The Influence of Online Communication and Web-Based Collaboration Environments on Group Collaboration and Performance

Abstract

The aim of this research is to assess the effect of using online communication mechanisms such as chat and thread discussion on effectiveness of collaboration through Web-Based Collaborative Environment (WBCE). A previous pilot study with 12 students helped us to decide which type of online communication mechanisms we should use in the final experiment with 96 students and to redefine the activity design. The data were collected through two questionnaires, which tested students’ personality and their perception of WBCEs and activities. This experiment constituted a significant part of the final grade in one Industrial Engineering course to encourage participation and performance. The results bring up insights on WBCEs effectiveness. Particularly, we have not found direct effect of use of online communication mechanisms on work group performance. Thus, ability of these mechanisms to promote social interaction and collaboration should be contextually dependent. Also, the relationship between the use of WBCEs and group performance may be influenced by the nature of experimental task.