Qualitative Study on Group Decision Making with Synchronous Text Communication Medium

동시적 텍스트 기반 매체를 이용한 집단의사결정에 관한 질적 연구

This study identifies communication patterns of groups using synchronous text communication medium for their group decision-making, and examines how these patterns are associated with creative solutions to problems. Our research suggests that certain communication behavior of groups, when appropriately organized, can be of help in enhancing creative production of outcomes. A qualitative study was conducted on communication patterns based on an analysis of text-based electronic conversation protocols. Specifically this research tried to overcome existing studies on electronic groups by focusing on interactive process of communication among participants. The major study conclusion; are: (1) The production of creative outcome may depend on the process or sequence of discussion among group members with synchronous text communication medium. That is, proper interactive responses and appropriate control of the discussion process are essential to obtain a high level of performance. (2) It is importantto make discuss rules based on meta-cognitive and interactive protocols in the early stage. Explicit rules relating to internal group processes as well as communication medium use are even more important to groups with electronic communication medium than face-to-face groups.