Abstract
We investigate how Web-based technologies, in particular intranets and extranets, are configured to support communication and collaboration in dispersed project groups. We studied the use of these technologies in two development projects in the pharmaceutical industry. We focus on how two particular configuration decisions - the responsibility for content provision and access restrictions - enable and constrain the use of the technology in this context. Drawing on perspectives from the field of computer mediated communication and our empirical findings, we argue that these two configuration decisions have a significant effect in shaping the nature of content and the communication that take place via the Webbased medium. Our findings suggest that in configuring these technologies as communication media in dispersed projects, more substantive use occurs when content provision is decentralised and access to content can be restricted to specific individuals (and sub-groups) within the project. Potential content providers will likely resort to limited use of the Webbased medium or use alternative communication media (e.g. e-mail) if they are unsure who exactly has access to their content or if they suspect that recipients may not understand the context in which the communication is taking place.
Recommended Citation
Nicolajsen, Hanne W. and Scheepers, Rens, "Configuring Web-based Support for Dispersed Project Groups" (2002). PACIS 2002 Proceedings. 52.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/pacis2002/52