Computer-Mediated Communication Systems

Computer-Mediated Communication Systems: Status and Evaluation synthesizes current knowledge about computerized conferencing systems, electronic mail, and office information-communication systems. It should be of interest both to students and researchers studying this new form of electronic communication and to organizations that are planning the installation of electronic mail or other computer-mediated communication systems and that need to be aware of the information gleaned from the studies presented here. The book is organized into four main sections, focusing on the following issues: (1) What are the important considerations in designing software or choosing a system from the many available options and capabilities? (2) What factors determine whether such systems are likely to be accepted or rejected? (3) What are the likely impacts of such systems upon the individuals, groups, and organizations which use them? It is not the economic costs and benefits, but the social problems and ""payoffs"" in the form of enhanced performance and organizational efficiency that should be the main considerations in deciding whether or not to use a computer-mediated communication system. (4) Given the conditional nature of many of the possible impacts, no system should be implemented without formal evaluation and feedback from users to guide the implementation. The major kinds of evaluational strategies that have been successfully employed are described in this book.

Preface Acknowledgments

1. Introduction Introduction Overview of the Medium Methodology: How the Data Were Gathered Descriptions of the Systems and Groups Studied The Context of Computer-Mediated Communication Systems
2. System Design Introduction System Software Factors General Interface Characteristics Other Factors: Interactive Systems Design Factors Specific to Computer-Mediated Communication Systems Summary and Conclusions Addendum: Groupware: The Process and Impacts of Design Choices
3. Acceptance and Usage of Computer-Mediated Communication Systems The Conceptualization and Measurement of Acceptance Findings of Previous Studies The Predictive Power of Individual Characteristics Group Factors in Determining Acceptance Other Determinants Summary
4. Impacts of Computer-Mediated Communications upon Individuals and Groups Introduction Toward a Definition of Impacts Procedure Cognitive Impacts on Individuals Affective Impacts on Individuals Behavioral Impacts on Individuals Group Impacts Cognitive Impacts on Groups Affective Impacts on Groups Behavioral Impacts on Groups Societal Impacts Conclusions
5. Appropriate Research Methodology Introduction Goals of Evaluation Stakeholders Data Collection and Analysis Methods New Methodological Tools Conclusions
6. Summary and Conclusions Summary Reflections on the Delphi Process Conclusions Appendix: Background Information on the Systems and Studies References Author Index Subject Index