Tools for Online Collaboration: Do they contribute to Improve Teamwork? (original) (raw)
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Computer Communications, 1998
This paper describes an investigation into the practical use of multi-media tools available on the Internet for the purpose of communication and collaboration between remotely located users. A prototype interface incorporating voice, text and graphics-based communication tools was developed according to the needs of a group of researchers. Experiments were conducted whereby the interface was used to carry out authentic tasks for the joint preparation of a research paper. The tasks involved simultaneous activity between researchers located in the UK and Australia where the time difference between the sites was 8.5 h. From the results of the investigation, issues that are relevant to multimedia tool design and what users can expect in practice from their use on the Internet were identified. 0 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.
Using the theoretical lens of compensatory adaptation theory, this study examines how organizational problem-solving teams adapt to lean media and effectively communicate. We examined several successful virtual teams using a bulletin board as their primary communication medium to perform complex process improvement tasks in their natural business environment. Although some established theories predict failure using lean media, savings from use of simple e-collaboration technologies provide motivation for conduct of virtual teams. Compensatory adaptation theory argues that e-collaboration technologies often pose obstacles to communication, and yet also lead to better team outcomes than the face-to-face medium. This study provides support for that theory. Members of the virtual teams reported adapting their communication to be more focused, clear, precise, neutral, concrete, concise, persuasive, considerate, and complete in order to overcome the obstacles posed by media of low richness. As a result of those adaptations, the teams perceived better quality and achieved success of the team outcome.
An exploratory investigation of two internet-based communication modes
Computer Standards & Interfaces, 2007
Instant messaging (IM) was first introduced in the late 1990s. It has a relatively short history of adoption compared to other electronic media such as e-mail. In the first few years, the majority of IM users were teenagers. Only a relatively small portion of adult Internet users used IM. Recently as the young IM users gradually enter the workforce, an increasing popularity of IM among working professionals is expected. Consequently, the use of IM in the workplace for job-related task becomes more likely. The potential impact of IM will also become a more important organizational issue. This study compares the use of IM versus e-mail as the communication tool to facilitate group task for geographically dispersed teams. An experiment using 44 teams in the United States was conducted. The results show that teams using e-mail are more effective in terms of generating ideas than teams using IM. There are no significance differences between the two communication methods, in terms of task difficulty, playfulness, and ease of use.
2001
The Internet as a communication and social environment is one of the hot topics in psychology and communication research. Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) is an interdisciplinary field that analyses various phenomena that arise from the use of the Internet for human communication. The theories of CMC are briefly outlined in the paper as well as the research findings that support these theories. Various psychosocial phenomena that are related to the use of the Internet are also illustrated. Finally, conclusions are drawn regarding the impact of the Internet related psychosocial phenomena and of the results of CMC research on collaboration and teamwork over the Internet.
ENRICHMENT OF ONLINE AND PHYSICAL COLLABORATION
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENGINEERING AND PRODUCT DESIGN EDUCATION , 2021
Prolonged online collaboration decreases employee productivity. Furthermore, the initial productivity gains from telecommuting are lost over time, and teams see their efficiency and effectiveness decline even with sustained remote collaboration. The current study evaluates the underlying pains and gains of prolonged remote collaboration. In addition, information from relevant studies like behavioural science and new technologies are explored. Based on interviews, observation and co-creation, opportunities are listed to inspire and provide direction for innovation in a hybrid work environment.
Internet Based Collaboration Tools
IGI Global eBooks, 2017
This structured literature review examines the digital tools used to facilitate distance collaboration and the available research relative to the use of those tools. The purpose of this paper was to contribute to a better understanding of Internet based professional collaboration tools, their features and benefits, and best research based professional practices. The authors examined 33 refereed or peer reviewed articles published from 2002 to 2015 that addressed the use of Web-based digital tools to support professional collaboration. Authors who are considered experts in the areas of virtual communities, digital collaboration, social psychology and technology and who publish in other forms were also included in the paper. In addition to providing a definition, a description and available research for each tool type, the Fit-Viability Model (Tjan, 2001) is presented as part of this paper to guide digital collaborators in digital tool selection. The review and synthesis of the literature suggest an emerging need for a range of knowledge of Internet-based professional collaboration tools. Important elements of this knowledge include an understanding of the types of tools available and their features, limitations, and use. These insights empower digital collaborators with the ability to choose an appropriate and efficient tool for the collaborative project.
Impact of computer-mediated communication on virtual Teams’ Performance: An empirical study
2008 International Symposium on Information Technology, 2008
In a complex project environment, project teams face multi-dimensional communication problems that can ultimately lead to project breakdown. Team Performance varies in Face-to-Face (FTF) environment versus groups working remotely in a computermediated communication (CMC) environment. A brief review of the Input_Process_Output model suggested by James E. Driskell, Paul H. Radtke and Eduardo Salas in "Virtual Teams: Effects of Technological Mediation on Team Performance (2003)", has been done to develop the basis of this research. This model theoretically analyzes the effects of technological mediation on team processes, such as, cohesiveness, status and authority relations, counternormative behavior and communication. An empirical study described in this paper has been undertaken to test the "cohesiveness" of diverse project teams in a multinational organization. This study uses both quantitative and qualitative techniques for data gathering and analysis. These techniques include interviews, questionnaires for data collection and graphical data representation for analyzing the collected data. Computer-mediated technology may impact team performance because of difference in cohesiveness among teams and this difference may be moderated by factors, such as, the type of communication environment, the type of task and the temporal context of the team. Based on the reviewed model, sets of hypotheses are devised and tested. This research, reports on a study that compared team cohesiveness among virtual teams using CMC and non-CMC communication mediums. The findings suggest that CMC can help virtual teams increase team cohesiveness among their members, making CMC an effective medium for increasing productivity and team performance.
Synthesizing the Research Advances in Electronic Collaboration
International Journal of e-Collaboration, 2009
This article has the objectives to discuss the background for the two special issues of International Journal of e-Collaboration on electronic collaboration in organizations, examine four theoretical frameworks with particular regard to their relevance to the content in the articles in the special issues, and summarize each of the nine articles in these issues. The articles in the special issues are diverse in conceptual theory, units of analysis, research methods, and levels of collaboration. Units of analysis span from the individual, virtual team, company to the dyadic relationship between firms. Electronic collaboration is studied in locales including Austria, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United States. The diversity extends knowledge within varied realms of the electronic collaboration field. This introductory article offers an overall framework for these two special issues to help readers and potential authors see how the studies relate to one another and to the overall body of knowledge.