Paper Type

Complete Research Paper

Description

Advances in digital technology have led to rising complexity, information overload and challenges associated with organization-based task allocation and management. Moreover, designing for self-organizing information systems remains a developing field that requires considerable research and relevant paradigm shifts. Data-heavy digital environments where human stigmergy is happening can provide opportunities for such research, and graphical visualization of data can provide the means. The work here described is the result of a multidisciplinary interaction among the areas of design, technology and complexity and proposes data visualization as an avenu for stigmergy-driven information system research. This paper first defines relevant terminology in the field of self-organization and stigmergy (self-organized productivity), and presents the rising need for exploring alternative organization methods. Stigmergy is referred to as a relevant paradigm in describing productive human self-organization, and Wikipedia articles act as case studies for a collaborative medium. A new data visualization tool, Trace, is presented as a graphic research platform for recognizing patterns of human stigmergy. The utility of visual patterns is discussed and lines for further research set. Finally, Trace is discussed as a useful tool for exploring related topics of conflict resolution, conditions promoting stigmergy, and epistemology from the perspective of collaborative information systems.

Share

COinS
 

EMPLOYING DATA VISUALIZATION TO EXPLORE HUMAN STIGMERGY IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Advances in digital technology have led to rising complexity, information overload and challenges associated with organization-based task allocation and management. Moreover, designing for self-organizing information systems remains a developing field that requires considerable research and relevant paradigm shifts. Data-heavy digital environments where human stigmergy is happening can provide opportunities for such research, and graphical visualization of data can provide the means. The work here described is the result of a multidisciplinary interaction among the areas of design, technology and complexity and proposes data visualization as an avenu for stigmergy-driven information system research. This paper first defines relevant terminology in the field of self-organization and stigmergy (self-organized productivity), and presents the rising need for exploring alternative organization methods. Stigmergy is referred to as a relevant paradigm in describing productive human self-organization, and Wikipedia articles act as case studies for a collaborative medium. A new data visualization tool, Trace, is presented as a graphic research platform for recognizing patterns of human stigmergy. The utility of visual patterns is discussed and lines for further research set. Finally, Trace is discussed as a useful tool for exploring related topics of conflict resolution, conditions promoting stigmergy, and epistemology from the perspective of collaborative information systems.