From The Matrix to a Model of Coordinated Action (MoCA)

Abstract

The CSCW community is reliant upon technology-centric models of groupware and collaboration that frame how we examine and design for cooperative work. This paper both reviews the CSCW literature to examine existing models of collaborative work and proposes a new, expanded conceptual model: the Model of Coordinated Action (MoCA). MoCA is a broader framework for describing complex collaborative situations and environments including, but not limited to, collaborations that have diverse, high-turnover memberships or emerging practices. We introduce MoCA's seven dimensions of coordinative action and illustrate their connection to past and current CSCW research. Finally, we discuss some ramifications of MoCA for our understanding of CSCW as a sociotechnical design space.

Synchronous Text Messaging

“…In this paper we have gone 'back to basics' with CSCW theory [11,28] by addressing the distinction between synchronous and asynchronous communication. This distinction, which was fundamental to the 'classic' CSCW matrix, appears to have been losing its descriptive power of late with messaging apps because they enable and blur both forms of interaction.…”

Technologies, Methods, and Values

“…In particular, Lee and Paine [20] propose a Model of Coordinated Action (MoCA), which summarizes many of these research trends and suggest a comprehensive set of dimensions upon which research can be classied. While they suggest novel dimensions such as nascence, planned permanence, number of communities of practice, turnover, and number of users, their review is directed at the classication of individual contributions instead of understanding trends within the eld over time.…”

“…Publications were classied as being Synchronous or Asynchronous (i.e., Time) and Collocated or Distributed (i.e., Place). While the utility of these dimensions has been criticized in the past (e.g., Mogenson and Robinson [23]), these dimensions are often used to scope research, in literature reviews, and inform models of collaboration [10,20,26]. We therefore included Synchronicity and Distribution for consistency and continuity with other reviews, and to provide a high-level perspective of research over time.…”

“…Our 'Other' category included devices such as cameras, phidgets, and other custom-designed hardware. This categorization provides a means of measuring the 'nascence' [20] of each contribution, enabled us to explore how quickly CSCW has published research relating to the use of novel technologies such as smartphones and tablets before and after their emergence as mainstream computing devices, and provided an opportunity to characterize how frequently CSCW research explores the use of novel or experimental technologies.…”

“…Lee and Paine [20] note that while early CSCW research was initially dened as focusing on small groups, it now encompasses a spectrum of coordinated activity. Where early literature reviews were concerned with questions such as "How do we evaluate?"…”