Decisions and collaborative work
Nallini Selvaraj, Bob Fields, Paola Amaldi-Trillo · 2007
Motivation -- The driving theme for this investigation has been to present a different perspective on decision making and the effect of decisions made on the collaboration involved in a complex work process. This work is influenced by the recent change in perception towards the conceptualization of decisions and their bearing on collaborative work. Instead of viewing decisions as just a mental act the change in perception is to view it as a device for managing and coordinating activities (Brown, 2005). This investigation endeavours to demonstrate how decisions made by people in a work process not only determines their individual actions but also supports and facilitates collaborative work. This is achieved by viewing decisions as abstract information resources that encourage appropriate distribution of information, distribution of cognitive tasks, and coordination between individuals and teams involved in the work process.