Title
Complex Collaborative Problem-Solving Processes in Mission Control
Abbreviated Journal Title
Aviat. Space Environ. Med.
Keywords
collaborative problem solving; distributed teams; macrocognition in; teams; mission control; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Medicine, General &; Internal; Sport Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: NASA's Mission Control Center (MCC) is responsible for control of the International Space Station (ISS), which includes responding in problems that obstruct the functioning of the ISS and that may pose a threat to the health and well-being of the flight crew. These problems are often complex, requiring individuals, teams, and multiteam systems, to work collaboratively. Research is warranted to examine individual and collaborative problem-solving processes in this context. Specifically, focus is placed on how Mission Control personnel each with their own skills and responsibilities exchange information to gain a shared understanding of the problem. The Macrocognition in Teams Model describes the processes that individuals and teams undertake in order to solve problems and may be applicable to Mission Control teams. Method: Semistructured interviews centering on a recent complex problem were conducted with seven MCC professionals. In order to assess collaborative problem-solving processes in MCC with those predicted by the Macrocognition in Teams Model, a coding scheme was developed to analyze the interview transcriptions. Results: Findings are supported with excerpts from participant transcriptions and suggest that team knowledge-building processes accounted for approximately 50% of all coded data and are essential for successful collaborative problem solving in mission control. Support for the internalized and externalized team knowledge was also found (19% and 20%, respectively). Discussion: The Macrocognition in Teams Model was shown to be a useful depiction of collaborative problem solving in mission control and further research with this as a guiding framework is warranted.
Journal Title
Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine
Volume
85
Issue/Number
4
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
456
Last Page
461
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0095-6562
Recommended Citation
"Complex Collaborative Problem-Solving Processes in Mission Control" (2014). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 5322.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/5322
Comments
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