CSCW definition
CSCW (also known as computer-supported cooperative work) are software tools and technology designed to support a group of people collaborating on projects. This group may consist of a few individuals, a team, or an online community spanning the globe. The technologies that enable CSCW include video and audio conferencing, a group calendar, email, and instant messaging apps (like Teams or Slack).
Some define CSCW as a behavioral study of how people use technology to collaborate on work and how computer systems can support such collaboration and coordination.
Benefits of CSCW
- Teams can collaborate and contribute to projects when they want, from anywhere in the world.
- Companies can employ people with specific expertise, regardless of geographic constraints.
- Organizations can save money by implementing virtual teams (e.g., travel costs, rented office space, parking, or electricity).
- Multiple communication threads encourage more team participation and foster a less egalitarian communication structure.
Technologies that enable CSCW
- Connectivity
- Networks
- Naming and namespaces (i.e., a set of signs used to identify and refer to objects)
- Mail and other communication tools and protocols
- Multimedia technologies
- Video conferencing technologies
- Cross-platform development tools
