Theoretical and Methodological Issues in Group Support Systems Research

Abstract

The amount of research on group support systems (GSS) is growing quickly. One component of GSS, anonymous interaction, has received a great deal of attention recently. The quantitative and qualitative research thus far on anonymous GSS interaction suggests that the effects of GSS anonymity on group processes and outcomes are positive and/or neutral. In this article, the authors explore the potentialfor negative and/or dysfunctional consequences of GSS anonymity and discuss the relevant implications and research questions to be asked and answered.