Workplace Communities as Facilitators for Work

Student: Norm Su, UC Irvine/ISR

Supervisor: Stewart A. Sutton, The Aerospace Corporation

Advisors: Gloria Mark, UC Irvine/ISR,

Abstract: Through a wide range of information technologies information workers are continuing to expand their circle of contacts. In tandem, research is also focusing more and more on the role that both face-to-face and distributed interactions play in accomplishing work. Though some empirical studies have illustrated the importance of informal interaction and networks in establishing collaborations there is still a need for more in situ research to understand how different types of interactions support group work. Our results have shown that multiple types of communities, groups and networks influence people in the workplace. We have introduced connectors as a unit of analysis to characterize how work is done in multiple contexts. Seven distinct classes of connectors (work home, company, formal, professional, social, private and common workrole) were derived through using a grounded theory approach on ethnographic observations. The connectors we have introduced can provide a useful framework for investigating how and why people navigate between multiple formal and informal communities in their work life. These results are consistent with other ethnographic studies which show that people are involved in multiple activities that they constantly move in and out of in the workplace.

Bio:

Norman Su is a PhD student in the Department of Informatics. His research focus is on workplace interaction patterns.

Stewart A. Sutton leads the enterprise-wide Knowledge Management program for The Aerospace Corporation. He is accountable for both technology validation and process changes that are directed toward improving collaboration and stewardship within the enterprise. Previously, he was a Senior Manager at Cap Gemini Ernst & Young. Stewart plays an active role in fostering collaboration with UC Irvine and The Aerospace Corporation.