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Distinguishing Between the Forest and the Trees: Media, Features, and Methodology in Electronic Communication Research

Author

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  • Terri L. Griffith

    (College of Business and Public Administration, 405 McClelland Hall, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721)

  • Gregory B. Northcraft

    (College of Business and Public Administration, 405 McClelland Hall, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721)

Abstract

Electronic communication media usually differ from nonelectronic communication media on a variety of communication features. However, research designs typically do not allow for the most revealing examination of communication feature effects. This paper proposes a methodological framework for conceptualizing and operationalizing electronic communication research, and presents an illustrative study based on the framework. The methodological framework distinguishes among communication media, channels, and features, and emphasizes the importance for theory and research of understanding the effects of communication features both within and across communication media. To demonstrate this framework, subjects in the study participated in a sealed-bid negotiation. Communication of the bids was either paper-and-pencil or computer-mediated. The results revealed a significant main effect for medium (computer-mediated communication yielded lower individual scores), significant main effects for features (documentation and anonymity both yielded lower individual scores), and a significant interaction between a feature (documentation) and medium. For organizations, these results suggest that the accepted effects of a medium should be reexamined in light of the medium's component features; design and adoption decisions should be made with an understanding of the existence of interactions between features and media.

Suggested Citation

  • Terri L. Griffith & Gregory B. Northcraft, 1994. "Distinguishing Between the Forest and the Trees: Media, Features, and Methodology in Electronic Communication Research," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 5(2), pages 272-285, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ororsc:v:5:y:1994:i:2:p:272-285
    DOI: 10.1287/orsc.5.2.272
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Neale, Margaret A. & Griffith, Terri, 1999. "Information Processing in Traditional, Hybrid, and Virtual Teams: From Nascent Knowledge to Transactive Memory," Research Papers 1613, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    2. Ingmar Geiger, 2020. "From Letter to Twitter: A Systematic Review of Communication Media in Negotiation," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 29(2), pages 207-250, April.
    3. Neale, Margaret A. & Griffith, Terri & Sawyer, John E., 2000. "Information Technology as a Jealous Mistress: Competition for Knowledge between Individuals and Organizations," Research Papers 1611, Stanford University, Graduate School of Business.
    4. Joel Harmon, 1998. "Electronic Meetings and Intense Group Conflict: Effects of a Policy-Modeling Performance Support System and an Audio Communication Support System on Satisfaction and Agreement," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 7(2), pages 131-153, March.
    5. Kurtzberg, Terri R. & Naquin, Charles E. & Belkin, Liuba Y., 2005. "Electronic performance appraisals: The effects of e-mail communication on peer ratings in actual and simulated environments," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 98(2), pages 216-226, November.
    6. Dong-Gil Ko & Alan R. Dennis, 2011. "Profiting from Knowledge Management: The Impact of Time and Experience," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 22(1), pages 134-152, March.
    7. Kim, Hyo-Jeong & Mannino, Michael & Nieschwietz, Robert J., 2009. "Information technology acceptance in the internal audit profession: Impact of technology features and complexity," International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, Elsevier, vol. 10(4), pages 214-228.
    8. Andrew Burton-Jones & Detmar W. Straub, 2006. "Reconceptualizing System Usage: An Approach and Empirical Test," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 228-246, September.
    9. Janet Fulk & Rebecca Heino & Andrew J. Flanagin & Peter R. Monge & François Bar, 2004. "A Test of the Individual Action Model for Organizational Information Commons," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 15(5), pages 569-585, October.
    10. Choon-Ling Sia & Bernard C. Y. Tan & Kwok-Kee Wei, 2002. "Group Polarization and Computer-Mediated Communication: Effects of Communication Cues, Social Presence, and Anonymity," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(1), pages 70-90, March.
    11. Michael Ahearne & Eli Jones & Adam Rapp & John Mathieu, 2008. "High Touch Through High Tech: The Impact of Salesperson Technology Usage on Sales Performance via Mediating Mechanisms," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 54(4), pages 671-685, April.
    12. Daily, Bonnie F. & Teich, Jeffrey E., 2001. "Perceptions of contribution in multi-cultural groups in non-GDSS and GDSS environments," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(1), pages 70-83, October.

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