A Comparison of Audio-Conferencing and Computer Conferencing in a Dispersed Negotiation Setting

Author(s):  
Abbas Foroughi ◽  
William C. Perkins ◽  
Leonard M. Jessup

The growing globalization of business is making face-to-face communications, decision-making, and negotiations more the exception than the rule. Internet communication in text-only, audio, and video form are all becoming feasible methods of communication between distantly located parties. However, in order for these new technologies to be used most effectively, more investigation is needed into the impact of various media on decision-making, such as that in negotiation. In particular, negotiators need to have a means of choosing the most appropriate communication medium, based on the amount of richness inherent in the medium, for the particular task at hand. This paper presents the results of an empirical study to examine the effectiveness of a computerized negotiation support system (NSS) in supporting bargaining carried out in a dispersed, but synchronous setting. In the study, pairs of college students, using the NSS, participated in a simulated industrial bargaining scenario that tested the impact of communication media employed and level of conflict on contract outcomes and negotiator attitudes. The subjects, located in separate rooms, played the roles of buyer and seller engaged in negotiations either by telephone (audio-conferencing) or Lotus Notes (computer conferencing). In both low and high conflict, the efficiency aspects of audio-conferencing — a richer medium in which more communication can take place more quickly — overshadowed any negative social cues transmitted.

Author(s):  
Abbas Foroughi ◽  
William Perkins ◽  
Leonard M. Jessup

The growing globalization of business is making face-to-face communications, decision-making, and negotiations more the exception than the rule. Internet communication in text-only, audio, and video form are all becoming feasible methods of communication between distantly located parties. However, in order for these new technologies to be used most effectively, more investigation is needed into the impact of various media on decision-making, such as that in negotiation. In particular, negotiators need to have a means of choosing the most appropriate communication medium, based on the amount of richness inherent in the medium, for the particular task at hand. This paper presents the results of an empirical study to examine the effectiveness of a computerized negotiation support system (NSS) in supporting bargaining carried out in a dispersed, but synchronous setting. In the study, pairs of college students, using the NSS, participated in a simulated industrial bargaining scenario that tested the impact of communication media employed and level of conflict on contract outcomes and negotiator attitudes. The subjects, located in separate rooms, played the roles of buyer and seller engaged in negotiations either by telephone (audio-conferencing) or Lotus Notes (computer conferencing). In both low and high conflict, the efficiency aspects of audio-conferencing — a richer medium in which more communication can take place more quickly — overshadowed any negative social cues transmitted.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Constantina Costopoulou ◽  
Maria Ntaliani ◽  
Filotheos Ntalianis

Local governments are increasingly developing electronic participation initiatives, expecting citizen involvement in local community affairs. Our objective was to assess e-participation and the extent of its change in local government in Greece. Using content analysis for 325 Greek municipal websites, we assessed e-participation status in 2017 and 2018 and examined the impact of change between these years. The assessment regards two consecutive years since the adoption of digital technologies by municipalities has been rapid. The main findings show that Greek local governments have made significant small- to medium-scale changes, in order to engage citizens and local societies electronically. We conclude that the integration of advanced digital technologies in municipalities remains underdeveloped. We propose that Greek municipalities need to consider incorporating new technologies, such as mobile apps, social media and big data, as well as e-decision making processes, in order to eliminate those obstacles that hinder citizen engagement in local government. Moreover, the COVID-19 outbreak has highlighted the need for enhancing e-participation and policymakers’ coordination through advanced digital technologies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 13-23
Author(s):  
Emin Qerim Neziraj ◽  
Aferdita Berisha Shaqiri

Before the decision makers set much higher requirements in the decision-making than ever before due to the environment of decision-makers subject to change under the influence of progress and development of new technologies, networking individual or organization inside and the outside environment, and modern means of communication enabling continuous inflow, flow and sharing of data and information. In these modern conditions the process of collecting, analyzing, selecting data and information to make informed decisions in the context of possible restrictions and the available options, and ultimately making decisions as the basis for future business or behavior, is not simplified. The use of new technologies in the decision-making process provided numerous opportunities to facilitate decisions selection. However, the decision maker should still be able to differentiate which knowledge should be used to serve in decision making, and which models, methods, tools, systems, and procedures to be used in certain situations, with the purpose of successful decision selection. In this paper, we will examine the decision making process during the business process of the companies in Kosovo.


Science ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 350 (6266) ◽  
pp. 1397-1397
Author(s):  
R. Rosenquist Brandell ◽  
O. Kallioniemi ◽  
A. Wedell

Author(s):  
E. V. Elnikova

The article deals with issues related to the exercise of the right to participate in the General meeting of participants (shareholders) of economic companies through the use of digital technologies. The Russian corporate legislation provides for the possibility of voting at the General meeting using electronic means. The conclusion is made that it is necessary to expand the dispositive regulation, which provides corporations with more opportunities to determine the directions necessary for them to implement new technologies. The advantages of using electronic voting forms in joint-stock companies with a large number of shareholders are considered. The risks associated with the use of digital technologies when voting at the General meeting are highlighted. Attention is drawn to the need to develop ways to ensure the evidence base for the Commission member of the Corporation’s actions by voting in electronic form. It was suggested that the introduction of digital technologies in the voting procedures at the General meeting of participants (shareholders) leads to a gradual leveling of the differences between decision-making in face-to-face and absentee voting.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 397-407
Author(s):  
Luigi Palestini

In emergencies, assessment and communication activities are particularly important for the support of the top decision-making bodies, to evaluate “just in time” the best actions to be taken. The multiple problems to be solved require specific skills in different areas. Upon the occurrence of a calamity, the authorities must answer questions such as “is a given place safe from the threat (e.g., an oncoming flood)?”, that’s why today knowledge of tools that can support decision-making is increasingly necessary: the so-called Decision Support Systems (DSS), software that allow users to improve situation assessment, helping all those who must make strategic decisions. Hand in hand with the growing interest in DSS there is an increasing use of communication systems based on IT. First responders know that to face an emergency everything must be prepared and planned, also communication. In fact, DSS and voice/data transmission systems are often integrated into a single system, as proposed by the European projects FIRE IN and IN PREP, because managing information is crucial for carrying out rescue activities in the best possible way. This work describes the impact of new technologies on rescue and emergency management in Italy and Europe, highlighting the challenges associated with their use.


