Flaming among first-time group support system users

Numerous benefits, including increases in efficiency, effectiveness, and pa rticipant satisfaction, have been noted in the literature when electronic m eetings are used in place of traditional, oral meetings. However, several c osts, or process losses, have also been observed, including an increase in 'flaming' characterized by insults or even obscenities. This paper describe s how flaming may be correlated with numerous task and group member charact eristics. Results of a case study show that a large number of flames are un related to the topic and that a small minority of those writing comments ar e responsible for the majority of flames. No variables were found to be sig nificant predictors, but its incidence was exclusively among males. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.