Computer-supported groups: An experiment in innovative information system idea generation and gender effects.
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Title
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Computer-supported groups: An experiment in innovative information system idea generation and gender effects.
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Identifier
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AAI9630477
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identifier
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9630477
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Creator
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Klein, Esther E.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Dorothy G. Dologite
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Date
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1996
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Business Administration, Management | Information Science | Women's Studies
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Abstract
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This is interdisciplinary research on the impact of group support tools on information system idea generation by end-user groups. The goal is to explore the possibility of generating higher levels of creative and innovative solutions to information systems design challenges fostered by group support. This study further explores this issue in relation to the gender composition of the group. The research focus is on 3 "T's": tools, teams, and types of employees.;The purpose of this dissertation is to look at the role of group support tools and gender composition of the group in identifying innovative information systems ideas for competitive positioning of an organization. The following questions are posed: (1) What support strategies are optimal for generating innovative information system ideas by groups? (2) Is gender a factor when considering type of group support?;These questions were investigated in a 3 x 3 factorial design laboratory experiment with factors of: (1) group support tools; and (2) group gender composition. The group support tools include Creativity Support Software (such as Mind Link), Group Support System Software (like VisionQuest) and a control group using No Computer Software support utilized the Nominal Group Technique. Groups of all-male, all-female and mixed gender composition were studied.;In order to perform the experiment a realistic task involving an information system domain was used. The task required the proposal of a new system or an improvement to the current system at a restaurant like Denny's, Inc.;Information system solutions were evaluated for creativity and innovation by five independent expert judges. A thirteen item Creativity Evaluation Questionnaire was adapted from Lobert (1993) and Besemer and O'Quin (1987) to evaluate the generated ideas.;Using analyses of variance to test the hypotheses, it appears that when ideas are evaluated for novelty, computer group support is essential for mixed gender groups for the generation of innovative information system ideas. Same gender groups performed best when No Computer Software support was present. Results also indicate than when ideas generated are evaluated for usefulness, performance of groups with No Computer Software support was equal to the performance of groups with Group Support System Software support. Groups with Creativity Support Software performed the worst.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
