TY - GEN
T1 - Collaboration in virtual worlds
T2 - 2012 45th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2012
AU - Wigert, Benjamin
AU - De Vreede, Gert Jan
AU - Boughzala, Imed
AU - Bououd, Ikram
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Virtual worlds (VWs) are becoming a popular medium for meetings and collaborative problem solving efforts. However, complex VW communication tools and challenges in managing online social interactions are likely to complicate VW collaboration efforts. The purpose of our study therefore was to investigate the role of the facilitator when collaboration is conducted in a virtual environment. We developed a questionnaire based on major issues in real world collaboration and interviewed 14 subject-matter experts. Participants were asked to identify what key differences facilitators perceive between virtual and real world collaboration. In response, participants provided many insights, such as the new interpersonal management challenges that arise from the absence of face-to-face communication. Participants also warned of the challenges associated with the introduction of more technology to the collaboration process. Further, they identified credibility and trust issues that arise due to facilitators' avatar manipulation skills and avatar appearance. Suggestions for avoiding pitfalls and optimizing collaboration are provided.
AB - Virtual worlds (VWs) are becoming a popular medium for meetings and collaborative problem solving efforts. However, complex VW communication tools and challenges in managing online social interactions are likely to complicate VW collaboration efforts. The purpose of our study therefore was to investigate the role of the facilitator when collaboration is conducted in a virtual environment. We developed a questionnaire based on major issues in real world collaboration and interviewed 14 subject-matter experts. Participants were asked to identify what key differences facilitators perceive between virtual and real world collaboration. In response, participants provided many insights, such as the new interpersonal management challenges that arise from the absence of face-to-face communication. Participants also warned of the challenges associated with the introduction of more technology to the collaboration process. Further, they identified credibility and trust issues that arise due to facilitators' avatar manipulation skills and avatar appearance. Suggestions for avoiding pitfalls and optimizing collaboration are provided.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84857960339&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84857960339&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/HICSS.2012.158
DO - 10.1109/HICSS.2012.158
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:84857960339
SN - 9780769545257
T3 - Proceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
SP - 973
EP - 982
BT - Proceedings of the 45th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS-45
PB - IEEE Computer Society
Y2 - 4 January 2012 through 7 January 2012
ER -