Kari Kuutti | University of Oulu (original) (raw)

Papers by Kari Kuutti

In this paper we adopt a practice lens to investigate discretionary use of publicly available urb... more In this paper we adopt a practice lens to investigate discretionary use of publicly available urban ubiquitous technology. We examine what happens when fifteen public interactive multipurpose displays are installed in different locations around a city for the free use of citizens. In city of Oulu, Finland, this technology attracted very little use in all but one location. We conducted a field study at this single " successful " location. There we identified four distinct technology-facilitated emergent practices. The practice lens enabled us to study the public displays not merely as technological entities, but as complex sociotechnical ensembles with cultural, spatial, temporal, social, material, and historical dimensions. This study addressed quite a novel context, technology and user group as regards Information Systems (IS) research. The study contributes to IS literature by pushing the study of discretionary use of technology far from organizational context to technological infrastructures available for citizens in urban settings. The study also offers novel empirical insights for practice oriented IS research. Especially the findings related to children and discretionary technology use are novel in this respect. The practice lens and our findings on the material and bodily aspects are also interesting for the discussions on sociomateriality in IS research.

set of slides from a talk back in 2007, unfortunately this never evolved into a proper paper

The paper reflects the position of CSCW research against the ʻpractice turnʼ and ʻpractice theory... more The paper reflects the position of CSCW research against the ʻpractice turnʼ and ʻpractice theoryʼ discussion in social sciences. The practice approach is an attempt to find an intermediate unit of social analysis between individuals and institutions. The ʻpractice turnʼ has influenced IS, HCI and CSCW research, in particular European CSCW is very practice-oriented and the paper suggests that this orientation might serve an anchor for the identity of CSCW research. CSCW and PD research might also be able help the practice theory discussion with specific contributions on artifacts and change.

The paper discusses about the nature of a possible theory or theories for design research. This f... more The paper discusses about the nature of a possible theory or theories for design research. This far most theory suggestions have assumed the timeless, general and abstract natural science model of theory. The paper argues that because the subject matter of design is of a historical nature, a timeless theory is incapable to grasp the essentials of the field, and suggests that the powerful formulation of "design science" by Herbert Simon may have hindered the search of historically sensitive alternatives. The paper suggests that the culturalhistorical activity theory might offer a starting point for the construction of a historically and dynamically oriented alternative.

These proceedings contain a collection of papers that encompass activities in the field. These in... more These proceedings contain a collection of papers that encompass activities in the field. These include papers addressing new interaction technologies for CSCW systems, new models and architectures for groupware systems, studies of communication and coordination among mobile actors, studies of groupware systems in use in real-world settings, and theories and techniques to support the development of cooperative applications.

The concept of usability is directly connected with the concept of user. This has, however, meant... more The concept of usability is directly connected with the concept of user. This has, however, meant very different things in different times. The paper traces the changes in the conception what the user is and what is user's role in system development through the last 25 years in the areas of information systems design, human-computer interaction and computer-supported cooperative work.

Abstract The paper discusses about the attempts to clarify and define the concept of User Experie... more Abstract The paper discusses about the attempts to clarify and define the concept of User Experience, using the difference between Babylonians and Ionians to astronomy as a parable. According to paper, the effort in UX research may be too heavily directed towards immediate practical usefulness, and suggests that there is a need for a complementary conceptual-theoretical discussion.

It would be rather natural to think that human-computer interaction and design (industrial design... more It would be rather natural to think that human-computer interaction and design (industrial design, graphic design) would have as professions and as disciplines easily form an alliance. After all, there is so much HCI design as a newcomer could have learnt from long-established design professions, and on the other hand the penetration of information technology in everyday life has greatly increased the public awareness and prestige of good design.

One of the focus areas in the research on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) has been the... more One of the focus areas in the research on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) has been the support for distributed meetings. The range of technological sophistication of support systems has varied from simple desktop conferences with" talking heads" to full immersion virtual reality meetings (Greenhalgh & Benford 1995).

