Group decision making tools and collaborative work systems enable virtual teams and can enhance the  productivity of teams.  Variations in tasks, incentives, georgraphic proximity of individuals within groups, the  type of communication channel that members use to communicate, and individual differences are some of the variables that can influence various measures of use and usefulness of the collaborative tools.  The objective of this mini-track is to provide a forum for exchanging ideas on the design of next generation collaborative systems that facilitate complex group activities.

Topics for this mini-track include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Frameworks for the design of next generation collaborative tools
• Empirical studies of collaborative tools
• Coordination and communication issues in collaborating groups
• Design of incentive systems for collaborative work groups
• Task decomposition, sub-problem-sub-solution interaction, and solution synthesis issues
• Use of Artificial Intelligence and Intelligent agents into the design of next generation collaborative tools
• Behavioral and cognitive implications of distributed collaborative work

 
We invite papers that address any of the areas listed above, as well as any related issues. A range of research methodologies including conceptual, lab experiments, surveys, and case studies, among others, would be appropriate.
 
Mini Track Chair

Reza Barkhi, Ph.D. (*)
Assistant Professor of Information Systems
Department of Accounting & Information Systems
Virginia Tech (or Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University)
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0101
reza@vt.edu
Phone: (540) 231-5869