Teaming together apart: emergent patterns of media use in collaboration at a distance

Abstract

We examine the emergent patterns of media use in collaboration at a distance. Two teams working at a distance to complete a software specifications project were observed using a mix of email, Web archiving, synchronous chat and applications sharing. Extending media richness theory, we describe the multiplicity of communication situations these teams faced in terms of group management, interpersonal work, task work and tools/media issues. We suggest that despite differences between the teams in both performance, communication and situation, common patterns emerged in which each media type appeared to afford a distinct characteristic mix of communication. For both teams, email was dominated by exchanges on topics of group management; application-sharing/chat environments were dominated by exchanges over task work. Based on these results concerning emergent patterns of media use, we offer predictions concerning media use in collaboration at a distance and suggest some practical guidelines for those interested in supporting such work effectively.