Kerstin Grundén

Evaluation of the use of videoconferences for healthcare planning

The use of Computer Supported Co-operative Work (CSCW) systems in general involves complex informal communication between multiple users at different geographical locations. An evaluation strategy for such systems has to be complex and focus especially on their organizational and social aspects. The MOA-E model is used for the evaluation of the use of videoconferences in healthcare planning. The case study has a multi-method approach and uses participatory observation, interviews and a questionnaire. If the patients are not well enough then face-to-face meetings are found more appropriate than video-conferences for healthcare planning. The case study may be seen as a ‘critical case’ for the use of videoconferences with elderly people. The MOA-E model has contributed to a comprehensive understanding of the case study.

MOA-S: A Scenario Model for Integrating Work Organization Aspects into the Design Process of CSCW Systems

Scenarios using the MOA-S model are proposed as a method for discussion and design of the future work organization of CSCW systems. CSCW technology has the potential to enable design of the organization with more flexible communication patterns than previously available. However, we still lack methods for the design process of CSCW systems. A case study is presented of the development and test of a prototype in Lotus Notes for dealing with social insurance matters within the Swedish Social Insurance Board. The results of the case study are structured in accordance with the MOA-S model. The MOA-S model could then be used as a design tool in order to initiate and support a dialogue about the remaining design of the work organization in the CSCW system.

Competence Development of E-Government : A Study Circle Approach

Implementation of e-Government means cultural changes involving changes of attitudes and competences, apart from technological changes. There is a need for competence development of employees and c ...

E-learning at Work: towards a participative approach

A case study focusing on learning outcomes from a web-based course and integration of new knowledge into work practices at the County Administration of Sweden is analysed. The study has a process-orientated longitudinal character combining different methodological approaches. The current work situation of the workers was studied using interviews. A questionnaire was distributed to the first hundred learners after they had passed the course. Telephone interviews were then made a month after the course. The respondents were more positive with respect to the usefulness of the course for their work immediately after completing the course, compared with their interview responses a month later. When they answered the questionnaire they also thought it was easier to get time for the course, than they indicated later in the telephone interviews. Likely reasons for this discrepancy are considered. The study shows the risk of obtaining inflated positive judgements of a course when the evaluation is made immediately following course completion. Instead, a process-oriented evaluation is recommended, evaluating both the work situation before the course, the comprehension of the course immediately after the course has been passed, and evaluation a month after the course has been passed. Although a majority of the learners had an overall positive judgement of the course, about half of them had not applied the new knowledge to their work, a month after the course. A participative approach with discussions in local work groups before and after the course, supported by local management, is proposed in order to facilitate integration of knowledge from the course into the work practices.

Networking and e-Government for local development Experiences gained by entrepreneurs in small enterprises in Sweden

This paper aims to analyse experiences gained by entrepreneurs in small enterprises located in a region undergoing structural change, focusing on networking and e-government for local development. The study is a further development of a study that focused on how municipalities supported entrepreneurship and destination development. In-depth qualitative interviews were made with twelve entrepreneurs from ten small enterprises. Based on a theoretical discussion of networking, e-government and social media marketing, the results indicate that networks and strategic networking were important in order to develop their enterprises, which also contributed to local development. The importance of initial face-to-face contacts in order to build business relationships in networks was stressed. The use of local e-government was hitherto limited to e-services for public procurement, the use of social media marketing was limited due to lack of time, competence and motivation for most of the entrepreneurs.