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Computer-Mediated Communication and Group Decision Making: A Meta-Analysis☆

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Abstract

A meta-analysis of research comparing decision making in face-to-face versus computer-mediated communication groups was conducted. Results suggest that computer-mediated communication leads to decreases in group effectiveness, increases in time required to complete tasks and decreases in member satisfaction compared to face-to-face groups. All of the moderators tested (anonymity in the group process, limited versus unlimited time to reach decisions, group size, and task type) were significant for at least one of the dependent variables. The article concludes with cautions about the unbridled rush by organizations to adopt computer-mediated communication as a medium for group decision making and implications of the present findings for theory and research on computer-mediated communication and group decision making.

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    ☆

    Portions of this article were originally presented at the 107th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association in Boston, MA, August 20–24, 1999. The third through fifth authors contributed equally.

    f2

    Address correspondence and reprint requests to Boris B. Baltes, Psychology Department, 71 W. Warren, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202. E-mail: [email protected].

    f3

    *Studies included in the meta-analysis are marked with an asterisk.

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