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IRVINE -- Can the same technologies you use to play hard also help you work hard? UC Irvine has received a $3 million grant from the National Science Foundation to study how emerging forms of communication, including multiplayer computer games and online virtual worlds such as "World of Warcraft" and "Second Life" can help organizations collaborate and compete more effectively in the global marketplace.

"Many technologies have come out of computer-based games, and their concepts appear to have real potential," said Richard N. Taylor, director of UCI's Institute for Software Research, which is conducting the three-year study. "This grant will determine how emerging technologies can be used or modified to support serious group work."

Virtual world environments and other technology-enabled forms of communication are gaining popularity as organizations worldwide are decentralizing. To grow and promote efficiency, companies need to develop long-distance, collaborative communication methods. The researchers plan to help in that arena, using innovations such as large-scale multiplayer online games, social networking, and file and media sharing.

Approaches could include plugging real-world engineering specifications into virtual worlds like "Second Life" to develop and test personal rapid transit systems.

To gain real-world perspective, UCI researchers are collaborating with five organizations from aerospace, telecommunications, transportation and electronics industries as well as the Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. The companies already are experimenting with the technologies in group planning, decision-making and training.

"Advanced information and communication technologies can lead to breakthroughs in productivity and boost morale, but they can also be problematic and unsuccessful, leading to wasted investments," said Walt Scacchi, senior research scientist and project leader. "One goal of this research is to understand the conditions that lead to failure or success."

In addition to Taylor and Scacchi, the NSF grant was awarded Alfred Kobsa, Cristina V. Lopes, Gloria Mark, Bonnie Nardi and David Redmiles.

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