How much bandwidth is enough? a longitudinal examination of media characteristics and group outcomes

摘要: This study addresses three key issues related to media differences among computer-mediated groups meeting face-to-face, synchronously and asynchronously: First, do using different perceive characteristics of these differently? Second, media-related perceptions remain static or change as they are used over time? And finally, result in performance differences, i.e., richer better for equivocal tasks predicted by bandwidth theories?Some results this tend support media-characteristics theories while others offer limited more evolutionary perspectives. For instance, initially, face-to-face found their medium be warmer, have a interface effective compared distributed counterparts. While many initial lingered time, there was one notable exception. At the start study, rated being than synchronous groups; however end no significant were apparent. Moreover, despite persistently lower social presence leaner media, distributed-synchronous performed Finally, two types groups-synchronous asynchronous-did not differ significantly performance. improves our understanding interaction simultaneously highlighting need further investigate relationships tasks, technologies teams time.