Using Internet-Based, Distributed Collaborative Writing Tools to Improve Coordination and Group Awareness in Writing Teams

IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication (IEEETPC), Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 277-297, 2003

22 Pages Posted: 14 Feb 2005 Last revised: 2 Aug 2014

See all articles by Paul Benjamin Lowry

Paul Benjamin Lowry

Virginia Tech - Pamplin College of Business

Jay F. Nunamaker

University of Arizona - Center for the Management of Information (CMI)

Abstract

This paper argues for using specialized collaborative writing (CW) tools to improve the results of distributed, internet-based writing teams. The key features of collaborative tools that support enhanced coordination and group awareness are compared to existing writing tools. The first internet-based CW tool, Collaboratus, is introduced, and its group features are compared with those of Microsoft Word. Next, theoretical propositions, hypotheses, and constructs are formulated to predict outcomes of distributed groups that use CW tools. A four-week-long synchronous-distributed experiment then compares the outcomes of Collaboratus and Word groups. Innovative measures show that Collaboratus groups generally experience better outcomes than Word groups, in terms of productivity, document quality, relationships, and communication, but not in terms of satisfaction.

The results buttress the conclusion that internet-based CW teams can benefit from specialized collaborative technologies that provide enhanced coordination, group awareness, and CW activity support.

Keywords: Collaborative writing (CW), distributed work, group awareness, group support systems, group writing, media richness theory

Suggested Citation

Lowry, Paul Benjamin and Nunamaker, Jay F., Using Internet-Based, Distributed Collaborative Writing Tools to Improve Coordination and Group Awareness in Writing Teams. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication (IEEETPC), Vol. 46, No. 4, pp. 277-297, 2003 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=666125

Paul Benjamin Lowry (Contact Author)

Virginia Tech - Pamplin College of Business ( email )

1016 Pamplin Hall
Blacksburg, VA 24061
United States

Jay F. Nunamaker

University of Arizona - Center for the Management of Information (CMI) ( email )

McClelland Hall 202
P.O. Box 210108
Tucson, AZ 85721-0108
United States

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