Abstract A new product concept emerges in communication between participants in a design process.... more Abstract A new product concept emerges in communication between participants in a design process. In order to succeed in a geographically distributed situation, a computer support system must be able to mediate this kind of communication in product concept design. We will elaborate on concept design, focusing on how designers communicate using artifacts and space to mediate their understandings. During design sessions artifacts are used for argumentation and gestures are used to act out how the suggested features work.

Abstract This workshop will address the approaches, challenges, benefits and aspects of interacti... more Abstract This workshop will address the approaches, challenges, benefits and aspects of interaction within urban mixed reality environments. It will seek to draw upon existing research into place, presence and situated interaction while exploring areas of art, flow, ambience, urban design, performance and technology. In doing so, it will bridge the divide between art and science which exists in the growing research area of urban mixed realities.

Abstract Development of new advanced mobile ubiquitous multimedia services presents number of cha... more Abstract Development of new advanced mobile ubiquitous multimedia services presents number of challenges which needs to be addressed in service platform design. We have been developing our Locawe platform for this goal in several research projects using systematic develop-evaluate design cycle as a research approach. During the development we have build an adaptive architecture, which we have learned to be a key requirement for a usable and sustainable service platform.

Abstract In this paper, a new Web mapping technology founded on the Web 2.0 concept is studied. A... more Abstract In this paper, a new Web mapping technology founded on the Web 2.0 concept is studied. An application was developed for the experiment to help the acquisition of local knowledge for the planning organization and to facilitate the discussion among citizens. In addition to the data provided by the application, the experiment was investigated by monitoring the traffic on the Web site of the experiment, a Web questionnaire and also by in situ observations.

Abstract Participatory planning is a new paradigm in urban and community planning and a part of t... more Abstract Participatory planning is a new paradigm in urban and community planning and a part of the future of the participation is on the Web. In this paper, new Web-based participation methods, along with their possibilities and challenges are studied. An urban planning experiment was carried out in the autumn 2007 in Pyhäjärvi, Finland. A Web mapping application was developed for the experiment to help the planners to acquire local knowledge from the citizens.

Abstract Despite a decades long efforts no integrating theoretical framework for design research ... more Abstract Despite a decades long efforts no integrating theoretical framework for design research has appeared, and a need for such one still exist. The paper suggests, that it might be beneficial to start by delineating the object of research, because for example distinction between disciplines are based on the difference of their objects. The paper suggests, that the cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) might offer a good starting point, and makes an initial effort to define the object of design based on it.

Abstract: The paper presents that it would be useful for Design Research to be able to discuss ab... more Abstract: The paper presents that it would be useful for Design Research to be able to discuss about artifacts at a more general and abstract level than the concrete artifacts themselves and suggests that the concepts of mediation and re-mediation might serve such purpose. Based on Krippendorff it is suggested that any artifact carries at least three mediated relationships at the same time, and this is illustrated with an example.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the stakeholder interaction d... more Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a new approach for the stakeholder interaction during the early phases of a new software product development–the MAPID model. It is a result of both conceptual analysis and empirical research with one international software company. The dominating approaches to product development are based on the assumption, that the customer needs for a new product are known or at least they are identified before the launch.

ABSTRACT: The paper discusses the need to develop design research as a discipline. By using Gibbo... more ABSTRACT: The paper discusses the need to develop design research as a discipline. By using Gibbons et al's distinction between the traditional disciplinary type of Mode 1 knowledge production and the emerging type of Mode 2 knowledge production that takes place in the context of application, it shows that design has unique characteristics that should not be given up when seeking academic acceptance.

After the design and development of the teleradiology system, a work practice oriented approach w... more After the design and development of the teleradiology system, a work practice oriented approach was used to gain a more holistic understanding of the relationship between the emerging work practice and the newly implemented technology, and to provide information for redesigning the system. The approach which utilized ethnographically informed fieldwork and cooperative workshops was introduced.

set of slides from a talk back in 2007, unfortunately this never evolved into a proper paper