The Myth of the Paperless Office (Paperback)

by Abigail J. Sellen (Author), Richard H. R. Harper (Author) "As we write this book, we have paper all around us..." (more)
Key Phrases: United States, Paper Reader, Answer Form (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"If you wish to read anything at all on office management, read this book."
— Guardian UK

"The authors approach their subject with academic rigour, observing real organisations to find out how people like to work."
— Financial Times

"The case for paper is made most eloquently in The Myth of the Paperless Office...."
— Malcolm Gladwell, The New Yorker

Product Description
Over the past thirty years, many people have proclaimed the imminent arrival of the paperless office. Yet even the World Wide Web, which allows almost any computer to read and display another computer’s documents, has increased the amount of printing done. The use of e-mail in an organization causes an average 40 percent increase in paper consumption. In The Myth of the Paperless Office, Abigail Sellen and Richard Harper use the study of paper as a way to understand the work that people do and the reasons they do it the way they do. Using the tools of ethnography and cognitive psychology, they look at paper use from the level of the individual up to that of organizational culture. Central to Sellen and Harper’s investigation is the concept of "affordances"--the activities that an object allows, or affords. The physical properties of paper (its being thin, light, porous, opaque, and flexible) afford the human actions of grasping, carrying, folding, writing, and so on. The concept of affordance allows them to compare the affordances of paper with those of existing digital devices. They can then ask what kinds of devices or systems would make new kinds of activities possible or better support current activities. The authors argue that paper will continue to play an important role in office life. Rather than pursue the ideal of the paperless office, we should work toward a future in which paper and electronic document tools work in concert and organizational processes make optimal use of both.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 245 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (April 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 026269283X
• ISBN-13: 978-0262692830
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #661,283 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars In praise of paper?, March 12, 2004

By	Harald Groven "Harald Groven" (Tromsø, Norway) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There are copious amounts of research on how people interact with computers or machines. However, there is very little research on all the hidden features of paper. "The Myth of the Paperless Office" brings attention to how office workers actually organize their information needs. In many ways, it's probably a pioneering work in computer usability, even though it doesn't specifically deal with computers, but rather anthropological research on the use of paper in organisations.

This book can be very useful for anyone. Especially for designers of computer systems that wonder why people still stick to yellow labels and printouts, even its technically "inefficient", compared to a digital solution. Its also recommended reading for bosses that plan to implement a "clean desk policy", or employees that are wondering how to get around clutter on their desks.

For an excellent review of the book, read the article "In praise of clutter" from The Economist Magazine (Dec 19th 2002)

15 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What the UK media say, December 3, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Myth of the Paperless Office (Hardcover)

New Scientist, 10 November, 2001
This is a book that all managers should read...It explodes the paperless myth, and highlights the strengths and weakenesses of electronic paper-based systems.

The Guardian, 26 November, 2001
If you wish to read anything at all on office management, read this book

0 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Service, June 13, 2007

By	Gayle L. Blayney (Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I received the "The Myth of the Paperless Office" book within a few days of ordering it. It was in perfect condition just as it was stated on the promo.