1. ¹SAP Research Center CEC Karlsruhe, SAP AG, Karlsruhe, Germany
2. ²Knowledge Media Research Center, Tuebingen, Germany
3. ³Department of Applied Cognitive Psychology and Media Psychology, Psychological Institute, University of Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany

Correspondence: Uwe V. Riss, SAP Research Center CEC Karlsruhe, SAP AG, Vincenz-Priessnitz-Str. 1, Karlsruhe D-76131, Germany. Tel: +49 721 6902 0; E-mail: uwe.riss@sap.com

Received 27 July 2006; Accepted 4 September 2007.

Abstract

This paper considers two paradigms of process-aware information systems (PAIS) that are used to share knowledge about planning and executing tasks. The case-based task management (CBTM) system is based on the transduction of execution protocols, so-called cases; and the pattern-based task management (PBTM) system is based on task patterns that are derived from cases but yield more abstract information. As user motivation to contribute to a collaborative task management system is a crucial factor for its success, we consider the different motivational requirements of CBTM and PBTM from a psychological point of view. Based on experimental findings about different factors that have been shown to enhance people's motivation to contribute their knowledge to a shared pool, we compare the two approaches and assess which one is more appropriate with respect to motivation.