Information & Decision Sciences

Abstract With the rapid development of information communication technologies (ICT) over the past decade, the nature of how organization members communicate has changed, becoming far more complex and challenging. Communication risks brought about by technology-mediated communication can sometimes be detrimental to the overall organizational function and success. We classify these communication risks into three types: reception, understanding, and action risks.

Abstract Boundaries such as time, distance, organisation and culture have been a useful conceptual tool for researchers to unpack changes in the virtual work environment, moving from a dichotomous perspective that contrasts face-to-face and virtual work to a more nuanced hybrid perspective. However, researchers may tacitly assume that all members of a virtual team and virtual teams collectively will respond to a boundary in a similar way.

Abstract The word" virtual" has become a potent buzzword and, as such, is freely applied to many situations, with many meanings. As a result, it, like other buzzwords, is in danger of meaning nothing. In this paper, we develop a more precise understanding of the use of the word" virtual" to describe changing work environments. Our specific contribution is to propose a framework to classify these different work environments based on the type of discontinuities involved.

Abstract Meetings are forums that produce organization as social relationships are constructed and reconstructed. They are such a common occurrence in contemporary organizations that almost everyone shares an understanding of what a meeting is and what participation in a meeting looks like.

Abstract Distributed work teams are increasingly being implemented to enhance organizational flexibility and competitiveness in today's complex and rapidly changing work environment. Electronic media is used to enable or facilitate their communication. Though an increasing number of employees work in such settings, there is little investigation of the performance of communication-based work processes in supporting their work in the multiple teams.

ABSTRACT The goal of this paper is to propose a method to measure the perception of discontinuities and development of continuities that will impact a distributed team's ability to achieve effective performance. The proposed method is grounded in organizational discontinuities theory within the context of innovation teams. Future research can use this method to understand differences in performance outcomes for academic-industry partnerships, and improve the capability, effectiveness, and output of innovative teams.

Virtual work has become an increasingly common phenomenon in today's organizations. Substantial and continuing changes in organizational processes and IT infrastructure have increased the pace and intensity of working across traditionally impermeable boundaries, enabling diverse forms of collaboration. However, our understanding of the consequences and implications of virtual work still lags and research results have been contradictory.

Abstract Some organization theorists argue that prevailing theories of organizing are based primarily on detailed observations of bureaucratic work, but that the nature of work today is sufficiently different to bring the applicability of these theories into question. They note in particular the growth in white collar and service workers, the rise of “contingent work” and the increased application of computer technologies.

Abstract. Employees in global corporations are increasingly involved in 'virtual teams' on a regular basis. Conflicting definitions of virtuality make it hard to measure such things as how much virtual teaming occurs and how virtual teaming affects performance. As a consequence, it is hard to allocate funding and to design infrastructures and software to support this specific mode of working.

Research on the concept of telecommuting or telework, as it is known in various areas of the world, has appeared in information systems (IS) and non-IS publications for more than 20 years. Research areas with respect to telecommuting are quite varied, from Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) use, to transportation, managerial control, work-life issues, and more. A significant number of these studies have taken into account the role of technology in enabling telecommuting.

There is considerable interest in the use of social media in organizations today. In this chapter I explore the potential for use of social network sites (SNSs) for performing organizational work activities. I focus on the use of SNSs in the workplace for communication and collaboration between employees (either in the same or different organizations), which is directed toward the range of firm activities supporting the production and distribution of products and services.

Abstract Meetings are a common occurrence in contemporary organizations. The authors' exploratory study at Intel, an innovative global technology company, suggests that meetings are evolving beyond their familiar definition as the pervasive use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) changes work practices associated with meetings.

Page 1. Does Distance Matter? – Bridging the Discontinuities in Distributed Organizations www.uic.edu/~mbwm/HICSS-38i Mei Lu User Centered Design Intel Corporation mei.lu@intel.com Mary Beth Watson-Manheim Dept. of Information and Decision Sciences University of Illinois, Chicago mbwm@uic.edu Charles H.

Abstract It is widely agreed that the trend toward distributed software development is growing. Although there are difficulties involved, this trend is here to stay, as organizations will continue to search for ways to develop software at lower cost but with same quality. Current research has focused primarily on the later stages of the software development life cycle, especially coding of software requirements.

Abstract: When a decision maker uses information extracted from databases, the retrieved information is expected to be accurate. However, databases are often poorly designed and maintained. This dramatically decreases the quality of information obtained from the databases. The integrity of a database can be maintained by enforcing integrity constrains on the database. The problem is that the identification and definition of the required constraints largely depend on the skill of a database designer.

Abstract Distributed work literature has sought to explain why and under what conditions workers choose to use distributed work arrangements, but often has resulted in contradictions and dilemmas. The literature has reached the point where significant progress can be made by applying existing organizational theories to explain past distributed work dilemmas and to serve as a foundation for future research.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the use of communication portfolios in the distributed work environments (DWEs). A communication portfolio refers to a mix of information communication technologies (ICTs), consisting of either single ICT or multiple ICTs, that organization communicators can use for communication in the workplace. Our results showed that a variety of communication portfolios with different sizes, contents and structuring mechanisms were used organization members in the DWEs.

Abstract Today's work environment is complex and challenging for workers. Organizations are increasingly focused on collaboration and seek the advantages of flexibility to facilitate innovation. In many organizations, the rate of change itself has increased, driven by more intense competition.

Abstract:“Virtual” is a potent buzzword, freely applied to many situations, with many meanings. In this exploratory study, we develop a more precise understanding of “virtual” to describe changing work environments. Specifically, we propose a framework to classify work environments based on the type of discontinuities involved. Discontinuities are gaps or a lack of coherence in aspects of work. The framework allows us to compare research across different topics and work settings.

Abstract Meetings have long been a critical activity in contemporary work life. At least since Mintzberg's classic study of managerial behavior, researchers have documented and practitioners have bemoaned the amount of time spent in meetings. Despite these problems, meetings are becoming even more common in organizations. Teams are now found throughout the organization, from the manufacturing floor to senior management.