Hussain Abid Syed

Wirtschaftsinformatik / IT für die alternde Gesellschaft - Wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter

Kontakt

hussain.syed@uni-siegen.de

+49 271 740-4410

Büroadresse

US-D 106

1. OG

Kohlbettstraße 15

57072

Siegen

Publikationen

[1] Syed, Hussain Abid; Beck, Dominik; Mueller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2026)
Designing for workplace well-being: a design case study using aromatherapy as a provocation
In: i-com, DOI: 10.1515/icom-2025-0045
Schlagwörter: SMEs; well-being; digitalization; sociotechnical; workplace
Abstract Links

This paper presents the first design iteration of a case study conducted in a pharmaceutical distribution company to investigate the sociotechnical dimensions of managing stress. Aromatherapy is employed both as a design provocation and as a well-being intervention, aiming to uncover the underlying design imperatives of workplace well-being interventions. We conceptualize the workplace as a sociotechnical infrastructure and emphasize the situated and contextual nature of work practices as central to understanding stress. The case study contributes to HCI research by (1) advancing the understanding of stress as a sociotechnical issue in organizational contexts and (2) offering insights into the design and use of aromatherapy as a non-conventional well-being intervention in the workplace, identifying broader implications and tensions for the design of such technologies.

[2] Syed, Hussain Abid; Bhattacharjee, Sourav; Krüger, Maximilian; Müller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2026)
“I Take Care of My Health, but During Work I Put That on the Back Burner”: Designing for Conflicts in the Workplace Health Context
In: Proc. EUSSET Conf. on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2026_115
Abstract Links

[3] Mahmood, Faisal; Syed, Hussain Abid; Naveed, Sidra; Ludwig, Thomas (2026)
Explaining chatbot decisions with enhanced interactions for user trust
In: Proc. EUSSET Conf. on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2026_104
Abstract Links

Intelligent systems require explanations of their underlying decision-making processes, which are vital for developing trust in AI. This is mostly achieved through cognitive modalities that improve trustworthiness using model-driven explanations. Such explanations are often not useful to users and may increase the perceived opacity of AI systems. Our research is focused on a model-driven Q&A chatbot called MAX. The system was developed to provide access to a company’s internal knowledge during crisis situations. However, users experienced difficulties trusting the chatbot’s answers, particularly when dealing with crucial information. In this paper, we deconstruct the notion of trust in chatbots by conducting a workshop series with designers, developers, and users to identify design features that affect the trustworthiness of chatbots used for informational retrieval. The results show that achieving trust through explainability is not a one-step process. Different users require different levels of explanations and control mechanisms to trust the answers given by the chatbot. This study contributes to utilizing enhanced interactions to facilitate stepwise and appropriate reliance on AI for users who engage with systems pragmatically, provisionally, or skeptically. Interacting with explanations helps users understand the role of AI and supports calibrated trust in practice.

[4] Syed, Hussain Abid; Bhattacharjee, Sourav; Adil, Zunera; Ulya Seerat, Syeda; Yousfani, Na-Jeeullah; Kumar, Ayar; Craemer, Thomas; Mueller, Claudia; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Personalization by Design: A Case Study on CardaFit’s Appropriation in Workplace Settings
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1034
Abstract Links

This paper presents an appropriation study of CardaFit, a cross-platform mobile application designed to mitigate the negative health effects of prolonged sitting among desk workers. The app promotes micro-interventions through brief, repeated health reminders that encourage hydration, movement, physical activity, and regular breaks during work hours. CardaFit integrates practice-centered design with personalized notifications, gamification elements, and meal recommendations. The system emphasizes tailorability, user control, and motivational feedback mechanisms, while incorporating context-sensitive nudging to support behavioral change. This demo contributes to the understanding of design principles and features grounded in user feedback, enhancing both relevance and usability, and paving the way for AI-driven personalization, user autonomy, and privacy-aware interactions. Through a longitudinal study, we demonstrate the viability of CardaFit as a realistic and accessible solution for fostering sustainable wellness behaviors in technology-mediated work environments.

