EFFECTS OF TELECONFERENCING TECHNOLOGIES - AN EXPLORATION OF COMPREHENSION, FEEDBACK, SATISFACTION AND ROLE-RELATED DIFFERENCES

Several theoretical approaches have been put forth to predict and expl ain the effects of teleconferencing technologies. One approach is to e xamine the functions of nonverbal signals and to make predictions base d on the fact that different teleconferencing technologies allow nonve rbal communication to different extents. One of the functions of nonve rbal signals is to allow the listener to provide feedback to the speak er in a communication. Prior research has shown that such feedback enh ances listener comprehension. In this study, it was hypothesized that different teleconferencing technologies would allow different levels o f feedback based on their ability to accommodate nonverbal signals, an d this in turn would affect comprehension. An experimental study was c onducted to compare comprehension, feedback, and satisfaction in telep hone and computer conferencing. The study confirmed that comprehension and speaker satisfaction are related to feedback, but failed to show a relationship between listener satisfaction and feedback. No differen ce in comprehension, listener, or speaker satisfaction was observed ac ross teleconferencing technologies. Role-related differences were obse rved between the speaker and the listener. It is suggested that the ef fects of teleconferencing technologies can be mapped systematically by examining each of the functions of nonverbal signals, one at a time.