Collaboration in the Workplace
Advantages and Disadvantages of Collaboration in the Workplace
In this global economy in which organizations are driven by technology, processes and the need to share information, collaboration is important. Rosen (2007) defines collaboration as "working together to create value while sharing virtual or physical space" (p. 9). Collaboration has become a standard in today’s organizations. Teams are working together virtually or face-to-face on projects or on problem solving. Sharing experiences between corporate team’s speeds up the problem solving process, which is a direct benefit for the company as client issues can be solved faster. An important aspect of collaboration is the tools used to facilitate the process. David Bicknell writes in the Computer Weekly magazine “Collaborative tools can give that business advantage, unlock organization-wide and global intellect, and use that to foster the joined up thinking that will drive innovation" (Bicknell, 2009). The two main types of collaboration that can happen in the workplace are synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. When two or more people work together on a project at same time using tools like instant messaging, web conferencing and white boarding, it is considered synchronous collaboration. When they do so at different times using forums and message boards that is considered asynchronous collaboration (“Collaboration,” 2009). Effective collaboration can result in many benefits for the individuals or organizations involved. But for that to happen, the collaborating team has to have a common objective or goal and be made up of people with the right skill sets. They also need the resources, and an adequate environment or forum to collaborate in. Collaborating partners must be willing to engage in constructive confrontation, set up and abide by some ground rules and have a facilitator. However, as explained later in this paper, there are also some disadvantages that can result from
In this global economy in which organizations are driven by technology, processes and the need to share information, collaboration is important. Rosen (2007) defines collaboration as "working together to create value while sharing virtual or physical space" (p. 9). Collaboration has become a standard in today’s organizations. Teams are working together virtually or face-to-face on projects or on problem solving. Sharing experiences between corporate team’s speeds up the problem solving process, which is a direct benefit for the company as client issues can be solved faster. An important aspect of collaboration is the tools used to facilitate the process. David Bicknell writes in the Computer Weekly magazine “Collaborative tools can give that business advantage, unlock organization-wide and global intellect, and use that to foster the joined up thinking that will drive innovation" (Bicknell, 2009). The two main types of collaboration that can happen in the workplace are synchronous and asynchronous collaboration. When two or more people work together on a project at same time using tools like instant messaging, web conferencing and white boarding, it is considered synchronous collaboration. When they do so at different times using forums and message boards that is considered asynchronous collaboration (“Collaboration,” 2009). Effective collaboration can result in many benefits for the individuals or organizations involved. But for that to happen, the collaborating team has to have a common objective or goal and be made up of people with the right skill sets. They also need the resources, and an adequate environment or forum to collaborate in. Collaborating partners must be willing to engage in constructive confrontation, set up and abide by some ground rules and have a facilitator. However, as explained later in this paper, there are also some disadvantages that can result from
References: Bicknell, D. (2009). Collaboration drives innovation. Computer Weekly, 14. Retrieved from MasterFILE Premier database. Collaboration. (2009). Technology Reports, 45(4), 7-9. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=tfh&AN=43280592&site=ehost-live Freedman, D. (2006). Collaboration is the hottest buzzword in business today. Too bad it doesn 't work. Inc., 28(9), 61-62. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=f5h&AN=22234454&site=ehost-live IBM, (2008) The new collaboration: enabling innovation, changing the workplace Retrieved from: http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/cio/pdf/new-collaboration-white-paper.pdf Ivythesis. (2007). Thinking made easy: advantage and disadvantage of collaboration in the workplace. Retrieved from http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2009/04/advantage-and-disadvantage-of-collaboration-in-the-workplace.html Mindjet. (2009). 10 Values of collaborative mind mapping. Retrieved from http://blog.mindjet.com/2009/09/the-true-value-of-collaborative-mind-mapping Parker, G. (2007). Team Players and Teamwork:New Strategies for Developing Successful Collaboration (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Rosen, E. (2007). The Culture of Collaboration . San Francisco, CA: Red Ape Publishing.