Understanding Collaborative Problem-Solving on the Move: A Design Science Research Journey

Abstract

The emergence of globally distributed teams and the evolution of mobile technologies have increased the number of mobile knowledge workers (MKW). MKW are professionals who frequently work on the move, far from a fixed workplace, performing knowledge-intensive activities. MKW often work alone, which leads them to face constant challenges in their work practices and difficulties to get timely knowledge to solve their problems alone. Still, little is known about how the collaborative problem-solving is carried out in the MKW's context. To address this gap, we adopted the Design Science Research (DSR) as a research method, and we applied activity theory (AT) and expansive learning as theoretical foundations to understand the MKW's context. We created an artifact-a method implemented via a mobile app-to support collaborative problem-solving processes on the move, which allowed us to understand better how these processes occur, contributing not only to problems resolutions but also to organizational learning.

KNOWCON 2022. Knowledge on Economics and Management: Conference Proceedings

“…Companies use Customer relationship management software (CRM) to provide customers services at the demanded quality and time necessary to ensure customer loyalty (Geetha et al, 2017). Since there is a rising number of mobile knowledge workers, that means knowledge workers who work remotely or on terrain, mobile apps seem to be a promising tool to enable them to collaborate (Francisco & Klein, 2020).…”

Designing strategy formulation in the midst of uncertainty in digital citizen engagement: A critical reflection of the application of Design Science Research augmented by Soft Systems Methodology to the design of strategy formulation

“…These challenges exemplify unpredictability in that concerned stakeholders are not aware of what they do not know concerning themselves as well as the problem (Ritchey, 2013). One approach to addressing wicked information systems related problems (such as civic tech project strategizing) is a DSR oriented approach (Francisco & Klein, 2020; Hellmuth & Stewart, 2014; Hevner et al, 2004). Specifically, DSR aids in dealing with wicked problems, by creating artifacts to better understand these problems (Francisco & Klein, 2020; Hevner et al, 2004; Iivari & Venable, 2009).…”

“…One approach to addressing wicked information systems related problems (such as civic tech project strategizing) is a DSR oriented approach (Francisco & Klein, 2020; Hellmuth & Stewart, 2014; Hevner et al, 2004). Specifically, DSR aids in dealing with wicked problems, by creating artifacts to better understand these problems (Francisco & Klein, 2020; Hevner et al, 2004; Iivari & Venable, 2009). Think of the artifact as a tool that aids amplification of problems, which concerned stakeholders within the context of concern are unable to conceptualize on their own.…”

Impact beyond impact factor: The Design-science way

“…The research Promoting and Selecting Strategy-Aligned Projects through Consensus in Universities by Barbosa and Löbler (2020) sought to develop an approach to address this problem. The research by Gaspareto and Henriqson (2020), in turn, proposes a Business Model Analysis from the Activity System Perspective.…”

“…One can imagine the difficulties in maintaining communication and, above all, making this work collaborative. For this challenge, the research Understanding Collaborative Problem-Solving on the Move: A Design Science Research Journey encapsulated a method in a mobile application to allow collaboration in solving problems in such environments (Francisco & Klein, 2020). It is important to realize that there are possibilities of application for traditional environments as well.…”