How Communication Modalities Can Impact Group Creativity in Multi-User Virtual Environments

PubDate: July 2015

Teams: Aix-Marseille University

Writers: Mathieu Forens；Nathalie Bonnardel；Marie-Laure Barbier

PDF: How Communication Modalities Can Impact Group Creativity in Multi-User Virtual Environments

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of communication modalities on creative performance of groups engaged in a brainstorming activity within a Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE). Prior studies are unclear about whether oral or written communication is the most advantageous to support creative activities within virtual teams and especially those who interact within MUVEs (Dennis & Williams, 2003; Paulus, 2000). In our research, 66 students were asked to perform a creative task in a MUVE, in groups of 3 people. The comparison of their performance, according to the communication modalities, suggests that oral communication triggers more numerous and original ideas.