An assessment of change in behavioral dynamics among computer‐supported groups: different factors change at different rates

Abstract

Group members’ attitudes toward social processes and media properties are likely to change as members interact and gain experience with each other and technology in computer‐supported environments. Moreover, these attitudes are likely to evolve differently. This study examines computer‐supported groups of four over a series of four sessions working on a collaborative writing task. Results from this study indicate that group‐related attitudes, i.e. social perceptions, tend to change sooner, and to a greater extent, than media‐related ones. A possible explanation for these differences is that computer media have certain physical properties that cannot be easily altered by users. In contrast, group‐related structures appear to be much more malleable. These results imply that, for example, groups can, with the right assistance, develop positive group attitudes rather quickly which tend to last over time. In contrast, attitudes towards technical systems tend to evolve more slowly and, when system designs are flawed or users are not well trained on system features, managers may be faced with persistent negative user attitudes. Thus, understanding how social and technical attitudes evolve is critical for managers who want to improve group processes.