The Effects of Task Complexity and Group Member Experience on Computer-Mediated Groups Facing Deception

Gabriel Giordano; Joey F. George

doi:10.1109/tpc.2013.2273817

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2013

The Effects of Task Complexity and Group Member Experience on Computer-Mediated Groups Facing Deception

Gabriel Giordano Ohio University ; Joey F. George Iowa State University

Abstract

Research problem: Due to globalization and the increased availability of online collaboration tools, individuals are now likely to work together in settings where computers are their primary mode of communication. However, because communication characteristics are different in virtual team settings, especially when they are text based, communication problems, such as deception, arise. Recent research found that deceptive individuals in virtual teams can have a negative impact on group task performance, and it recognized that in addition to the communication medium, task and group characteristics, such as task complexity and group member experience, are important influences in these settings. However, the impacts of these additional influences have not been empirically examined. Research question: Does group members' experience with each other and task complexity affect their deception detection accuracy and task performance in a computer-mediated communication setting? Literature review: Previous literature has shown that deceivers are an important influence on computer-mediated groups. However, few studies have compared different group settings, and no studies have empirically tested the impact that task and group characteristics, such as task complexity and group member experience, have on these types of groups. Methodology: An experiment was designed to test the effect of group member experience and task complexity on computer-mediated groups facing deception. Two-hundred fifty-six undergraduates (256) were selected for the experiment. Results and conclusions: Quantitative analysis, which included multivariate analysis of variance, revealed that (a) groups performing a low-complexity task were better at detecting deception than were groups performing a high-complexity task, (b) groups with members who had experience with each other had higher task performance than did inexperienced groups, and (c) experienced groups did not have higher accuracy in detecting deception than did inexperienced groups. These results highlight the importance of understanding the different affects that task complexity and group member experience have on virtual teams facing deception, and they provide insight into what practices can help minimize the impact of interactive computer-mediated deception.

Journal: IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published: 2013-09-01
DOI: 10.1109/tpc.2013.2273817
CompPile
Open Access: Closed
Topics: collaborative writing digital rhetoric affect and writing book reviews
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The Effects of Task Complexity and Group Member Experience on Computer-Mediated Groups Facing Deception

Abstract

Citation Context

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References (47) · 2 in this index

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