A Comparative Analysis of Individual Communication Processes in Small Group Behavior between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Groups

This study compares the communication behaviors (i.e., turn taking and speaking time distribution) of a cross-cultural small-group communication environment to further investigate the generalizability of Du-Babcock’s (1999) findings. The study also adapted Oeztel’s (1998) effective decision-making theoretical model (EDMT) to broaden the investigation to include cultural dimensions and group composition influences on communication behaviors in small group meetings. The findings suggest that although culture is a contributing factor, the influence of culture and group composition on the communication behaviors of individuals in a homogeneous or in a heterogeneous group decision-making meeting is mixed.