Advanced multi-phase trust evaluation model for collaboration between coworkers in dynamic virtual project teams

With the globalization of commercial practices and advances in information and communication technologies, increasing numbers of enterprises and workers are establishing cross-functional, geographically distributed virtual project teams (VPTs) to maximize competitive advantage from limited labor and resources. One of the major challenges for workers in VPT is developing trust. Trust is a particularly crucial issue for VPT success because numerous project tasks are interdependent, making team members reliant on the functional expertise of their partners. The challenge to develop trust is particularly complex because trust should consider various factors into different assessments made during different phases of a VPT. This study first introduces a previously proposed trust evaluation model for evaluating trust over the lifecycle of VPTs. The original method, which comprises a method for evaluating trust between two VPT workers and a method for evaluating worker reliability, in which direct, indirect and negative trust relationships are considered in calculating trust between workers. This study aims to improve this method and then design an advanced multi-phase trust evaluation model, which comprises calculus-based, contribution-based and affective-based trust evaluation sub-models for evaluating trust during three different VPT phases (early, middle and late project phases). The advanced multi-phase trust evaluation model is a more appropriate means of assessing degree of trust among coworkers than the original model. Therefore, using the three sub-models during different project phases can assist VPT workers in making more accurate decisions regarding secure resource sharing with other coworkers.     

GDISD团队动态协作信任演化过程研究

异地分布式信息系统开发(GDISD)团队间协作关系是动态发展的,根据组织间信任演进理论,分析分布式开发团队协作关系的发展过程,构建GDISD团队动态协作信任演进的理论模型.从生态学种群增长的视角,运用logistic方程对GDISD团队协作信任演化进行数理分析,使用Jacobi矩阵对方程改进,通过仿真对演化模型进行模拟分析.研究发现,GDISD团队形成与建立的初期,协作方自身信任度的建立对协作信任的发展具有积极作用,并且对信任度的感知积极影射给对方,会加速GDISD团队协作信任的动态演化.研究结果对于分布式团队的管理具有显著的意义.     

Online collaboration: Collaborative behavior patterns and factors affecting globally distributed team performance

Studying the collaborative behavior of online learning teams and how this behavior is related to communication mode and task type is a complex process. Research about small group learning suggests that a higher percentage of social interactions occur in synchronous rather than asynchronous mode, and that students spend more time in task-oriented interaction in asynchronous discussions than in synchronous mode. This study analyzed the collaborative interaction patterns of global software development learning teams composed of students from Turkey, US, and Panama. Data collected from students’ chat histories and forum discussions from three global software development projects were collected and compared. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods were used to determine the differences between a group’s communication patterns in asynchronous versus synchronous communication mode. K-means clustering with the Ward method was used to investigate the patterns of behaviors in distributed teams. The results show that communication patterns are related to communication mode, the nature of the task, and the experience level of the leader. The paper also includes recommendations for building effective online collaborative teams and describes future research possibilities.     

Evolution of cognitive trust in distributed software development teams: a punctuated equilibrium model

A significant body of literature has addressed trust in distributed teams. However, several important issues such as 1) trust in distributed software development teams, 2) the evolution of cognitive trust, and 3) the role of communication media in trust development have not been adequately addressed. The objective of this paper is to address the void discussed above by conducting a longitudinal study to examine the evolution of cognitive trust among distributed software development teams from USA and Norway or Switzerland. The results suggest that cognitive trust develops in accordance with the tenets of the Punctuated Equilibrium Model (PEM). Additionally, our study also suggests that different factors are important for trust building during the different stages of a software development project. The findings contribute to the body of trust research and to practice by identifying stages in a software development project during which managerial intervention can help elevate trust levels.     

Designing e-Coordinator for improved teams collaboration in graduation projects

The work presented in this paper describes the design for Graduation Project eCoordination System in our department. The proposed eCoordinator provides effective team–team, supervisor–team and coordinator–supervisors–teams collaboration. eCoordinator is an attribute based framework that serves evolving an object oriented software system into agent oriented software system. Nowadays, agent-oriented software development technologies have evolved rapidly; it is emerging as a new paradigm for constructing intelligent more autonomous software systems. Therefore, several methodologies are available and it is difficult to determine the most appropriate methodology for specific project within different domains. This is especially occurs when re-engineering current object oriented software system. The case study is going to be rebuilding a virtual graduation project coordinator in Information Technology Department at King Saud University.     

