The Effects of Distributed Group Support and Process Structuring on Software Requirements Development Teams: Results on Creativity and Quality

• Published in: Journal of management information systems Vol. 12; no. 3; pp. 127 - 153
• Main Authors: Ocker, Rosalie, Hiltz, Starr Roxanne, Turoff, Murray, Fjermestad, Jerry
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Armonk, N.Y Routledge 01.12.1995; M. E. Sharpe; M.E. Sharpe, Inc; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Asynchronous transfer mode; Communication; Computer conferencing; Computer mediated communication; Computer mediated communications; Computer software; Creative process; Creativity; Decision support systems; Dependent variables; Design analysis; distributed group support; Distributed processing; group creativity; Group size; group support systems; Groups; Influence; Information storage and retrieval systems; Information systems; Minority influence; Problem solving; Social psychology; Software; Software development; software requirements analysis; Studies; Systems development; Total quality; Variables; United States > US
• ISSN: 0742-1222; 1557-928X
• DOI: 10.1080/07421222.1995.11518094

Previous research has indicated that the creative task of deciding upon the initial specifications for a software system can benefit from a structured process to guide group interaction in face-to-face meetings, and can benefit from computer support. This 2×2 experiment is the first to look at the joint effects of a distributed asynchronous computer conferencing mode of communication (CC, as compared with face-to-face), and a structured process, on software design outcomes. Subjects were teams of graduate students in computer science and business, who designed an automated post office as a course assignment. The quality of solution produced by the CC groups was judged to be marginally higher, while CC groups were rated as considerably more creative. There were no main effects for the structured/unstructured factor, or any significant interactions.