Utility and Usability: Research Issues and Development Contexts

Abstract It is notoriously difficult to separate the function of interactive software from its form, to draw a line between software functionality and its human-computer interface. Nevertheless, two research communities exist in the USA, one focused on information system functionality and organizational impact, the other on human-computer dialogues or ‘user interfaces’ to systems and applications. These communities largely draw from different systems development contexts: in-house or internal development and off-the-shelf product development, respectively. Each has its own core set of issues, theoretical constructs and terminologies. The histories of these research and development communities are summarized, points of contact are identified and their possible evolution is suggested.