R. Hightower et L. Sayeed, EFFECTS OF COMMUNICATION MODE AND PREDISCUSSION INFORMATION DISTRIBUTION CHARACTERISTICS ON INFORMATION EXCHANGE IN GROUPS, Information systems research, 7(4), 1996, pp. 451-465
One advantage of groups is that they have access to a larger pool of e
xpertise and knowledge than individual group members. However, groups
are sometimes ineffective at exchanging information. This tendency has
been called biased discussion. The present study examines the effects
of communication mode (face-to-face vs. computer mediated), and Predi
scussion information distribution characteristics on biased discussion
. Biased discussion was found to occur to a greater degree when commun
ication mode was computer-mediated, and the group members were not in
conflict prior to the discussion.