Factors Influencing the Co-Evolution of Computer-Mediated Collaborative Practices and Systems: A Museum Case Study

Abstract

This article offers an analysis of the process of co-evolution as observed in the computer-mediated collaborative systems and practices of a university museum. It presents results from a longitudinal case study of the design and development of a collaborative process to pack and move a museum's collections over a period of five years. Drawing upon a specific set of collaboration records spanning 18 months, the article identifies three factors that influenced the co-evolution of the computer-mediated collaborative systems and practices in use at the museum. The article concludes by examining the potential impact of these factors on the design of computer-mediated collaborative systems, in order to shed light on the wider issue of co-evolution of collaborative systems and practices in all organizations.