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SUMMARY:Unpacking a Timesheet: Formalisation and Representation - Robin Bo
 ast and Alan Blackwell
DTSTART:20080306T110000Z
DTEND:20080306T123000Z
UID:TALK11001@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Alan Blackwell
DESCRIPTION:We will be discussing: Barry Brown (2001). Unpacking a Timeshe
 et: Formalisation and Representation. Computer Supported Cooperative Work 
 10\, 293-315.\n\nAvailable online (from University network) at:\nhttp://ww
 w.springerlink.com/content/th276131064jr514/fulltext.pdf\nLet me know if y
 ou cannot access this\, and I'll get a copy for you.\n\nOriginal Abstract:
  While the use of formal systems has been an important topic within CSCW\,
  their use as representations has been relatively neglected. This paper\, 
 using ethnographic data from a British oil company\, investigates how repr
 esentations are used. In the company studied an electronic timesheet syste
 m was implemented to be used by staff to account for their work. Looking a
 t this system in use provides insights on what changes when processes are 
 computerised. In particular\, the computerised system used inflexible comp
 uterised rules to enforce a division of labour between the accountants who
  ran the system\, and those who filled in their timesheets. However\, this
  rigidity was not a purely negative feature\; it helped the accountants wh
 o ran the system to do "representational work"\, and establish the accurac
 y of the timesheet system. Looking into the politics of this system in use
  illustrates the danger of generalising the relationship between formalisa
 tion and power.\n\nRubric for the reading group: Everyone attending is exp
 ected to read the paper in advance. Please bring a copy with you\, prefera
 bly annotated with interesting reflections. The format of discussion will 
 be a brief invited introduction/critique by two members of the group\, fol
 lowed by general discussion and informal\nmixing.
LOCATION:Seminar Room FW11\, Computer Laboratory
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