Patterns of Sociotechnical Design Preferences of Chatbots for Intergenerational Collaborative Innovation : A Q Methodology Study

TL;DR

This study investigates intergenerational preferences for chatbot design in collaborative innovation, revealing diverse priorities among age groups and proposing a shift from age-focused to goal-oriented design using Q methodology.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of Q methodology to understand intergenerational chatbot preferences and offers principles for designing chatbots that support multigenerational collaboration.

Findings

Younger adults have more diverse chatbot design priorities.

Chatbots can support both generations in workplace collaboration.

Q methodology guides age-inclusive, goal-oriented chatbot design.

Abstract

Chatbot technology is increasingly emerging as a virtual assistant. Chatbots could allow individuals and organizations to accomplish objectives that are currently not fully optimized for collaboration across an intergenerational context. This paper explores the preferences of chatbots as a companion in intergenerational innovation. The Q methodology was used to investigate different types of collaborators and determine how different choices occur between collaborators that merge the problem and solution domains of chatbots' design within intergenerational settings. The study's findings reveal that various chatbot design priorities are more diverse among younger adults than senior adults. Additionally, our research further outlines the principles of chatbot design and how chatbots will support both generations. This research is the first step towards cultivating a deeper understanding of different age groups' subjective design preferences for chatbots functioning as a companion in the workplace. Moreover, this study demonstrates how the Q methodology can guide technological development by shifting the approach from an age-focused design to a common goal-oriented design within a multigenerational context.