Chapter List

Philip Powell

This part comprises four chapters grouped around the general theme of communications and information provision. As technology has become cheaper, faster, smaller and ubiquitous, so problems over the mechanics of IT have given way to discussion about how the information (and now knowledge) that organizations have can be stored, shared and used. Instead of information technology being a barrier to people working together, it is now a facilitator. This is especially true in knowledge intensive firms such as consultancies. However, as the first chapter illustrates, developing groupware is just as problematic as for any other type of system.

The first chapter sets the scene on groupware and Lotus Notes. While much is written in the trade press about these tools and some organizations are reported to have reaped great benefits from them, there is little survey work which shows who is using them and for what. Based on an extensive questionnaire, this chapter argues that a lack of awareness about the role and functions of groupware can seriously inhibit success. Again, a business need is paramount. Unless organizations need to share data and knowledge then groupware will have little impact. The issue of alignment comes up here again - groupware needs to be part of the strategy. Finally, a...