Group impacts using four meeting facilitation techniques

Many studies have investigated the effects of various meeting facilitation techniques on groups, but few have directly compared the effects of different electronic techniques on group interaction. In fact, the vast majority of research in the area of electronic meeting support has used only two techniques: verbal brainstorming and electronic individual poolwriting. This paper describes an experiment involving four groups of 35 undergraduate students each using electronic individual poolwriting, electronic gallery writing, verbal brainstorming, and manual individual poolwriting. Results show that groups using the two electronic techniques were more satisfied and productive and experienced less production blocking and evaluation apprehen­ sion. Although there were no significant differences in production blocking, evaluation appre­ hension, and the number of quality ideas generated between the two electronic techniques, groups were more satisfied with and preferred electronic gallery writing over electronic indi­ vidual poolwriting.