The Computer Support Cooperative Work

This paper will discuss the article titled Computer-Support Cooperative Work written by Kelvin Mills. It will then relate the application of this article to a Human- Computer Interaction (HCI) professional. The term Computer Support Cooperative Work (CSCW) can be defined as an interdisciplinary venture that consists of disciplines such as computer science, organizational theory, sociology, anthropology and artificial intelligence (Shen et al., 2005). It can also be defined as a highly diverse discipline that involves all the above, including user interface design, distribution systems, network communication and usability (Schmitd, 2011). Despite the multidisciplinary nature of this concept, there appears to be a consensus amongst scholars with regards to its relation to technology. The concept is rather based on the conviction that technology is critical in linking various disciplines in the quest to bolster their effectiveness.

In this article, Mills defines the term CSCW by providing a chronological background of the workshops and conferences that helped in the development of the concept. Mills poses four fundamental questions, which help in the understanding of this concept. Far from that, Mills explains the key dimensions of the CSCW that broaden its scope of understanding. These dimensions include infrastructure, collaborator mobility privacy, space, participant selection extensibility, time and interaction style context. Mills also discusses the essential features of the CSCW system which shed more light on the application of the concept. These salient features include communication, coordination, configuration, interaction, information access and usability.

Given that Human Computer Interaction professionals are tasked with the job of improving interaction between computers and their users, this article is invaluable to them. Since it enables them to learn about a system that is capable of boosting their won productivity if well implemented. The article discusses the key dimension and salient features of the system, thereby demonstrating how the conception of the two elements is vital in linking interdisciplinary communication and productivity.