ProViWo research update: the transcript

Earlier this week we posted our latest podcast with Dr. Petra Bosch, a professor at Aalto University who is studying the use of professional virtual worlds with her colleague, Dr. Anu Sivunen. The first phase of their research project, "ProViWo," is now complete, and we learned about what they studied and their findings. If you'd rather read through our interview, here's the complete transcript, proofed for clarity.

Virtual worlds' challenges and benefits found in ProViWo phase one research

Back in March, we interviewed Dr. Petra Bosch-Sijtsema about her new research project, which is studying how virtual worlds can be used for professional collaboration, and whether virtual worlds can enhance productivity in globally distributed teams. It's aptly dubbed Professional Collaboration and Productivity in Virtual Worlds (ProViWo).

At the time, Dr. Bosch and her colleague, Dr. Anu Sivunen, were in the midst of the initial phase of their research, looking at how companies in the U.S., Asia, and Europe were using virtual worlds for business.

That phase is now complete. All told, they interviewed 44 professionals at companies using virtual worlds, including those in the high-tech, energy, pharmaceutical, and medical industries. They focused their interviews on the challenges and benefits of virtual worlds adoption, and unearthed some interesting discoveries which Dr. Bosch was kind enough to share with us in a podcast.

Hit play below to catch our most recent interview with Dr. Bosch, where we learn about how her first research phase went, what she and Dr. Sivunen found, and what's next for the project.



They're working on publishing their initial findings in research journals, and we'll let you know when that becomes available. We'll be continuing to follow their progress, so keep your eyes on our blog for the latest on ProViWo.

Dr. Petra Bosch on her ProViWo research project, in her own words

Last week we posted our podcast interview with Dr. Petra Bosch about her latest research project, Professional Collaboration and Productivity in Virtual Worlds (ProViWo). If you're at work right now and unable to pipe sound from your speakers, or if you would rather read through the interview, you're in luck. We've had it transcribed. The transcript includes the complete interview between Dr. Bosch and our blogger Janelle, proofed for clarity.

ProViWo research project: How virtual worlds can be used for professional collaboration

Dr. Petra Bosch

Virtual worlds might traverse the globe, but I've found that they can still fit under a microscope. A virtual microscope, if you will. (What else would you expect anyway? ;-))

Dr. Petra Bosch-Sijtsema and her colleague, Dr. Anu Sivunen, are leading a new research project that studies how virtual worlds can be used for professional collaboration, and if virtual worlds can enhance productivity in globally distributed teams.

They've dubbed their project Professional Collaboration and Productivity in Virtual Worlds (ProViWo). Janelle talked to Dr. Bosch recently about it, and we wanted to share their conversation with you in a podcast.



The project is based out of Aalto University in Finland, where Dr. Bosch and Sivunen are researchers, and is being conducted in close corporation with Stanford University here in the U.S.

Dr. Anu Sivunen

Drs. Bosch and Sivunen began their study in fall 2009, so they're still in their initial research phase. Right now they're interviewing a spectrum of companies that are using virtual worlds.

Eventually, they'll explore managerial and user perspectives on virtual worlds at work, and the various collaboration and productivity possibilities. They aim to complete their project in 2012.

If you're interested in exploring virtual worlds for your company, if you've already deployed one, or if you just want to keep up with the latest industry research developments, I'd encourage you to take a listen to Janelle and Dr. Bosch's podcast.

We hope to follow Drs. Bosch and Sivunen throughout their project, so watch the blog for an update on their progress.