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Can Computer-Mediated Asynchronous Communication Improve Team Processes and Decision Making? Learning From the Management Literature

Utah Valley State College, berrygr{at}uvsc.edu

Effective communication is critical to most organizational processes, including team collaboration and decision making. Face-to-face communication is commonly assumed to be superior to all other forms of communication, yet face-to-face communication does not cope well with organizational constraints such as time pressure or the geographic distribution of team members. A partial answer in overcoming some of these constraints may be computer-mediated asynchronous communication (CMAC). CMAC enables increased and more equal team member participation, offers flexibility over time and distance, creates time for additional reflection and thought by participants, and archives a permanent record of all discussion. CMAC overcomes some of the drawbacks common to face-to-face communication in some circumstances, thus enhancing organizational communication, team collaboration, and decision-making effectiveness.

Key Words: asynchronous communication • computer-mediated communication • team processes • decision making

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