In a previous project we did usability testing on a suite of intranet applications, and users could not connect links with application actions. Users are used to using links as ways to open a new page, link out of the current application, and/or cross-reference with other pages. Computer users have been clicking buttons to perform application actions for way too long to easily override the behavior.
IMHO, anything that relates as an application action is going to be a button. Opening a folder, document, page, etc, will end up in a link. I would look for a strong business case to override these.
In a previous project we did usability testing on a suite of intranet applications, and users could not connect links with application actions. Users are used to using links as ways to open a new page, link out of the current application, and/or cross-reference with other pages. Computer users have been clicking buttons to perform application actions for way too long to easily override the behavior.
IMHO, anything that relates as an application action is going to be a button. Opening a folder, document, page, etc, will end up in a link. I would look for a strong business case to override these.