Remote Cooperation:
CSCW Issues for Mobile and Tele-Workers
Alan Dix and Russell Beale (eds.)

Technology has drastically changed how people do their jobs, and one of the major advancements has been increased connectivity: much of what could once only be done in the office can now be done from anywhere at any time. While technological capabilities have made mobile work possible, the interest in utilizing technology in the virtual office has been fuelled by economic, environmental, and social trends. Working in the virtual office has significant advantages, such as greater flexibility in work location and hours and the ability to work with colleagues and clients who are not co-located. In many instances, people are forced to find innovative ways to accomplish their joint work and develop different types of relationships than they would when in adjoining offices. There are disadvantages when the boundaries between one's personal and work time become hopelessly blurred and when significant time and effort is spent trying to utilize technological capabilities instead of doing work. Existing technology is not necessarily easy to use nor does it always aid in accomplishing what is simple to do in a centralized office environment.