The concept of a collaborative human-computer interchange was proposed almost thirty years ago. The goal of this paradigm is to design human-computer decision-making systems that think and process information at a level exceeding that of either the human or the computer alone. Technological and conceptual developments have made this holistic partnership increasingly possible. Moreover, recent discussions of human-computer collaborative work have highlighted the system performance advantages of this interchange. In this paper, the notion of human-computer interchange protocols is developed and the importance of these protocols to human-computer collaboration and system performance is argued. Based on data collected in a laboratory setting, empirical support for the proposed holistic effect of human-computer interchange protocols on system performance is provided. Decision performance is significantly improved by interchange protocols that encourage human-computer interaction during the problem-solving process.
This article describes the design, implementation, and post-implementation evaluation of the corporate data transport system used at Wisconsin Bell, Inc. to aid distributed, inter-department decision making. Elements of the system's architecture include a user-friendly executive support system, enhanced professional/managerial workstation environments, and a common presentation system that integrates multiple heterogeneous systems, thus creating "virtual homogeneity" of information presentation throughout the organization. The system has been developed to connect geographically dispersed executives and professionals from different functional areas, regardless of hardware, software, and data configurations The intent of the system is to allow its users to share information and work together as a single operating entity and integrated planning unit. Key success factors leading to the system's use over a three-year period are explored, along with unanticipated limiting factors.