Cognitive,social, and environmental attributes of distributed engineering collaboration: A review and proposed model of collaboration

The objective of this article is to review the attributes that influence distributed collaboration groups engaged in engineering tasks in order to guide the research into the development of new tools and methods to support engineering groups. Three comprehensive areas of literature that describe the cognitive, social, and environmental factors influencing collaboration are covered including task characteristics, collaborative technology, and group/individual development. A model is proposed that can contribute to the understanding of the engineering collaboration process, distributed group interaction, and the role of the task within this environment. The relationships between the attributes included in the model are hypothesized to affect the distributed collaboration process. This article discusses the attributes and suggests that further research is required to validate the model's relationships. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Challenges of IT implementation for supporting collaboration in distributed organizations

The study focuses on the implementation of information technology (IT) for supporting collaboration in distributed organizations, i.e. organizations consisting of two or more semi-autonomous units in different geographical locations. Six case studies of IT implementation projects have been conducted, focusing on the challenges in the implementation process as seen from the perspective of the implementation team. Being of an exploratory nature, the study has identified a large number of issues that have influenced the different stages in the implementation process. The implementation context studied is found to imply several additional challenges for the implementation team, compared to ‘traditional’ intra-organizational IT implementation. This is a result of greater autonomy among the participating units, heterogeneous technological platforms and logistical barriers in the implementation activities. Resistance from the organizational units, technological incompatibility and lack of incentives for adopting new work practices, are identified as major barriers in the implementation. In general, the implementation is found to require a process of maturation, where implementers and adopters gradually develop an understanding of how the technology can support the organizational needs.     

Wikibooks in higher education: Empowerment through online distributed collaboration

In this case study, wiki technology was applied to the development of an introductory academic textbook on information systems. While the development, production and distribution of traditional textbooks are influenced by commercial interests, the wikitextbook was developed collaboratively by faculty and by students, and was made available online free of charge. After about two years of activity, the wikitextbook accumulated 564 sub-chapters, co-authored by undergraduate and graduate students in more than 20 classes offered by seven academic departments across three Israeli universities. We discuss the potential of wikitextbooks as vehicles of empowerment to students, teachers, and the discipline. This type of collaborative online technology intimates an influence on the status-quo in academic education in favor of less empowered stakeholders. However, caution is advised in drawing premature conclusions from results reported here. The implementation of wikitextbook should be augmented by a careful study of cultural, societal, behavioral and pedagogic variables.     

Evaluating the value of collaboration systems in collocated teams: A longitudinal analysis

Distributed work structure has increased the importance of group work. Consequently, the usage of collaboration systems that support group work has increased exponentially. However, limited research exists on why collocated group members use collaborative system and how their perceptions about the system change from project initiation to project completion. The study proposes resource management support, coordination support, and evaluation support as key aspects based on which collocated users form beliefs about collaboration system value. Based on technology acceptance model and expectancy disconfirmation theory, we propose a model that examines the evolution of user beliefs from pre to post-adoption stage. Further, we argue that users may engage in different information processing strategies as part of the belief change process. The research model was examined based on longitudinal data collected from student groups working on a software application development project over a three month period. The results show that users deemed all features to be valuable at the pre-adoption stage. However, at the post-adoption stage evaluation support was the only factor that had a direct influence on collaboration system usefulness. While the impact of other support factors was mediated through the confirmation process. Further, users engaged in high information processing in revising their beliefs about collaboration system features, when they experienced a high level of dissonance. On the contrary, a dual information processing approach was visible in the context of support features that required adjustment or update to beliefs from pre to post-adoption stage. The study provides three core areas around which designers can structure collaboration system features to make it more useful. It also provides theoretical insights into the process through which user cognitions about collaboration system value change over time.     

一种基于环形协作算法的分布式入侵检测模型

文章分析了当前流行的分布式入侵检测系统的特征以及协作方式，提出了一种基于逻辑环形协作算法的分布式入侵检测系统，以解决目前分布式入侵检测系统中各系统间协作效率低、检测响应慢的缺陷。     

The contingent effects of leadership on team collaboration in virtual teams

Decision-making in virtual teams creates challenges for leaders to structure team processes and provide task support. To help advance our knowledge of leadership in virtual teams, we explore the interaction effects between leadership styles and media richness on task cohesion and cooperative climate, which in turn influence team performance in decision-making tasks. Results from a laboratory study suggest that transactional leadership behaviors improve task cohesion of the team, whereas transformational leadership behaviors improve cooperative climate within the team which, in turn, improves task cohesion. However, these effects of leadership depend on media richness. Specifically, they occur only when media richness is low. Our results also suggest that task cohesion leads to group consensus and members’ satisfaction with the discussion, whereas cooperative climate improves discussion satisfaction and reduces time spent on the task.     