[5] Syed, Hussain Abid; Manavi, Mehrbod; Salar Zaidi, Syed Muhammad; Ali Rizvi, Syed Basit; Gerbracht, Marc; Ludwig, Thomas; Wulf, Volker (2025)
Prototyping Industry 4.0: Tracing Infrastructural Resonance in a Smart Factory Demo
In: Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Communities & Technologies (C&T 2025), DOI: 10.48340/ct2025-1008
Abstract Links

With the advent of Industry 4.0, Internet-of-things, and data-centric technologies, the concept of the smart factory (automation of the factory) has gained traction to make machines more than mechanical artifacts. It creates an ecosystem of technologies providing infrastructure to embed technological advancements with the emerging needs of the system. However, with the increasing demand for automation, several socio-technical challenges pertain due to the infusion of several infrastructural layers in the smart factory settings. We present “Demo Smart Factory”, which automates a logistic pipeline, including dummy manufacturing, quality assurance, and sorting, and provides control mechanisms on the real-time sensor data based on components and units of the factory to different stakeholders via a digital twin. Through this exemplary use-case of a logistics smart factory demo, we aim to illustrate the resonance between different infrastructural layers and highlight key socio-technical factors that shape the design and implementation of smart factory systems. We also identify key pitfalls that need to be avoided or balanced in realizing large-scale and multi-layered interventions like a smart factory.

[6] Weiler, Tim; Paluch, Richard; Kirschsieper, Dennis; Procter, Rob; Ortega Roman, Deysi Helen; Syed, Hussain Abid; Tellioglu, Hilda; Hochwarter, Stefan; Lichtenegger, Katharina; Müller, Claudia (2025)
Negotiating Extra Work: A Reflection on Participatory Research Practices in Healthcare
In: Proceedings of the 23rd EUSSET Conference on Computer Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2025_cp02
Schlagwörter: italg
Abstract Links

This reflection paper examines the often overlooked extra work required to conduct and sustain participatory research in healthcare contexts. Scientific projects require forward planning, methodological flexibility and institutional recognition of the additional effort required to enable sustainable participatory research. Drawing on three healthcare-related case studies, we analyse the tensions between formal project objectives and the realities of conducting research in complex, situated environments. Extra work manifests at multiple levels: (1) within the project scope, (2) at the boundary of the project scope, (3) before the project scope, (4) after the project scope, and (5) outside the project scope. While extra work can serve as a driver of innovation and long-term sustainability, it also creates a fundamental tension for researchers who must balance these emerging demands with project goals, institutional frameworks, and personal capacities. Building on existing concepts from CSCW - such as invisible work and articulation work - we systematically apply and extend these perspectives to the domain of technology development in healthcare. By identifying cross-cutting issues in the case studies, such as stakeholder acquisition and co-benefitting, we refine conceptual understandings of infrastructuring, articulation work and situatedness in participatory research. In doing so, we contribute to grounded design and design case study approaches and reflect on the methodological and practical implications of navigating the inherent tensions of adaptive, long-term engagement in healthcare cooperation.

[7] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Pinatti de Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano; Meisner, Konrad; Pipek, Volkmar; Wulf, Volker (2024)
Impacts vs Implications: Rushed Technology Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises due to Covid-19 Pandemic
In: Proceedings of 22nd European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2024_n07
Abstract Links

The surge of digitalization during the pandemic has long-lasting impacts on business organizations: small and medium enterprises (SMEs) rushed towards digitalization to continue operations with the ever-changing local and international implications of the pandemic. This caused these businesses to adopt digital technologies for work and interconnection, often overlooking the necessary use innovations and skills required for long-term usage, with the aim of becoming agile and resilient against the pandemic. To understand the long-term impacts and implications of rushed technology adoption in SMEs, we used case-oriented qualitative comparative analysis (QCA) and content analysis over a collection of thirty semi-structured interviews with SMEs based in Germany. The preliminary findings of our long-term study reveal the haphazard and impulsive decision making in SMEs, rushing towards digitalization to be resilient and agile to the changing work conditions which led to a high demand for technology-related skillset in employees. Through this study we contribute to the understanding of technology adoption, use and appropriation for work in SMEs elaborating the necessity for long-term processual nature which is similar to notion of infrastructuring.

