Activity Modalities - A Multi-dimensional Perspective on Coordination, Business Processes and Communication

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and reconstruct espoused conceptions of coordination, business processes and communication using the Activity Domain Theory as a guiding framework. The point of departure is shared or communal meaning. Meaning is seen as the link between the individual mind and the social reality in which the individual is immersed. The construction of communal meaning and social reality takes place in activity domains and proceeds along certain dimensions called activity modalities. Coordination is seen as an activity within the activity domain, which provides coordination of transformational activities in the same domain. Business processes are apprehended as manifestations the activity modality temporalisation. Communication has two principle functions: enabling communal meaning and coordinating transformational activities. From these results, we argue that the Activity Domain Theory provides a socio-technical integrative perspective on coordination, business processes and communication that can be applied both analytically and constructively.