Cooperative processing: an agenda for research

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential research agenda for Cooperative Processing (COP). COP is a method of processing in which communications is an integral part of the process of executing an application. Numerous innovative products that support COP are starting to appear on the market. However, as is usually the case with any new technology, many organizations have not yet implemented COP. They have embraced a "wait and see" attitude. Such a stance can be attributed to the newness of the applications operating in COP mode and to the lack of data demonstrating COP'S uses and benefits. For example, no data, at present, demonstrates basic COP efficacy.Among many possible research areas this paper suggests topics such as: potential COP users, types of applications benefiting from the COP processing mode, and organizational and technological factors involved in COP implementation.