Presence-based, Context-sensitive Real-Time Collaboration (RTC) - research directions for a new type of eCollaboration system

This paper presents Presence-based, Context-sensitive Real-Time Collaboration (RTC), a new and emerging eCollaboration technology that has its roots in both the telecommunications and groupware market. The aim of the paper is twofold. Firstly, it offers a conceptualisation of RTC consisting of usage scenarios and four main building blocks – integration of communication channels, presenceawareness information, context integration, and further eCollaboration features. Secondly, the paper intends to offer a starting point for future research on RTC as it attempts to touch upon and systematise different research directions and typical questions for researching RTC in the future in order to understand the organisational implications of this complex and embedded information system.