Michael T. Vanecek

Dispersed group decision making using nonsimultaneous computer conferencing: a report of research

Abstract:A quasi-experiment was conducted in the field to compare the decisionmaking process for groups using a nonsimultaneous computer conferencing (ncc) system with similar groups using face-to-face (ftf) communication. Groups of five participants performed group decision making using a general knowledge task. Group members searched for the solution by sharing information and generating alternatives. The participants were professional workers from several different organizations.The results of the study suggest that groups using the ncc system were significantly less effective than ftf groups in solving the problem. Nccs shared less information, were less comprehensive in considering all aspects of the decision-making task, and made less progress toward the perceived decision goal.

Critical success factors in data management

Abstract The purpose of this exploratory study was to determine the critical success factors (CSFs) of data and database administration functions. A field survey was made in 16 large corporations of information systems executives who were identified as having a key role and interest in data management issues. Several important data and database administration factors were identified. Of these, three were found to be CSFs for data administration and four were found to be CSFs for database administration. Two overlapped both areas. The overlapping factors had to be considered from both a technical and organizational perspective.

Computer conferencing and task-oriented decisions: implications for group decision support

Abstract An experiment was used to compare the impact of two very different communication modes during task-oriented group decision making activities. Subjects completed a task-oriented decision making activity using either face-to-face (simultaneous) or computer conferencing (nonsimultaneous) communication modes. Each subject had insufficient task information. Hence, subjects had to share task information for the group to reach a decision. The study used a temporal theoretical framework. The independent variable was communications mode. The temporal dependent and intervening variables consisted of the amount of information shared; the significance and comprehensiveness of the shared information; and, perception of progress made towards goal and freedom to participate. Communication quality was the outcome dependent variable. Data collection consisted of tape recorded sessions, computer generated transcripts, task questionnaires, and interviews.

A nonsimultaneous computer conference as a component of group decision support systems

A field experiment was conducted to study dispersed group decision-making using a nonsimultaneous computer conference (NCC) group decision support system (GDSS). The decision-making processes for groups using NCC was compared with similar groups using face-to-face communication. The experiment used a general-knowledge decision-making task. Group members searched for an optimal solution by sharing information and generating alternatives. Multivariate analysis of variance results were significant at the p<0.03 level. Univariate tests of significance for each dependent variable indicated that with NCCs less information was shared, groups were less comprehensive in considering all aspects of the decision-making task, and less progress toward the decision goal was perceived to exist.<<ETX>>

Security issues on the internet

The Internet is a collection of networks originally paid for by the U.S. Department of Defense. Its purpose was to provide a communications infrastructure more resilient to attack than the public communications channels in the event of war. When research became a priority in the 1960s and 1970s, money was given to the National Science Foundation, which became the de facto administrator of the network. The NSF ran the primary arteries of the Internet until the late 1980s. A substantial amount of funding was later added by the U.S. Congress when it decided to include the federal supercomputing facilities in the Internet. As universities tied into the network, they would pay to link a particular network, such as the Bitnet, with the Internet. [2]

Computer-supported collaborative work and its application to software engineering

From the inception of software development, computer professionals have been searching for ways 10 produce quality systems while simultaneously reducing time and monetary expenditures. Three techniques being examined in the t%rtherance of this goal are teamwork, computer supported cooperative work (CSCW), and computerassisted software engineering (CASE). Through the utilization of each technique, the potential exists for improving productivity, quality, and the firm’s competitive position. Collectively, the combination of the three appears extremely promising and yet little is known about the effects of their integration.