A meta-analysis of social desirability distortion compared computer questionnaires with traditional paper-and-pencil questionnaires and face-to-face interviews in 61 studies (1967— 1997; 673 effect sizes). Controlling for correlated observations, a near-zero overall effect size was obtained for computer versus paper-and-pencil questionnaires. With moderators, there was less distortion on computerized measures of social desirability responding than on the paper-and-pencil measures, especially when respondents were alone and could backtrack. There was more distortion on the computer on other scales, but distortion was small when respondents were alone, anonymous, and could backtrack. There was less distortion on computerized versions of interviews than on face-to-face interviews. Research is needed on nonlinear patterns of distortion, and on the effects of context and interface on privacy perceptions and on responses to sensitive questions. As computer and computer-based telecommunications technologies proliferate through society, increasingly they are being used to solicit information from people. Previously existing clinical instruments, personality scales, job

This article extends the growing body of research on computer-mediated communication to a negotiations setting. The author compares face-to-face negotiation outcomes with computer-mediated negotiation outcomes using an integrative (win-win) negotiation. There were two main results of interest. First, computer-mediated final agreements are somewhat more integrative than those negotiated face-to-face, suggesting there is no efficiency loss from negotiating long distance using information technology. Second, computer-mediated agreements tend to be significantly more equal than face-to-face agreements.

Conductive Chat is an instant messaging client which incorporates users ’ fluctuating skin conductivity levels into the dialogue interface. By including an indication of users’ emotional arousal within a text chat interaction, Conductive Chat augments the written communication with situated affective content. We hypothesize that this additional contextual channel increases the quality and effectiveness of the computer-mediated communication.

Ineffective use of text-based synchronous computer-mediated communication (CMC), that is, chats, may affect the quality of communicative exchange compared to effective use and to face-to-face (FtF) communication. Especially in groups making decisions in equivocal judgmental tasks, inappropriate use of the CMC medium often impairs performance. Users need high communication and media competencies to overcome the negative effects brought about by the technology. Without intervention, mutual understanding and satisfaction with the group process are reduced in computer-mediated decision groups. Training that helps participants adapt to the medium should provide them with the needed competencies. The authors found a complex pattern of process and outcome effects with the best performance scores in the FtF condition, performance scores in CMC with training approximating those of the FtF condition, and lowest performance scores in CMC without training.

In this paper we discuss how group processes can be influenced by designing specific tools in computer supported collaborative leaning. We present the design of a shared workspace application for co-constructive tasks that is enriched by certain functions that are able to track, analyze and feed back parameters of collaboration to group members. Thereby our interdisciplinary approach is mainly based on an integrative methodology for analyzing collaboration behavior and patterns in an implicit manner combined with explicit surveyed data of group members' attitudes and its immediate feedback to the groups. In an exploratory study we examined the influence of this feedback function. Although we could only analyze ad-hoc groups in this study, we detected some benefits of our methodology which might enrich real life Learning Communities' collaboration processes. The data analysis in our study showed advantages of this feedback on processes of a group's well-being as well as parameters of participation. These results provide a basis for further empirical work on problem solving groups that are supported by means of parallel interaction analysis as well as its re-use as information resource.

In two studies, the authors tested predictions derived from the social identity model of deindividuation effects (SIDE) concerning the potential of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to serve as a means to resist powerful out-groups. Earlier research using the SIDE model indicates that the anonymity of virtual groups can accentuate the power differentials associated with salient social identities: a cognitive effect. The present research builds on the strategic component of the SIDE model to show that CMC can also provide a channel of social support fostering resistance. In Study 1, students were more likely to express opinions normative for their group but punishable by the out-group (faculty) when CMC was available, independent of mutual anonymity. In Study 2, the authors directly manipulated the proposed mediator, social support within CMC, and showed increased willingness to express normative attitudes against out-group interests as a function of support.

Electronic ties are loosening the constraints of organizational structure and physical proximity to allow connectivity between individuals who would otherwise find it difficult to identify and sustain contact with others who share the similar interests. This paper explores the knowledge exchange processes in extra-organizational networks of practice by studying three technical newsgroups. We argue that the development of relational social capital is a vital component for transforming electronic posting forums into ongoing networks of practice. The results reveal that relational social capital exists on networks of practice and shows a strong relationship with knowledge exchange processes over and above the influence of individual motivation and ability. The concept of a community of practice is emerging as an essential building block of the knowledge economy. Communities of practice are being promoted within organizations as sources of competitive advantage and facilitators of organiza...

Infodrome is a thinktank for the Dutch government: a “programme of studies, reports, evaluations, conferences and other activities focussed on contributing on the design of policy of government in the information society”. The purpose is to accomplish insights that are useful to formulating policies for the next Dutch Cabinet. Infodrome was installed by dr. Rick van der Ploeg, the Dutch State Secretary of Education, Culture and Science, authorised by the Dutch Cabinet for a period of two years. Infodrome is led by a steering group with the State Secretary as its chairman and the directors of the Dutch planning agencies as members. The steering group is advised by a supervisory committee in which al the Dutch Ministries are represented on directorate level. The Programme Bureau is located in the offices of the KNAW (Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences) in Amsterdam. 2 VOORWOORD

We conducted an exploratory study to examine the unique electronic mail usage patterns exhibited by the emergent leaders in seven teams of senior executives of a federal government agency. The team members worked together over ten weeks via electronic mail in the context of an executive development program. The goal of the analysis was to identify the distinct patterns of communication behaviors among emergent leaders in distributed teams that differentiate them from other team members. To this end, we conducted a content analysis of 327 electronic mail messages that were sent to the list-serve, using a coding scheme developed based on the existing leadership and small group literature. We examined the communication frequency, the message type (task-oriented, people-oriented, and technology-oriented), and the message length. Our results provide four main observations regarding emergent leadership in distributed teams: (1) overall, the emergent leaders sent more messages than other members did; (2) the emergent leaders sent more task-related messages than other members did; (3) the emergent leaders sent longer messages than other members did; and (4) demographic variables such as age, job experience, and experience at the current position did not affect emergent leadership.

Using an interruptions framework, this article proposes and tests a set of hypotheses concerning the relationship of meeting time demands with job attitudes and well-being (JAWB). Two Internet surveys were administered to employees who worked 35 hr or more per week. Study 1 examined prescheduled meetings attended in a typical week (N � 676), whereas Study 2 investigated prescheduled meetings attended during the current day (N � 304). As proposed, the relationship between meeting time demands and JAWB was moderated by task interdependence, meeting experience quality, and accomplishment striving. However, results were somewhat dependent on the time frame of a study and the operational definition used for meeting time demands. Furthermore, perceived meeting effectiveness was found to have a strong, direct relationship with JAWB.