[8] Veisi, Omid; Du, Delong; Moradi, Mohammad Amin; Guasselli, Fernanda Caroline; Athanasoulias, Sotiris; Syed, Hussain Abid; Müller, Claudia; Stevens, Gunnar (2023)
Designing SafeMap Based on City Infrastructure and Empirical Approach: Modified A-Star Algorithm for Earthquake Navigation Application
In: Proceedings of the 1st ACM SIGSPATIAL International Workshop on Advances in Urban-AI, S. 61–70, DOI: 10.1145/3615900.3628788
Schlagwörter: A-star algorithm; city infrastructure; earthquake; navigation; routing; user experience
Abstract Links

Designing routing systems for earthquakes requires frontend usability studies and backend algorithm modifications. Evaluations from subject-matter experts can enhance the design of both the front-end interface and the back-end algorithm of urban artificial intelligence (AI). Urban AI applications need to be trustworthy, responsible, and reliable against earthquakes, by assisting civilians to identify safe and fast routes to safe areas or health support stations. However, routes may become dangerous or obstructed as regular routing applications may fail to adapt responsively to city destruction caused by earthquakes. In this study, we modified the A-star algorithm and designed an interactive mobile app with the evaluation and insights of subject-matter experts including 15 UX designers, 7 urbanists, 8 quake survivors, and 4 first responders. Our findings reveal reducing application features and quickening application use time is necessary for stressful earthquake situations, as emerging features such as augmented reality and voice assistant may negatively backlash user experience in earthquake scenarios due to over-immersion, distracting users from real world condition. Additionally, we utilized expert insights to modify the A-star algorithm for earthquake scenarios using the following steps: 1) create a dataset based on the roads; 2) establish an empty dataset for weight; 3) enable the updating of weight based on infrastructure; and 4) allow the alteration of weight based on safety, related to human behavior. Our study provides empirical evidence on why urban AI applications for earthquakes need to adapt to the rapid speed to use and elucidate how and why the A-star algorithm is optimized for earthquake scenarios.

[9] Ontika, Nazmun Nisat; Plinz-Saßmannshausen, Sheree May; Syed, Hussain Abid; Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano Pinatti de; Pipek, Volkmar (2022)
‪Towards Human-Centered AI: Learning from Current Practices in Radiology‬
Schlagwörter: pairads
Links

[10] Ontika, Nazmun Nisat; Syed, Hussain Abid; Plinz-Saßmannshausen, Sheree May; Harper, Richard HR; Chen, Yunan; Park, Sun Young; Grisot, Miria; Chow, Astrid; Blaumer, Nils; Pinatti de Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano; Pipek, Volkmar (2022)
Exploring Human-Centered AI in Healthcare: Diagnosis, Explainability, and Trust
DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2022_ws06
Schlagwörter: pairads
Abstract Links

AI has become an increasingly active area of research over the past few years in healthcare. Nevertheless, not all research advancements are applicable in the field as there are only a few AI solutions that are actually deployed in medical infrastructures or actively used by medical practitioners. This can be due to various reasons as the lack of a human-centered approach for the or non-incorporation of humans in the loop. In this workshop, we aim to address the questions relevant to human-centered AI solutions associated with healthcare by exploring different human-centered approaches for designing AI systems and using image-based datasets for medical diagnosis. We aim to bring together researchers and practitioners in AI, human-computer interaction, healthcare, etc., and expedite the discussions about making usable systems that will be more comprehensible and dependable. Findings from our workshop may serve as ‘terminus a quo’ to significantly improve AI solutions for medical diagnosis.

[11] Ontika, Nazmun Nisat; Plinz-Saßmannshausen, Sheree May; Syed, Hussain Abid; Pinatti De Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano (2022)
Exploring Human-Centered AI in Healthcare: A Workshop Report
In: IRSI Report, Volume: 19 No.: 2, S. 1-54
Schlagwörter: pairads
Abstract Links

As a technique of improving the quality of life, AI has the potential to take a significant part in healthcare worldwide. However, in order to facilitate the widespread use of AI systems, we must first better comprehend the influence of AI on the healthcare sector. To create an acceptable intelligent system for healthcare, a comprehensive evaluation of ethically driven design, technology that effectively addresses human intellect, and human aspects of design is required. Our two-day workshop at the European Conference on CSCW in 2022 focused on Human-centered AI in the healthcare domain. In the workshop, we brought together researchers and practitioners in health informatics to accelerate conversations about developing usable and efficient intelligent systems that are more understandable and reliable for users.

