The Effect of Individual Traits on Emerging Roles in Synchronous Computer-Mediated Groups

Abstract

This study examines group dynamics in a virtual decision-making context through the lens of role theory and speech act theory, furthering previous research on the roles that emerge in such settings. Specifically, this research uses communication transcripts and text analysis to complete two main research objectives. First, we extend prior research by exploring how individual traits of group members (specifically, personality, cognitive ability, and social sensitivity) are related to emerging roles in computer-mediated communication. Personal characteristics such as agreeableness, social sensitivity, and motivation were significant predictors of role emergence in online decision-making groups. Agreeableness predicted the emergence of the listener role, social sensitivity predicted the emergence of the manager role, and motivation predicted the emergence of the sharer role. Second, we answer the call for more replication research and further validate the results from previous research by measuring roles assumed by individuals working synchronously online; we highlight the findings that are confirmed across previous research and our current study.