Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Teams by Adapting Team Processes
Computer Supported Cooperative Work
Impact of using electronic collaborative media on knowledge sharing phases
ICOSSSE'08 Proceedings of the 7th WSEAS international conference on System science and simulation in engineering
Design of communication: a review of theories and models
Proceedings of the Workshop on Information Systems and Design of Communication
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In this paper, we examine the emergent patterns of media use in collaboration at a distance. Two teams working at a distance to complete a software specifications project were observed using a mix of email, web archiving, synchronous chat, and applications sharing. Extending Media Richness Theory, we describe the multiplicity of communication situations these teams faced in terms of group management, interpersonal work, task work, and tools/media issues. We suggest that despite differences between the teams in both performace, communication, and situation, common patterns emerged in which each media type appeared to afford a distinct characteristic mix of communication. For both teams, email was dominated by exchanges on topics of group management; application-sharing/chat environments were dominated by exchanges over task work. Based on these results concerning emergent patterns of media use, we offer predictions concerning media use in collaboration at a distance and suggest some practical guidelines for those interested in supporting such work effectively.