Network-centric characteristics in organisations: the application of gaming
RIS ID
22191
Abstract
Organisations matter. They provide a complex framework that shapes the experience, awareness and developing capabilities of the people who work in them. When the climate in which they operate changes they must strategically adapt and, when organisations change, the people within them also need to change. Increasingly, organisations are adopting network-centric configurations in which workers leverage information and make operational decisions through the collaborative efforts of small, agile and self directed teams. These forms of network-centric interaction are often difficult for those staff with less civil experience of network-based cooperation and a dependence on institutional forms of hierarchical authority. On-line multiplayer gaming is emerging as a popular experience particularly for young people in the civil society. The online game developed by our research team simulates a network-centric environment, with appropriate constructs and protocols, can be constructively employed in sessions to provide valuable research and learning opportunities. This whole socio-technical system as described in this paper has broad applications for business, government and community organisations. We discuss its benefits and its potential for applications in practice, training and profiling, and both applied and theoretical research. This system is now at a turning point to bring these to fruition.
Publication Details
Hasan, H. M. & Crawford, K. (2007). Network-centric characteristics in organisations: the application of gaming. UK Academy for Information Systems Conference (p. 14). Manchester, UK: Manchester University.