Modeling Structured Non-monolithic Collaboration Processes

Abstract

Existing systems supporting collaboration processes typically implement a single, fixed collaboration protocol, and collaboration process takes place inside a single group. In this paper, we present a model which provides support for multiple collaboration protocols for non-monolithic collaboration processes, i.e. collaboration processes in which collaboration is spread among many groups. In the presented model, collaboration protocols include communicative, “acting”, and social aspects of collaboration processes, and the introduction of group actions provides support for group dynamics. Conditions that collaboration protocols have to fulfill to be valid are also presented.