Why groupware succeeds: discretion or mandate?

  • Authors:
  • Jonathan Grudin;Leysia Palen

  • Affiliations:
  • University of California, Irvine;University of California, Irvine

  • Venue:
  • ECSCW'95 Proceedings of the fourth conference on European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work
  • Year:
  • 1995

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Abstract

Single-user applications are designed with a 'discretionary use' model In contrast, for large systems, upper management support is considered crucial to adoption Which applies to groupware? The relatively low cost of groupware reduces high-level visibility, but some argue that social dynamics will force mandated use-the large system approach. Interview studies of recently adopted on-line meeting schedulers in two large organizations found successful, near-universal use achieved without managerial mandate. Versatile functionality and ease of use associated with discretionary products appeared to be factors leading to adoption Other factors included organization-wide infrastructure and substantial peer pressure that developed over time.