CSCW , Or What ’ s In A Name ?

The topic of Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) has attracted much attention in the last few years. While the field is obviously still in the process of development, there is a marked ambiguity about exactly what is or is not included under its rubric. The lack of a commonly accepted view on the nature of the field may hinder its further development and lead to fractionation. In this paper we set out an approach to CSCW which would provide a more coherent conceptual framework for this area. This paper develops a framework for CSCW suggesting that it should be concerned with the support requirements of cooperative work forms. Other conceptualizations of the field are briefly contrasted in the context of how they view cooperative work. The paper then presents and enlarges on some important issues that we see as vital to the development of usable CSCW systems including support for articulation work and support for cooperation via the construction of a common information space.