[12] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Pinatti de Carvalho, Aparecido Fabiano; Rutz, Philipp; Pipek, Volkmar (2022)
Blending Practices to Facilitate Grounded Design Research: A Praxeological Research Perspective
DOI: 10.48340/ecscw2022_n04
Abstract Links

In this paper, we reflect on the experiences from two Grounded Design (GD) research projects conducted by a multidisciplinary group of researchers between 2019 – 2021 and highlight the methodological foundations and related obstacles for iterative designing. Both projects investigate the phenomena of knowledge sharing and crisis-related learning in business organizations under the GD paradigm, which has been increasingly adopted within the Computer- supported Cooperative Work (CSCW) community. During these projects, the researchers with backgrounds in computer science, business informatics, software engineering, and sociology experienced the need for systematization to transition between the stages of GD. Looking back, we realize that our teams arrived at this systematization by blending the prior knowledge from team members’ original educational backgrounds. While blending practices most likely happens intuitively in interdisciplinary projects, as is often the case of the user-centered design initiatives seen in CSCW and Human-Computer Interaction, little can be found on how this usually happens and its implications. In this paper, we respond to this literature gap by discussing how this blending can facilitate the realization of GD projects and lead to a praxeological information science research perspective, which has ‘methods appropriation’ as key to systematizing abstraction, broader traceability, and flexibility of research methods.

[13] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Ankenbauer, Sam Addison; Hassan, Sohaib; Meisner, Konrad; Stein, Martin; Skudelny, Sascha; Karasti, Helena; Pipek, Volkmar (2021)
Infrastructuring for organizational resilience: Experiences and perspectives for business continuity
DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2021_wsmc02
Abstract Links

This workshop discusses organizational resilience and resilient infrastructures by uniting researchers, professionals, and experts from various disciplines. Workplace studies and organizational settings have always been an integral theme in computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW) research. This workshop hopes to broaden this research horizon by overlapping the multidisciplinary perspectives of resilience and crisis research with human-computer interaction (HCI), CSCW, organizational, and business studies. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent physical and social constraints have been detrimental to the activities of different organizations, especially to small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs must recognize and search for opportunities to adapt to this crisis by developing resilient organizational infrastructures. These adaptations can be crucial to overcoming the current disruptions challenging the continued existence keeping in view the intrinsic diversification of various business and industrial sectors. How organizational infrastructures can be designed to instill resilient properties like adaptive capacity, self-adjustment and continuity? We intend to focus on bringing this discussion under the umbrella of CSCW to explore the potentials of collaboration and cooperative work in organizational infrastructure. Through this workshop, we offer research prospects by applying organizational resilience theories to study organizational infrastructure and infrastructuring activities, which can be used for their prospective transformations into resilient infrastructures.

[14] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Ankenbauer, Sam Addison; Hassan, Sohaib; Meisner, Konrad; Stein, Martin; Skudelny, Sascha; Karasti, Helena; Pipek, Volkmar (2021)
Infrastructuring for organizational resilience: Experiences and perspectives for business continuity
DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2021_wsmc02
Abstract Links

[15] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén (2021)
Infrastructuring for organizational resilience: A Workshop Report
In: Infrastructuring for Organizational Resilience: A workshop report, Volume: 1 No.: 18, S. 4-14
Links

[16] Vitt, Nico; Gerbracht, Marc (2021)
Doing research with SMEs: Participation, voluntariness and the role of the researcher
In: Infrastructuring for Organizational Resilience: A workshop report, Volume: 1 No.: 18, S. 43-46
Links

[17] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Hassan, Sohaib S.; Skudelny, Sascha; Grinko, Margarita; Pipek, Volkmar (2020)
From technology adoption to organizational resilience: A current research perspective
In: Radtke, Jörg (Hrsg.) ; Klesel, Michael (Hrsg.) ; Niehaves, Björn (Hrsg.): New perspectives on digitalization: Local issues and global impact. Siegen: Universitätsbibliothek Siegen, 2020. - DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.25819/ubsi/1894, S. 84 - 92, DOI: 10.25819/ubsi/2778
Abstract Links

Digitalization is an ever-increasing phenomenon and is being focused in all prominent research communities around the world. When it comes to businesses, the concept of digitalization can have its far-reaching impacts due to the diverseness of business and distinctiveness of their capabilities. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are of dire importance in this research arena, due to their immense share in global economy and organizational characteristics. The concept of digitalization needs special attention for these business specimens. Technology adoption models need to be built which can transcend the utility of digitalization and digital technologies in SMEs. We propose a hypothetical technology adoption model for increasing the digital maturity in small and medium business organizations and further proposing that matured digitalization will lead to centralized business continuity infrastructure which can boost the organizational resilience.

