What are workplace studies for?

Citation

Plowman L, Rogers Y & Ramage M (1995) What are workplace studies for?. In: Marmolin H, Sundblad Y & Schmidt K (eds.) Proceedings of the Fourth European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. 4th European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, Stockholm, Sweden, 10.09.1995-14.09.1995. Springer / Kluwer, pp. 309-324. http://www.springer.com/social+sciences/social+sciences%2C+general/book/978-0-7923-3697-6?detailsPage=toc

Abstract
We have considered the role of workplace studies in the CSCW literature which are intended to inform system design and implementation. We present a critique of these studies, categorised according to which phase of the design process they most inform, and discuss the tensions between providing explanatory accounts and usable design recommendations, the pressures on fieldworkers to provide both, the purposes different approaches serve, and the transition from fieldwork to system design.

Keywords
workplace; CSCW; fieldwork; work studies; Teams in the workplace; Groupware (Computer software); Technological innovations Employee participation; Communication and technology