Solving the Human Problem: Investigation of a Collaboration Culture

It is often acknowledged that group work efficiency can only be achieved if co-workers adopt an adequate group culture. Collaboration should therefore be supported by the right culture, and tools aiming at enhancing collaboration should also facilitate the adoption of this collaboration culture. This paper therefore explores the underlying concepts involved in the creation of a collaboration culture within a team. It follows a formal approach by drawing on motivation, group building and schema theories to identify the core elements of such a culture. This focus on the social psychological enables the justification that collaboration efficiency can only be reached if groups adopt a learning, communicative culture, and develop values such as trust and respect. The conclusion of this paper could be used to assess the efficiency of collaborative tools and to enable the teaching of collaboration.