Bridging gaps by cooperation engineering
Gerhard Chroust · 2008
The growing complexity and interdisciplinarity of problems in commerce, production, logistics, and nowadays in view of natural and man-made desasters ad requires increased intensive, reliable and effective cooperation. On the other hand globalisation impedes the classical form of cooperation in face-to-face meetings, causing gaps in the cooperation between participants. Taking a broad view on the gaps we provide a five-dimensional classification of gaps from spatial difference up to cultural discrepancies. Additionally we provide a five-dimensional classification of types of cooperation, from coexistence to (true) collaboration. We further show how the historical development of generations of computer support, from shared views to Second Life, and relate their effects on bridging the various gaps.