Characterizing Interactive Web Applications - Findings from an Interdisciplinary Research Project Kristian Billeskov Boving Film and Media Studies University of Copenhagen Njalsgade 80 DK-2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark +4535328103 boeving@hum.ku.dk Hanne Westh Nicolajsen Center for Tele-Information Technical University of Denmark Building 371 ABSTRACT DK-2800 Lyngby, Denmark +454587 1577 westh@cti.dtu.dk In the following work-in-progress paper we discuss a research project investigating the design and use of Interactive Web Applications (lWAs). Based on existing literature and empir- ical studies of use practices, we have shaped a typology for categorizing typical characteristics ofIWAs. The paper draws primarily on preliminary findings regarding IWA use in a Danish bank. The main aim of the paper is to establish a toolkit for interdisciplinary studies and comparisons of use and design of various IWAs. Keywords Interactive Web Applications, categorization, interdiscipli- nary research, interactivity, intranets. INTRODUCTION This work-in-progress paper presents reflections upon an interdisciplinary research via the DIWA-program, an acro- nym for Design and use of Interactive Web Applications. The program runs for four years (1999-2003), is supported by the Danish Research Council, and consists of 17 senior and junior researchers from four Danish Universities: The Tech- nical University of Denmark, The University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University and The IT-University of Copenhagen. The main theme of the research program is to investigate how design, management and use ofInteractive Web Applications In PDC 2000 Proceedings of the Participatory Design Conference. T. Cherkasky, J. Greenbaum, P. Mambrey, 1. K. Pors (Eds.) New York, NY, USA, 28 November - I December 2000. CPSR, P.O. Box 717, Palo Alto, CA 94302 cpsr@cpsr.orgISBN 0- 9667818- 1- 3 246 Sisse Finken, Dixi Henriksen, Jens K. Pors Computer Science Roskilde University Building 42.1 P.O. Box 260 DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark +45 4674 3839 [finken, dixi, pors]@ruc.dk Lasse Vogelsang IT University of Copenhagen Glentevej 67-69 DK-2400 Copenhagen NW, Denmark +4538168849 vogelsang@it-c.dk - intra- or extranets - in different work settings may change the practice of information system development. A central purpose of the DIWA-program is to develop implementation models, best practice guidelines and conceptual frameworks, which may support the design and management ofIWAs. The research is constituted by a wide range of theoretical frame- works and in depth empirical studies in a number of Danish private and public organizations - use as well as development organizations. Based on the overall theme, the DIWA-program has four objectives: "I. To examine how the scope, content, and organization of IS development processes change when information services become ubiquitous and software development coalesce with media design; 2. To analyze the implications for the division of labor, skills, and knowledge in IS development; 3. To identify key organizational and technical factors that facilitate or impede successful implementation of interactive WIS; and 4. To develop concepts, methods and tools to guide both the development of interactive WIS and the development of new, distributed and networked, organizational forms." [5]. In order to conduct interdisciplinary research and achieve the objectives above it is necessary to establish common grounds for discussion and comparison of research findings. The DIWA research project encompasses computer scientists, media researchers, economists, sociologists, ethnographers, and psychologists who contribute with different perspectives