Although we are already familiar with using Intranet and the Internet, the notion of collaborative work appears to be something new for many people. Its principles and advantages are still relatively unclear, although, in reality, collaborative work is at the centre of progress in terms of intra/extranet networks and sharing and synchronisation tools. It is because of collaborative work that we are undergoing a revolution in human relationships and in our environment.

For a long time, geographic remoteness was a major challenge for the development of our societies, because distance was synonymous with loss of time and money. The accidental discovery of America was a consequence of the search for a shorter route to the Orient. But, it was an accident which completely changed our vision of the world.

In today’s world, the era of globalisation, companies are asking themselves the same question: how can we bring our staff closer to each other in order to save time and increase productivity? Better interaction implies more rapid reaction and, thus, an increase in productivity.

The arrival of NICT has contributed new solutions to meet this need and has provided a new dimension to the notion of collaborative work. In a timeless and limitless virtual space, various players interact by means of Web applications. For some, it is an invitation to become individualistic and a barrier to physical relationships. But, in reality, collaborative work brings people closer to each other and makes them aware of working together to achieve a common goal, which favours real contact. The virtual work space increases the motivation of each person to work as part of a team, because it is more structured and provides visibility and a clearer definition of each person’s role. It is a paradox which is not properly understood.

Collaborative work can be summarised as follows: working together to achieve a common goal! Work organised on the basis of cooperation and sharing. Within this logic, each individual is at the centre of the company’s procedures, in the same way as links in a chain, the joining together of which leads to the outcome of a process.

Nevertheless, in order to succeed with this type of work method, it is important to bear in mind the culture and values of each individual, which may vary depending on the country and the company.

When well used, collaborative work helps to increase the feeling of belonging, which is the very essence of team spirit, and will help to reveal talents. After this, it is the role of the manager to coordinate the flow of ideas and tasks.