TY - JOUR
T1 - Intra- and Inter-Cultural Usability in Computer-Supported Collaboration
AU - Vatrapu, Ravi
AU - Suthers, Dan
PY - 2010/8
Y1 - 2010/8
N2 - In this paper, we argue for an increased scope of universal design to encompass usability and accessibility for not only users with physical disabilities but also for users from different cultures. Towards this end, we present an empirical evaluation of cultural usability in computer-supported collaboration. The premise of this research is that perception and appropriation of socio-technical affordances vary across cultures. In an experimental study with a computer-supported collaborative learning environment, pairs of participants from similar and different cultures (American-American, American-Chinese, and Chinese-Chinese) appropriated affordances and produced technological intersubjectivity. Cultural usability was analyzed through the use of performance and satisfaction measures. The results show a systemic variation in efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction between the two cultural groups. Implications of these findings for the research and practice of usability, in general, and cultural usability, in particular, are discussed in this paper.
AB - In this paper, we argue for an increased scope of universal design to encompass usability and accessibility for not only users with physical disabilities but also for users from different cultures. Towards this end, we present an empirical evaluation of cultural usability in computer-supported collaboration. The premise of this research is that perception and appropriation of socio-technical affordances vary across cultures. In an experimental study with a computer-supported collaborative learning environment, pairs of participants from similar and different cultures (American-American, American-Chinese, and Chinese-Chinese) appropriated affordances and produced technological intersubjectivity. Cultural usability was analyzed through the use of performance and satisfaction measures. The results show a systemic variation in efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction between the two cultural groups. Implications of these findings for the research and practice of usability, in general, and cultural usability, in particular, are discussed in this paper.
KW - Affordances
KW - Technological Intersubjectivity
KW - Computer Supported Collaborative Learning
KW - Computer Supported Intercultural Collaboration
KW - Culture
KW - Cultural Usability
KW - Comparative Informatics
KW - Apperception/Perception/Appropriation of Affordances
M3 - Journal article
SN - 1931-3357
VL - 5
SP - 172
EP - 197
JO - Journal of Usability Studies
JF - Journal of Usability Studies
IS - 4
ER -