支持可扩展性的设计模式协作研究

在软件设计中,设计模式已被大量采用,以提高系统的可扩展性、可重用性和可维护性.从使用设计模式应用的实际例子出发,研究设计模式在实际的应用中会遇到的协作方面的问题.从系统的可扩展性角度讨论了设计模式协作的度量准则,从中提出了设计模式协作的友好性分类,并通过设计模式的应用的实例来分析设计模式协作的友好性分类准则的使用方式,对设计模式的协作使用提出了指导性的意见和建议.     

How to get mature global virtual teams: a framework to improve team process management in distributed software teams

Managing global software development teams is not an easy task because of the additional problems and complexities that have to be taken into account. This paper defines VTManager, a methodology that provides a set of efficient practices for global virtual team management in software development projects. These practices integrate software development techniques in global environments with others such as explicit practices for global virtual team management, definition of skills and abilities needed to work in these teams, availability of collaborative work environments and shared knowledge management practices. The results obtained and the lessons learned from implementing VTManager in a pilot project to develop software tools for collaborative work in rural environments are also presented. This project was carried out by geographically distributed teams involving people from seven countries with a high level of virtualness.     

3D teleimmersion for collaboration and interaction of geographically distributed users

Teleimmersion is an emerging technology that enables users to collaborate remotely by generating realistic 3D avatars in real time and rendering them inside a shared virtual space. The teleimmersive environment thus provides a venue for collaborative work on 3D data such as medical imaging, scientific data and models, archaeological datasets, architectural or mechanical designs, remote training (e.g., oil rigs, military applications), and remote teaching of physical activities (e.g., rehabilitation, dance). In this paper, we present our research work performed over the course of several years in developing the teleimmersive technology using image-based stereo and more recently Kinect. We outline the issues pertaining to the capture, transmission, rendering, and interaction. We describe several applications where we have explored the use of the 3D teleimmersion for remote interaction and collaboration among professional and scientific users. We believe the presented findings are relevant for future developers in teleimmersion and apply across various 3D video capturing technologies.     

A platform for virtual collaboration spaces and educational communities: the case of EVE

This paper presents the design, implementation and evaluation of EVE Community Prototype, which is an educational virtual community aiming to meet the requirements of a Virtual Collaboration Space and to support e-learning services. Furthermore, this paper describes the design and implementation of an integrated platform for Networked Virtual Environments, called EVE Platform, which supports the afore-mentioned educational community. This platform supports stable event sharing and creation of multi-user three dimensional (3D) places, H.323-based voice over IP services integrated in 3D spaces as well as multiple concurrent virtual worlds. Christos Bouras obtained his Diploma and PhD from the Department Of Computer Engineering and Informatics of Patras University (Greece). He is currently an Associate Professor in the above department. Also he is a scientific advisor of Research Unit 6 in Research Academic Computer Technology Institute (CTI), Patras, Greece. His research interests include Analysis of Performance of Networking and Computer Systems, Computer Networks and Protocols, Telematics and New Services, QoS and Pricing for Networks and Services, e-Learning Networked Virtual Environments and WWW Issues. He has extended professional experience in Design and Analysis of Networks, Protocols, Telematics and New Services. He has published 200 papers in various well-known refereed conferences and journals. He is a co-author of seven books in Greek. He has been a PC member and referee in various international journals and conferences. He has participated in R&D projects such as RACE, ESPRIT, TELEMATICS, EDUCATIONAL MULTIMEDIA, ISPO, EMPLOYMENT, ADAPT, STRIDE, EUROFORM, IST, GROWTH and others. Also he is member of experts in the Greek Research and Technology Network (GRNET), Advisory Committee Member to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), Member of WG3.3 and WG6.4 of IFIP, Task Force for Broadband Access in Greece, ACM, IEEE, EDEN, AACE and New York Academy of Sciences. Eleftheria Giannaka obtained her Diploma from the Informatics Department of the Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki (Greece) and her Masters Degree from the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department of Patras University. She is currently a PhD Candidate of the Department of Computer Engineer and Informatics of Patras University. Furthermore, she is working as an R&D Computer Engineer at the Research Unit 6 of the Computer Technology Institute in Patra (Greece). Her interests include Computer Networks, Virtual Networks, System Architecture, Internet Applications, Electronic Commerce, Database Implementation and Administration, Virtual Reality applications, Performance Evaluation and Programming. Alexandros Panagopoulos was born in Pyrgos, Greece, 1981. He obtained his Diploma, from the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department of Patras University (Greece). In 2000 he became a member of Research Unit 6 of the Computer Technology Institute (CTI). His interests include Computer Networks, Multiuser Virtual Environments, Telematics, and C/C++ and Java programming. Dr. Thrasyvoulos Tsiatsos obtained his Diploma, his Master's Degree and his PhD from the Computer Engineering and Informatics Department of Patras University (Greece). He is currently an R&D Computer Engineer at the Research Unit 6 of Computer Technology Institute, Patras, Greece. His research interests include Computer Networks, Telematics, Distributed Systems, Networked Virtual Environments, Multimedia and Hypermedia. More particular he is engaged in Distant Education with the use of Computer Networks, Real Time Protocols and Networked Virtual Environments. He has published nine papers in journals and 30 papers in well-known refereed conferences. He has participated in R&D projects such as OSYDD, RTS-GUNET, ODL-UP, VES, ODL-OTE, INVITE, VirRAD and EdComNet.     

