Communication Medium and Member Familiarity

Abstract

The effects of communication medium and member familiarity on decision time, member satisfaction, and decision accuracy were explored. The study represents the first known attempt to examine the role of member familiarity on the study variables in face-to-face (FTF) and computer-mediated (CM) mediums. The results of 71 three-person groups revealed familiarity affected decision time and accuracy within the CM condition. For CM groups only, as member familiarity among group members increased, decision time decreased, and unexpectedly decision accuracy decreased. Another finding for CM group members was an indication that familiarity increased satisfaction with group process. Last, satisfaction with communication medium was only influenced by the communication medium (CM group members were less satisfied). It appears that familiarity plays a larger role in CM groups than in FTF groups. Implications are discussed.