The successful adoption of groupware: perceptions of the users

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Kline, Theresa J.B.^{; *} | Gardiner, Helen

Affiliations: The University of Calgary, Department of Psychology, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada

Correspondence: [*] Please address correspondence to: Dr. Theresa Kline, Department of Psychology, The University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr., N.W., Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada. Tel.: +1 403 220 3469; Fax: +1 403 282 8249; E-mail: [email protected].

Abstract: This study was conducted to allow the end-users of groupware systems to voice their opinions about the systems. Thirty one-on-one interviews were carried out with members of different organizations and who used different groupware systems. The qualitative data was analyzed and several consistent themes emerged in response to the questions we asked regarding the expectations of the system and the variables that fostered or hindered the successful adoption of the system. Results indicated that many expectations of the users had not been met by the system, and that the variables of enough training and technical support while in the initial stages of learning to use the systems were by far the most important in the adoption process.

Keywords: Groupware, computer-supported cooperative work, teams

DOI: 10.3233/HSM-1997-16408

Journal: Human Systems Management, vol. 16, no. 4, pp. 301-306, 1997