1 Effectiveness of Six Electronic Meeting Systems Perspectives from Qualitative Methods of Inquiry

The purpose of this study was to study the effectiveness of six electronic meeting systems (EMS). Results of qualitative methods of inquiry are reported. The larger study used mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry) to compare 26 validated effectiveness factors clustered under 6 constructs for 6 meeting venues: face to face without Electronic Meeting Systems (EMS); face to face with EMS; teleconferenced with EMS; webcam with EMS; asynchronous web with EMS and synchronous web with EMS. The theoretical underpinning for the study is based on McAlister-Kizzier et. al. constructs (2002) and Briggs Groupware Grid (1994). For the larger study, published elsewhere, validated online survey instruments and qualitatative methods were administered in a senior-level Business course as part of a learning activity. Conclusions and recommendations inform future research. Theoretical Grounding Several studies reported EMS can improve the effectiveness of meetings, support information access, and radically change group dynamics by improving communication, (Nunamaker et. al., in Coleman, 1995; Nunamaker et. al. 1997). Advantages of EMS include imposition of more structure, increased participation, automatic recording of comments and votes, and the ability to accomplish more in less time than traditional meetings. The ultimate result improves group satisfaction and enables larger groups to meet, thereby enhancing the knowledge informing decisions (Aiken & Govindarajulu, 1995). Burdett (2000) concluded EMS has the potential to overcome barriers to women’s equal participation in mixed gender meetings, thereby increasing satisfaction and effectiveness for women. Previous research by McAlister-Kizzier, et. al. (2002) extracted six constructs from EMS research. I