Computer supported workgroup systems

Abstract

This study focus on the evaluation of computer supported systems designed to support work group - Computer Supported Workgroup Systems (CSWS). The evaluation of this new kind of systems is considered in a multiperspective and comprehensive way. The evaluation perspectives are: system quality, information quality, use, user satisfaction, individual impact and organisational impact. The model of success as presented by DeLone and McLean (1992) was then extended to CSWS, which extension, in its turn, resulted in a model of success for those systems. On trying to come up with measures to evaluate the success of CSWS, the present work involved a selection and analysis of studies on the evaluation of the success of those systems. Its findings were as follows: (1) measures to evaluate the impact (or effect) of CSWS on groups were obtained; (2) research methods (e.g., field studies, case studies, laboratory experiments and field experiments), such as those employed in the evaluation of the remaining computer supported systems were identified. A new perspective on the evaluation of the success of CSWS - group impact - was brought about by a systematisation of the measures which were arrived at.