Emerging Norms: Feature Constellations Based on Activity Patterns and Incentive Differences

Applications that are widely used in organizations have at least three different patterns of use: one for individual contributors, one for managers, and one for executives, so the best approach could be to treat each one as three distinct applications.

Abstract

“Like most phenomena–atoms, ants, and stars–characteristics of organizations appear to fall into natural clusters, or configurations. ” – Henry Mintzberg, A Typology of Organizational Structure Applications that are widely used in organizations have at least three different patterns of use: one for individual contributors, one for managers, and one for executives. Behavior with in each group is shaped by its activity and incentive structures. When designing, acquiring, or supporting such applications, the best approach could be to treat each one as three distinct applications. Failure to do so results in problems and lost opportunities. Applications discussed include email, shared calendars, browsers, document databases, application-sharing, desktop videoconferencing, and team workspaces.