ACTIVITIES AND COMMUNICATION MODES

To what extent is collaborative writing constrained by the communicati on modes used? We have surveyed 10 collaborative authors' perceptions on the effectiveness of five communication modes: email, face-to-face, fax, post and telephone. Through a repeated measures design, a mappin g between these modes and the activities of commitment management, dec ision-making, awareness, communication, transparency and perceptions w as determined. No tool-supported mode is as effective as face-to-face but each mode serves a function in supporting coordination. (C) 1997 A cademic Press Limited.