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Tech Help Desk: Support for Local Entrepreneurs Addressing the Long Tail of Computing Challenges

Published: 28 April 2022 Publication History

Abstract

Even entrepreneurs whose businesses are not technological (e.g., handmade goods) need to be able to use a wide range of computing technologies in order to achieve their business goals. In this paper, we follow a participatory action research approach and collaborate with various stakeholders at an entrepreneurial co-working space to design “Tech Help Desk”, an on-going technical service for entrepreneurs. Our model for technical assistance is strategic, in how it is designed to fit the context of local entrepreneurs, and responsive, in how it prioritizes emergent needs. From our engagements with 19 entrepreneurs and support personnel, we reflect on the challenges with existing technology support for non-technological entrepreneurs. Our work highlights the importance of ensuring technological support services can adapt based on entrepreneurs’ ever-evolving priorities, preferences and constraints. Furthermore, we find technological support services should maintain broad technical support for entrepreneurs’ long tail of computing challenges.

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  • (2024)Exploring the Role of Social Support When Integrating Generative AI in Small Business WorkflowsCompanion Publication of the 2024 Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing10.1145/3678884.3681895(485-492)Online publication date: 11-Nov-2024
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  1. Tech Help Desk: Support for Local Entrepreneurs Addressing the Long Tail of Computing Challenges

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    CHI '22: Proceedings of the 2022 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
    April 2022
    10459 pages
    ISBN:9781450391573
    DOI:10.1145/3491102
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License.

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    Published: 28 April 2022

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    Author Tags

    1. action research
    2. community engagement
    3. entrepreneurship
    4. small business
    5. technical assistance

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    CHI '22: CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
    April 29 - May 5, 2022
    LA, New Orleans, USA

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    Overall Acceptance Rate 6,199 of 26,314 submissions, 24%

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    ACM CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
    April 26 - May 1, 2025
    Yokohama , Japan

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    • (2024)Exploring the Role of Social Support When Integrating Generative AI in Small Business WorkflowsCompanion Publication of the 2024 Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing10.1145/3678884.3681895(485-492)Online publication date: 11-Nov-2024
    • (2024)“Pretty Much an Advocate as Well”: Investigating the Experiences of Self-Employed Individuals with Visual ImpairmentsProceedings of the 21st International Web for All Conference10.1145/3677846.3677865(128-138)Online publication date: 13-May-2024
    • (2024)Sustaining Community-Based Research in Computing: Lessons from Two Tech Capacity Building Initiatives for Local BusinessesProceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/36410178:CSCW1(1-31)Online publication date: 26-Apr-2024
    • (2024)Deconstructing the Veneer of Simplicity: Co-Designing Introductory Generative AI Workshops with Local EntrepreneursProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3642191(1-16)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
    • (2024)Searching for the Non-Consequential: Dialectical Activities in HCI and the Limits of ComputersProceedings of the 2024 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3613904.3641945(1-13)Online publication date: 11-May-2024
    • (2023)How Small Businesses Transform PDF Agreements into ActionCompanion Publication of the 2023 Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work and Social Computing10.1145/3584931.3606972(177-181)Online publication date: 14-Oct-2023
    • (2023)Characterizing the Technology Needs of Vulnerable Populations for Participation in Research and Design by Adopting Maslow’s Hierarchy of NeedsProceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544548.3581221(1-20)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023
    • (2023)Framework for securing information on helpdesk systems based on blockchain and IPFS technologies2023 IEEE XXX International Conference on Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computing (INTERCON)10.1109/INTERCON59652.2023.10326071(1-6)Online publication date: 2-Nov-2023

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