Computer-supported collaboration environments and the emergence of collaboration aspects

Collaboration technology advanced considerably and teams are increasingly challenged with complex knowledge-intensive collaboration settings in fast-pacing markets. This paper investigates how highly integrated computer-supported collaboration environments (CSCE) impact team processes, emergent states, and team outcomes, and how they differ from traditional collaboration environments. Pre- and post-questionnaire data was gathered from 27 professionals of a medium-sized company operating in the knowledge-intensive sector of telecommunication. Additionally, data collected in group interviews helped provide explanations for the effects found. Our results indicate that teams working in CSCEs have higher team innovation, better agreement, better coordination, and less dominance than in traditional settings. We also identified four collaboration aspects comprising leadership, seriousness, engagement, and awareness that help interpret these effects. This paper seeks to raise awareness about the importance of collaboration aspects for understanding variations in team processes and emergent states, which, in turn, impact team outcomes.