| Effect of External Memory Tools on Task Performance in a Future Command and Control Environment: A Virtual Experiment using Construct (2008) | |||||||||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||||||||
| In this paper we examine the possible benefits of increasing efficiency of external memory systems on two organizational communication structures, a legacy communication structure and a proposed future communication structure, for a logistical command and control military staff. External memory aids are a popular area of study in the field of HCI and CSCW (Norman, 1993). We first compared the organizational structures using a number of metrics from social-network and organizational modeling theory. We then conducted a virtual experiment using the Construct multi-agent organizational model to test the effect of increasingly effective external memory support on the performance of the organization in the binary-choice task. Our results show that a legacy force design obtained significantly greater performance gains from external memory aids. Essentially, the future force organizational design was more resilient under memory loss conditions. Importantly, we found that a legacy force design is more technology-dependent to produce the same performance as the proposed future force nodal structure. This is counter to the vast majority of predictions for the stafftechnology relationship of the future force. | |||||||||||||||
Publication details | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||