Promoting Awareness of Work Activities through Peripheral Displays

Elaine M. Huang, Joe Tullio, Tony J. Costa and Joseph F. McCarthy
2002 ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computer Systems (CHI 2002) Extended Abstracts, 20-25 April 2002, Minneapolis
[Paper (PDF)]

Abstract:

The globalization of the workforce, growing prevalence of dynamic project-oriented teams, increasing flexibility in work times and places is beneficial to companies and workers. However, they contribute to the fragmentation of the workforce, reducing awareness of colleagues' activities. These awareness "gaps" result in missed opportunities for collaboration and sharing of relevant knowledge, as well as a diminished sense of community. We have conducted a user study to better understand these gaps in one particular workgroup, and have designed a system to promote stronger awareness of workplace activities using peripheral displays.