Seven Major Collaborative Technologies

What are the seven major collaborative technologies? What feature or features does each technology offer for communication and productivity?

8-2. What are the five Web 2.0 technologies that facilitate collaboration? What features does each technology provide?

8-3. What is presence awareness? How does it add value to instant messaging? What are examples of ways that presence awareness facilitates collaboration?

IM software feature that allows users to display their current status to their contacts, colleagues, or buddy list. The application makes instant messaging easier as it shows whether a person being communicated to is available to answer a question, pick up the phone, or stop by for a brief meeting. Instant messaging can become a collaborative through presence awareness as even in a building, it can be used to keep IM client active all day long to receive brief text messages. Another mechanism is through the use of the war room, which is a large area in which team members on the same project work closely together, surrounded by whiteboards, large digital displays, and other tools to facilitate impromptu meetings and smooth collaboration. Through the war room, team members are ware of one another’s presence so they can get an immediate response.
8-4. What are unified communications? What are examples of integrated features of unified communications? How do unified communications contribute to collaboration?

Unified communications (UC) is the technology that integrates multiple communications channels and applications into a single interface, which is accessible from many different devices. Some of the integrated features of unified technology are Voice calls, Conferencing (audio, video, web), Messaging (email, voicemail), Instant messaging, and Presence awareness. It makes the process of communication efficient by informing individuals whether one is available for hands-free cell-phone conversations, or other means of communications. Collaboration is improved by the fact that when a person is talking on the phone, the person’s status will automatically switch to “in a call” so coworkers know that phoning the person at that moment would be a waste of time.
8-5. What are the five distinguishing features of online environments? How does each affect human behavior?

Unfamiliar Communication Tools: QWERTY keyboards, controls, mice, cameras, and
microphones are more complicated to use to communicate, often interfering with smooth interactions.
Reduced Media Richness: Text-based online interactions are particularly lacking in media richness, with no nonverbal cues to refine and clarify messages.
Greater Physical Distance: Online interactions occur between people who are both physically separate, and also alone with their computers or other devices.
Heightened Anonymity: Many online environments heighten the perception of anonymity, making participants feel as though they are not identifiable to others.

Unclear Audience: Since electronic communications can be archived and easily transmitted to others, the size and composition of the audience is not clear.
8-6. What are group norms? How does the online environment affect group norms? What is disinhibition? What are other ways in which the online environment influences group dynamics?

Group Norms are informal and unwritten rules that govern individuals in a group. Disinhibition is a process through which people express themselves more bluntly, abruptly, or aggressively in an online environment than they would in face-to-face settings. Online dynamics also influences group dynamics in that it tends to flatten out hierarchies and equalize status, partly because many of the cues used to establish status are less apparent, creating more personal relationships between the group members. The adoption of an online based business environment can lead to the weakening of trust especially people don’t have face to face interactions that fosters trust. Technology glitches can also impact on the level of trust.
8-7. How can virtual team members make their teams more successful? What are some of the things virtual team leaders can do to make their teams more successful?

Team members can appoint a leader, clarify his role, develop written team charter to ensure team members agree on goals, expectations for work styles, conflict resolution, and team member evaluation strategies, agree on a decision-making strategy, and Practice with the technologies before they are needed for intense tasks with upcoming deadlines.  Team members can also Communicate and share information frequently, hold an in-person meeting or interactive video session at the start of the project to build trust, Review the communication processes for any sign of disinhibition, and regularly communicate with team members in case of family emergencies, blizzard, or illness.

On the other hand, team leaders can:

• Try and get to know each team member so as to build trust and know the contribution of each person
• Arrange a synchronous session and invite members to introduce themselves to kick off the project, using interactive video, in-person meetings, conference call, or chat.
• Use the kick-off meeting to raise awareness of any differences in culture or working styles.
• Use a relatively structured leadership style, with clearly documented assignments, deadlines, and expectations.
• Enhance group cohesiveness and team identity through team-building exercises, team charter, and other means.
• Choose collaborative technologies wisely and arrange training to ensure team members know how to use them.
• Use synchronous collaborative tools, preferably with video, to discuss sensitive topics.
• Encourage participation by all members, contacting any who have contributed little to learn why.
• Send out frequent reminders about upcoming events and deadlines.
• Use encouragement and praise publicly, but convey constructive criticism privately