positively associated to perceived usefulness; it was also related to intention to use. It also found that perceived ease of use, at least in this study, had a direct and positive impact on intention, and was not mediated through perceived usefulness. These findings hold implications for academia and how it uses complex collaborative software. Avenues for further research are identified.

Des verrous technologiques et sociaux importants sont identifiés lors du soutien de la collaboration entre acteurs d’une crise : en particulier, souvent la conception de systèmes informatiques dans ce but ne répond pas aux besoins des utilisateurs et les systèmes trop rigides ne permettent pas de supporter des situations dynamiques où les évènements sont imprévus et font appel à des mesures émergentes. Pour s’affranchir de ces verrous, notre travail se positionne dans le domaine du travail collaboratif assisté par ordinateur (TCAO) focalisé sur les systèmes sociotechniques. Cette recherche s’inscrit dans la problématique d’un système flexible d’information et de communication qui supporte l’awareness informationnelle dans un contexte précis : la collaboration inter-organisationnelle dans des situations émergentes et complexes. Celles-ci ajoutent au travail collaboratif plusieurs contraintes, notamment le stress, l’imprévision, la multitude des acteurs et les frontières organisationnelles. Dans ce contexte, les différentes organisations – SAMU, pompiers, gendarmerie et autres - doivent acquérir et percevoir les informations qui leur sont utiles pour accomplir leurs activités inter-organisationnelles. Certes, les acteurs rencontrent des problèmes qui entravent l’atteinte de leurs objectifs. Avec l’aide des sciences sociales, cette étude apporte une contribution de recherche en informatique ouverte sur l’interdisciplinarité. Un apport important en est l’étude de l’aspect organisationnel et de l’aspect informationnel à partir des pratiques réelles des utilisateurs / In order to overcome the technological and social locks that are identified in supporting collaboration - for instance, the computer systems design problems that do not meet the needs of users and/or systems that are rigid and do not allow to deal with dynamic situations where events are unexpected and appeal to emerging measures - our work is positioned in the field of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) characterized by the dualistic social and technical aspects.This research proposes flexible information and communication system that supports the information awareness in the inter-agency collaboration in emerging and complex situations as crisis. These situations add to a collaborative work several constraints such as stress, lack of foresight, the multitude of actors and organizational boundaries. In crisis management, the various organizations – emergency medical service, firefighters, police and others - need to perceive useful information to them to complete their inter-agency activities. However, actors encounter problems that prevent them to reach their goals. This study brings to its scale, a contribution in computer sciences opened to interdisciplinary with the help of social sciences which rely on study of current practices to understand and analyze the users, their activities and the work environment

This project extended COLLDESIGN, an interactive collaborative modeling tool that was developed by Mr. Hara Totapally. The initial version included a collaborative framework comprised of configurable client and server components. This project accomplished a complete implementation of the Class Diagram view. In addition, extending the framework, text messaging and audio conferencing features have been implemented to allow for real-time textual and audio communication between team members working on a particular project. VideoClient is the GUI of the application.

The purpose of the research is to propose and evaluate a methodology for implementing EDI to assist organisations in reaping the anticipated benefits. The research involved the systematic analysis of the state of the art of EDI and paradigms of methodologies, to define a model for the EDI implementation methodology, and to define criteria for evaluating such a model. The methodology was developed and modelled utilising the software process model, as adopted by Boehm (1988) and later duPlessis and van der Walt (1992), as a framework. Next a synthesis of the assimilated knowledge and brainstorming of project teams involved in EDI pilot projects, was used to systematically develop an EDI implementation methodology. The methodology was evaluated by utilising it in the implementation of EDI between two organisations, Computer Equipment Brokers (PTY) and Marksec (PTY). It was concluded that the methodology was efficient for implementing EDI. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

The purpose of the research is to propose and evaluate a methodology for implementing EDI to assist organisations in reaping the anticipated benefits. The research involved the systematic analysis of the state of the art of EDI and paradigms of methodologies, to define a model for the EDI implementation methodology, and to define criteria for evaluating such a model. The methodology was developed and modelled utilising the software process model, as adopted by Boehm (1988) and later duPlessis and van der Walt (1992), as a framework. Next a synthesis of the assimilated knowledge and brainstorming of project teams involved in EDI pilot projects, was used to systematically develop an EDI implementation methodology. The methodology was evaluated by utilising it in the implementation of EDI between two organisations, Computer Equipment Brokers (PTY) and Marksec (PTY). It was concluded that the methodology was efficient for implementing EDI. / Computing / M. Sc. (Information Systems)

In this project a collaboration multimedia toolkit, JSCMT (Java Synchronized Collaborative Multimedia Toolkit) was developed which is intended to connect a group of people located in different geographical locations who are working on the same project.