[18] Schorch, Marén; Seifert, Fabienne; Syed, Hussain Abid; Kotthaus, Christoph; Pipek, Volkmar (2020)
Doing CSCW research in small and medium enterprises: experiences, options and challenges
DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2020_ws02
Abstract Links

This ECSCW workshop draws attention to research and development projects (R&D) that deal with cooperative and collaborative practices in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). European companies are for the most part SMEs: nine out of every ten companies can be defined as an SME (Eurostat 2015). They cover a huge variety of branches and fields, including diverse examples such as manufacturing, construction or IT start-ups, and meanwhile, there is again a growing sphere of CSCW projects that recognize the importance of this field. The empirical methods applied in such SME centered projects include qualitative methods with participant observation, interviewing or conducting co-design workshops, but also quantitative methods like the use of questionnaires or eye-tracking systems. In the workshop, we open up for sharing and reflecting experiences of doing research in SMEs and for discussing the characteristics and challenges of this (old and new) field in CSCW.

[19] Syed, Hussain Abid; Schorch, Marén; Pipek, Volkmar (2020)
Disaster Learning Aid: A Chatbot Centric Approach for Improved Organizational Disaster Resilience
In: Learning from Experience, S. 10
Abstract

The increasingly frequent occurrence of organizational crises exemplifies the need to strengthen organizational resilience. An example of business organizations is small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which contribute largely to the economic growth. But often, their limited resources (manpower, time, financial capital), organizational structure, focus on operational routines and less priority towards disaster resilience make them more vulnerable to crisis than bigger companies. The proposed solution addresses this dilemma by establishing a collaborative medium within the organization to improve disaster resilience by raising awareness and self-learning in employees without overburdening their constrained routines and resources. Our work in progress demonstrates a conceptual model of a learning aid (collaboration channel and a chatbot) that supports the pedagogical methodologies and employs them for enhancing learnability and awareness and elaborates the usability of interactive learning instilling disaster resilience in employees and hence in an organization.

[20] Schorch, Marén; Seifert, Fabienne; Syed, Hussain Abid; Kotthaus, Christoph; Pipek, Volkmar (2020)
Doing CSCW research in small and medium enterprises: experiences, options and challenges
DOI: 10.18420/ecscw2020_ws02
Abstract Links

[21] Syed, Hussain Abid (2019)
Sustainability in Crisis: Towards Business Continuity in Small and Medium Enterprises
In: Proceedings of 17th European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work-Doctoral Colloquium

[22] Syed, Hussain Abid; Nasreen, Shamila; Khalid, Samina (2014)
An Efficient System For Generating Reports Of Cots Used In Component Based Software Engineering
In: J. Appl. Environ. Biol. Sci, Volume: 4 No.: 8S, S. 13-17
Abstract

The world is advancing towards 4th generation techniques of software engineering (SE) and new paradigms are being introduced in every area of SE to outfit new demands of the progressive world. The primary focus of Project Management is time and cost. We are trying our level best to make processes fast and more responsive in order to overcome the time and budget constraints. In the area of software engineering, development of a new system is a comparatively slow process due to which most software projects lag behind the schedule and infringe the deadlines which in return have direct impact on expenditure. To overcome this problem Component Based Software Engineering (CBSE) was introduced which opened up into a new dimension in software development process. Using commercially off the shelf components (COTS) have proved to be an immense assistance to developers reducing a great amount of development time and cost. But their lies a problem in using COTS or a prewritten module or code ie we have to customize it as per our requirements. This customization requires complete understanding of the module as a part or the component as whole. To understand a prewritten code is never an easy task. We propose an efficient and effective system for report generation of input software components that will be a great assistance for programmers who frequently need to customize codes or COTS according to organization’s need.

[23] Syed, Hussain Abid; Vine, Huma Ayub (2012)
An Efficient and Simplest Algorithm for Intelligent Comments Generation of the Input Code that is in High Level Language
In: International Journal of Scientific & Engineering Research, Volume: 3 No.: 6
Links

[24] Syed, Hussain Abid; Zehra, Samana; Iftikhar, Haseeb (2011)
Using computer aided language software for teaching and self-learning
In: 2011 14th International Conference on Interactive Collaborative Learning, S. 102–106
Links