Imposed Group Structures Chapter 9

Overview Background Information Background Information Structural PerspectiveStructural Perspective Input VariablesInput Variables Types of Imposed Group Structures Types of Imposed Group Structures Structures that restricts who communicatesStructures that restricts who communicates Possible Networks for Groups Possible Networks for Groups Measuring Interaction & Quantifying Structures Measuring Interaction & Quantifying Structures Distance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network CentralityDistance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network Centrality Structures that control how group members communicate with one another.Structures that control how group members communicate with one another. Communication media vs. FtF Communication media vs. FtF Types of Channels Types of Channels Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects) Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects) Mediated Group Discussion Mediated Group Discussion Computer ConferencingComputer Conferencing Emotional ContentEmotional Content

Background Information Norms and roles are STRUCTURES that form within groups Norms and roles are STRUCTURES that form within groups Organizations often impose structures (outside forces) on groups Organizations often impose structures (outside forces) on groups Types of Imposed Group Structures (IGS) Types of Imposed Group Structures (IGS) WHO communicatesWHO communicates HOW group members communicateHOW group members communicate Structural Perspective Structural Perspective IGS’s are treated as INPUT VARIABLES IGS’s are treated as INPUT VARIABLES RQ: Which structures best meet different organizational needs? RQ: Which structures best meet different organizational needs?

Relevant Research Questions RQ1: Which structures best meet different organizational needs? RQ1: Which structures best meet different organizational needs? RQ2: How do imposed group structures affect group process? RQ2: How do imposed group structures affect group process? RQ3: How do imposed group structures affect group output? RQ3: How do imposed group structures affect group output?

Methodology Combine theoretical and practical concerns Combine theoretical and practical concerns Basic/Applied Research Grid Basic/Applied Research Grid Pasteur’s Quadrant Pasteur’s Quadrant

Types of Imposed Group Structures Structures that restricts who communicates Structures that restricts who communicates Possible Networks for GroupsPossible Networks for Groups Measuring Interaction & Quantifying StructuresMeasuring Interaction & Quantifying Structures Distance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network Centrality Distance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network Centrality Structures that control how group members communicate with one another. Structures that control how group members communicate with one another. Communication media vs. FtFCommunication media vs. FtF Types of ChannelsTypes of Channels Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects)Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects)

Possible Networks for Five-Person Groups Five Possible “Structures” (p. 2) Five Possible “Structures” (p. 2) Wheel (hierarchy)Wheel (hierarchy) Y CircleCircle ChainChain COMCON (completely connected)COMCON (completely connected) Direct and Indirect Communication Links Direct and Indirect Communication Links Measuring Interaction and Quantifying a Group’s Network of Communication Measuring Interaction and Quantifying a Group’s Network of Communication

Four Important Indices Used to Evaluate Communication Networks Distance – number of links between any two members Distance – number of links between any two members Summed Distance – the distances it takes for one member to reach all other members in the group (refers only to each individual member; structure of a group is based only on this criterion) Summed Distance – the distances it takes for one member to reach all other members in the group (refers only to each individual member; structure of a group is based only on this criterion) Position Centrality – how central or peripheral a single group member’s position is in the network (member with lower summed distance is central) Position Centrality – how central or peripheral a single group member’s position is in the network (member with lower summed distance is central) Network Centrality – sum of all members’ position centrality scores (centralized vs. diffused groups) Network Centrality – sum of all members’ position centrality scores (centralized vs. diffused groups) Differences in position centrality lead to differences in process and output variables. Network centrality also affects group process and output.

Research Conclusions The more centralized the group, the better it performs (speed, accuracy, and group process). The more centralized the group, the better it performs (speed, accuracy, and group process). The more centralized the group, the more often and more unanimously the members judged that the group had a leader. The more centralized the group, the more often and more unanimously the members judged that the group had a leader. Central members of centralized networks send more messages and like their jobs the most. Central members of centralized networks send more messages and like their jobs the most. Levels of satisfaction increase as groups become more centralized. Levels of satisfaction increase as groups become more centralized. The choice concerning whether to restrict the structure of who-can-speak-to-whom depends on the GROUP’s GOAL (very important) The choice concerning whether to restrict the structure of who-can-speak-to-whom depends on the GROUP’s GOAL (very important) In a centralized group network the competent person is the most central member In a centralized group network the competent person is the most central member Task complexity determines which group organizations function best. Task complexity determines which group organizations function best. Problem solving experience improves group organization Problem solving experience improves group organization Groups can plan an efficient structure for themselves Groups can plan an efficient structure for themselves Groups try to maintain their imposed networks if those structures are effective. Groups try to maintain their imposed networks if those structures are effective.

Structures that control how group communication occurs... Mediated Group Discussion Mediated Group Discussion Types of Channels Types of Channels Audio and VisualAudio and Visual VisualVisual AudioAudio NeitherNeither Theories Theories Social Presence Theory (Short, Williams, & ChristieSocial Presence Theory (Short, Williams, & Christie Media Effects (Theories)Media Effects (Theories) Media Richness Theory (Daft & Lengel)Media Richness Theory (Daft & Lengel) Social Influence Theory (Walther)Social Influence Theory (Walther)

Computer Conferencing Traits Traits Types Types Application of Theory Application of Theory Computer Conferencing & Social Presence TheoryComputer Conferencing & Social Presence Theory Emotional Content of Electronic CommunicationEmotional Content of Electronic Communication “Cues-filtered out” “Cues-filtered out” Social Influence Theory (Walther) Social Influence Theory (Walther) Low Social Presence Results Low Social Presence Results

Summary Background Information Background Information Structural PerspectiveStructural Perspective Types of Imposed Group Structures Types of Imposed Group Structures Structures that restricts who communicatesStructures that restricts who communicates Possible Networks for Groups Possible Networks for Groups Measuring Interaction & Quantifying Structures Measuring Interaction & Quantifying Structures Distance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network CentralityDistance, Summed Distance, Position Centrality, Network Centrality Structures that control how group members communicate with one another.Structures that control how group members communicate with one another. Communication media vs. FtF Communication media vs. FtF Types of Channels Types of Channels Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects) Theories (social presence, media richness, media effects) Mediated Group Discussion Mediated Group Discussion Computer ConferencingComputer Conferencing Emotional ContentEmotional Content