Abstract
Collaboration in complex and dynamic environments such as hospitals, airlines, and disaster response teams is challenging. High performance requires smooth coordination across multiple groups whose incentives, cultures, and routines can conflict. In this paper, we present an in-depth case study of a hospital's operating room practices to understand challenges associated with multiple group coordination and how information technology may help. We use the concept of trajectory to focus our observations and interviews on workflow across groups and critical events when coordination breaks down. A careful examination of the sources, coping mechanisms, and consequences of coordination breakdowns suggests three factors whose absence may impede effective responses to unexpected interruptions: (1) trajectory awareness of what is going on beyond a person's immediate workspace, (2) information systems integration, and (3) information pooling and learning at the organizational level. We conclude with technological recommendations to promote trajectory awareness and to automate information gathering and monitoring, so as to facilitate multiple group coordination in complex and dynamic task environments.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 105-130 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | Journal of Management Information Systems |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 2008 |
Fingerprint
Keywords
- Collaboration
- Coordination breakdown
- Group boundary
- Multiple group coordination
- Trajectory awareness
Cite this
Multiple group coordination in complex and dynamic task environments : Interruptions, coping mechanisms, and technology recommendations. / Ren, Yuqing; Kiesler, Sara; Fussell, Susan R.
In: Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 25, No. 1, 01.06.2008, p. 105-130.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Multiple group coordination in complex and dynamic task environments
T2 - Interruptions, coping mechanisms, and technology recommendations
AU - Ren, Yuqing
AU - Kiesler, Sara
AU - Fussell, Susan R.
PY - 2008/6/1
Y1 - 2008/6/1
N2 - Collaboration in complex and dynamic environments such as hospitals, airlines, and disaster response teams is challenging. High performance requires smooth coordination across multiple groups whose incentives, cultures, and routines can conflict. In this paper, we present an in-depth case study of a hospital's operating room practices to understand challenges associated with multiple group coordination and how information technology may help. We use the concept of trajectory to focus our observations and interviews on workflow across groups and critical events when coordination breaks down. A careful examination of the sources, coping mechanisms, and consequences of coordination breakdowns suggests three factors whose absence may impede effective responses to unexpected interruptions: (1) trajectory awareness of what is going on beyond a person's immediate workspace, (2) information systems integration, and (3) information pooling and learning at the organizational level. We conclude with technological recommendations to promote trajectory awareness and to automate information gathering and monitoring, so as to facilitate multiple group coordination in complex and dynamic task environments.
AB - Collaboration in complex and dynamic environments such as hospitals, airlines, and disaster response teams is challenging. High performance requires smooth coordination across multiple groups whose incentives, cultures, and routines can conflict. In this paper, we present an in-depth case study of a hospital's operating room practices to understand challenges associated with multiple group coordination and how information technology may help. We use the concept of trajectory to focus our observations and interviews on workflow across groups and critical events when coordination breaks down. A careful examination of the sources, coping mechanisms, and consequences of coordination breakdowns suggests three factors whose absence may impede effective responses to unexpected interruptions: (1) trajectory awareness of what is going on beyond a person's immediate workspace, (2) information systems integration, and (3) information pooling and learning at the organizational level. We conclude with technological recommendations to promote trajectory awareness and to automate information gathering and monitoring, so as to facilitate multiple group coordination in complex and dynamic task environments.
KW - Collaboration
KW - Coordination breakdown
KW - Group boundary
KW - Multiple group coordination
KW - Trajectory awareness
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=49049116576&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=49049116576&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2753/MIS0742-1222250105
DO - 10.2753/MIS0742-1222250105
M3 - Article
VL - 25
SP - 105
EP - 130
JO - Journal of Management Information Systems
JF - Journal of Management Information Systems
SN - 0742-1222
IS - 1
ER -