A tool supporting root cause analysis for synchronous retrospectives in distributed software teams

ContextRoot cause analysis (RCA) is a useful practice for software project retrospectives, and is typically carried out in synchronous collocated face-to-face meetings. Conducting RCA with distributed teams is challenging, as face-to-face meetings are infeasible. Lack of adequate real-time tool support exacerbates this problem. Furthermore, there are no empirical studies on using RCA in synchronous retrospectives of geographically distributed teams.ObjectiveThis paper presents a real-time cloud-based software tool (ARCA-tool) we developed to support RCA in distributed teams and its initial empirical evaluation. The feasibility of using RCA with distributed teams is also evaluated.MethodWe compared our tool with 35 existing RCA software tools. We conducted field studies of four distributed agile software teams at two international software product companies. The teams conducted RCA collaboratively in synchronous retrospective meetings by using the tool we developed. We collected the data using observations, interviews and questionnaires.ResultsComparison revealed that none of the existing 35 tools matched all the features of our ARCA-tool. The team members found ARCA-tool to be an essential part of their distributed retrospectives. They considered the software as efficient and very easy to learn and use. Additionally, the team members perceived RCA to be a vital part of the retrospectives. In contrast to the prior retrospective practices of the teams, the introduced RCA method was evaluated as efficient and easy to use.ConclusionRCA is a useful practice in synchronous distributed retrospectives. However, it requires software tool support for enabling real-time view and co-creation of a cause-effect diagram. ARCA-tool supports synchronous RCA, and includes support for logging problems and causes, problem prioritization, cause-effect diagramming, and logging of process improvement proposals. It enables conducting RCA in distributed retrospectives.     

CoBTx-Net: A model for business collaboration reliability verification

Collaborative business process can become unreliable when business partners collaborate in a peer- based fashion without central control. Therefore, reliability checking becomes an important issue that needs to be dealt with for any generic solution in managing business collaboration. In this paper, we propose a novel Choreographical Business Transaction Net (CoBTx-Net) to model collaborative business process and to manage the collaboration by individual participants. Furthermore three reliability properties named Time-embedded dead marking freeness, Inter-organizational dead marking freeness, and Collaborative soundness are defined based on CoBTx-Net to verify (1) the violation of time constraint, (2) collaborative logic conflicts, and (3) the improper termination from individual organizations.

Temporal symmetry in primary auditory cortex: implications for cortical connectivity

Neurons in primary auditory cortex (AI) in the ferret (Mustela putorius) that are well described by their spectrotemporal response field (STRF) are found also to have a distinctive property that we call temporal symmetry. For temporally symmetric neurons, every temporal cross-section of the STRF (impulse response) is given by the same function of time, except for a scaling and a Hilbert rotation. This property held in 85% of neurons (123 out of 145) recorded from awake animals and in 96% of neurons (70 out of 73) recorded from anesthetized animals. This property of temporal symmetry is highly constraining for possible models of functional neural connectivity within and into AI. We find that the simplest models of functional thalamic input, from the ventral medial geniculate body (MGB), into the entry layers of AI are ruled out because they are incompatible with the constraints of the observed temporal symmetry. This is also the case for the simplest models of functional intracortical connectivity. Plausible models that do generate temporal symmetry, from both thalamic and intracortical inputs, are presented. In particular, we propose that two specific characteristics of the thalamocortical interface may be responsible. The first is a temporal mismatch between the fast dynamics of the thalamus and the slow responses of the cortex. The second is that all thalamic inputs into a cortical module (or a cluster of cells) must be restricted to one point of entry (or one cell in the cluster). This latter property implies a lack of correlated horizontal interactions across cortical modules during the STRF measurements. The implications of these insights in the auditory system, and comparisons with similar properties in the visual system, are explored.