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The effect of computer -mediated communication on group decisions: An experimental study of order effects

Jennifer L Blaskovich, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Abstract

Group work, although an essential component of contemporary business, is a costly activity. Advances in information technology have made computer-mediated, virtual meetings a practical alternative to the traditional meeting. However, past research indicates that computer-mediated meetings may not be a wholly equivalent substitute for traditional meetings. This study relies on theories of belief revision and group decision-making to examine whether communication setting affects group belief revision performance in a business task. The belief-adjustment model is a theory of belief revision that predicts a measurable effect on a final decision according to the order of information. Research utilizing the model indicates that although order effects are a pervasive judgment bias, situational factors, such as group work, can temper the effect. Prior research has not addressed whether this benefit holds in a computer-mediated setting. This study posits that computer-mediated groups cannot be assumed to retain the positive belief revision patterns of face-to-face groups, resulting in order biases. Secondary hypotheses explore reasons why the belief revision patterns of face-to-face and virtual groups are expected to differ. An experiment is conducted with a 2 x 2 factorial design obtained by crossing communication setting with evidence order. The results indicate that face-to-face groups exhibit few order effects while the decisions of computer-mediated groups were strongly biased by order. This implies that the benefits of group work cannot be expected to transfer to a computer-mediated setting. Findings on the secondary hypotheses were generally inconsistent with expectations, suggesting that other factors not measured in this study impact group belief revision. This study contributes to the literature by examining how group decisions are changed when the group operates in a computer-mediated setting. The prevalence of, and emphasis on, group work in contemporary organizations is not likely to diminish; the increasing dispersion of organizations has intensified the desire for supportive technology. Studying the differences between face-to-face groups and computer-mediated groups can provide clues into what factors are the most influential in group settings.

Subject Area

Accounting

Recommended Citation

Blaskovich, Jennifer L, "The effect of computer -mediated communication on group decisions: An experimental study of order effects" (2005). ETD collection for University of Nebraska-Lincoln. AAI3167454.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3167454

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