ELECTRONIC MEETINGS AND ESTABLISHED DECISION GROUPS - AUDIOCONFERENCING EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE AND STRUCTURAL STABILITY

Two studies used 90 small, well-established decision teams to examine the effects of a one-time use of audioconferencing on group decision p erformance and status structure across two different problem-solving t asks-one intellective, the other value-laden. Audio did not affect per formance or structural stability in either study. Audioconferencing gr oups were no more or less likely to produce high-quality solutions or to support their groups' decisions than were face-to-face groups. Stat us differentiation and leader influence remained relatively stable reg ardless of medium. The results contradict popular wisdoms (mainly deri ved from studies of ad hoc groups) and provide a needed baseline for f urther research on EMS in established groups. The lack of disruption b y audio has important practical implications. (C) Academic Press, Inc.