The impact of video-mediated interaction and group decision support tools on group perception and satisfaction: An experimental investigation in distributed meeting environment

The purpose of this research work was to understand the effects of several technologies used to support synchronous distributed meetings. A model meeting design to improve decision making and problem solving in distributed same-time meetings was employed and tested. Specifically, this study investigated experimentally the impact of communication media (videoconferencing vs. audioconferencing) and the use/non-use of group decision support tools (GDST) on group perception and goal satisfaction in a synchronous distributed group decision task. The findings should be helpful in creating future interaction scenarios for distributed groups and lead to the development of new theories about the nature of same-time distributed work.; Seventy-two professionals from a large organization participated in a study to solve a real-world task. Two factors were manipulated, the use of GDST and the communication media (audioconferencing or videoconferencing). The communications medium were employed at two levels: half of the groups used audioconferencing and the other half used two-way videoconferencing. GDST was also at two levels. The experiment was designed as a 2 x 2 factorial design with repeated measures on one factor (the communication medium). Dependent variables measured were: perception of social presence, perception of communication interface, perception of communication effectiveness, individual personal satisfaction of the meeting process and outcome, and perception of the final decision quality.; The use of GDST in a distributed same-time environment did not decrease perception of social presence or communication interface. At the same time GDST did not increase perception of communication effectiveness or perception of quality. However, GDST decreased individual personal satisfaction with the meeting. Regarding the use of audioconferencing and videoconferencing we found that when groups met without using GDST, videoconferencing was perceived as a significant element that increases perception of social presence, communication effectiveness, communication interface, and perception of quality. However, the use of video did not enhance the individual personal satisfaction with the meeting. On the other hand, when groups met using GDST, no difference was detected between audioconferencing and videoconferencing in terms of perception of social presence, communication effectiveness, communication interface, perception of quality, and personal satisfaction.