2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-141 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin H. Cerri ◽  
Martin Knapp ◽  
Jose-Luis Fernandez

AbstractThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) provides guidance to the National Health Service (NHS) in England and Wales on funding and use of new technologies. This study examined the impact of evidence, process and context factors on NICE decisions in 2004–2009. A data set of NICE decisions pertaining to pharmaceutical technologies was created, including 32 variables extracted from published information. A three-category outcome variable was used, defined as the decision to ‘recommend’, ‘restrict’ or ‘not recommend’ a technology. With multinomial logistic regression, the relative contribution of explanatory variables on NICE decisions was assessed. A total of 65 technology appraisals (118 technologies) were analysed. Of the technologies, 27% were recommended, 58% were restricted and 14% were not recommended by NICE for NHS funding. The multinomial model showed significant associations (p ⩽ 0.10) between NICE outcome and four variables: (i) demonstration of statistical superiority of the primary endpoint in clinical trials by the appraised technology; (ii) the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER); (iii) the number of pharmaceuticals appraised within the same appraisal; and (iv) the appraisal year. Results confirm the value of a comprehensive and multivariate approach to understanding NICE decision making. New factors affecting NICE decision making were identified, including the effect of clinical superiority, and the effect of process and socio-economic factors.


TEM Journal ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1395-1403
Author(s):  
Mohammad Musa Al-Momani ◽  
Olga PILLI

This study explored the effectiveness of Blended Learning, hereafter (BL) on students’ academic achievement, interaction and satisfaction in higher education. The Integrated M-Learning and ELearning system, (IMELS) was utilized on a sample of students (n = 52) who attended Artificial Intelligent course at a large urban college in Jordan. The pretest/ post-test design was used to investigate the students’ academic achievement, interaction and satisfaction. ANOVA test was conducted to compare the achievement scores between the BL with IMELS group and face-to-face learning group. The post-test revealed a significant difference between the two groups in favour of the treatment group. Findings also showed that interaction types were positively associated with satisfaction of the students exposed to the IMELS in favour of learner-instructor interaction. This study has contributed to a better understanding of new technologies like IMELS in BL environment, which can affect positively the students' academic achievement, interactions and their satisfaction.


2014 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali H. Al-Badi ◽  
Wafa S. Al-Qayoudhi

Web 2.0 technologies have become effective tools in recent years, being used by people everywhere for everything. One of the most effective types of Web 2.0 technology is online social networks. Social networks, like Facebook and Twitter, are being used in communication and for building social capital between people. However, they have become important tools in the business world, and business people have realized that social networks are applicable tools in their daily business tasks. There is a belief that social networking and social media are going to transform peoples live styles, change their cultures, revolutionize communication, and reform the existing business models. From this standpoint, this research investigates and attempts to understand the adoption of social networks in business. This research raises three main questions: 1) What is the impact of utilizing social networks in business?, 2) How does business increase opportunities by adopting social networks?, and 3) What are the obstacles that discourage certain organizations from utilizing social networks in their business? The main theoretical objectives of this research are to investigate and explore the opportunities and reasons behind adopting social networks in business, to investigate the impacts of social networks on business and what the consequences are for individual businesses, and to discover the reasons which are preventing certain businesses from adopting social networks. In order to achieve the researchs objectives about 130 questionnaires were distributed to different private organizations in Oman. Some of the initial findings of this exploratory study are that the majority of organizations that participated fall into the services category; 57% of the respondents have face-to-face meetings as well as online/email to communicate with their customers, and 81% of these organizations allow their employees to access/browse the Internet during working hours; 31% of the organizations said that the main gain from utilizing social networking is to encourage and empower employees to discuss ideas, post news, ask questions, and share links; 62% of the organizations agreed that one of the obstacles preventing them from adopting social networking is the lack of quantifiable business benefits. This study is expected to help businesses that are trying to gain competitive advantage by deploying these new technologies and ideas for the enhancement of their operations.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raphael Schuster ◽  
Raffaela Pokorny ◽  
Thomas Berger ◽  
Naira Topooco ◽  
Anton-Rupert Laireiter

BACKGROUND Web-based and blended (face-to-face plus Web-based) interventions for mental health disorders are gaining significance. However, many licensed psychotherapists still have guarded attitudes toward computer-assisted therapy, hindering dissemination efforts. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to provide a therapist-oriented evaluation of Web-based and blended therapies and identify commonalities and differences in attitudes toward both formats. Furthermore, it aimed to test the impact of an information clip on expressed attitudes. METHODS In total, 95 Austrian psychotherapists were contacted and surveyed via their listed occupational email address. An 8-minute information video was shown to half of the therapists before 19 advantages and 13 disadvantages had to be rated on a 6-point Likert scale. RESULTS The sample resembled all assessed properties of Austrian psychotherapists (age, theoretical orientation, and region). Therapists did not hold a uniform overall preference. Instead, perceived advantages of both interventions were rated as neutral (t94=1.89, P=.06; d=0.11), whereas Web-based interventions were associated with more disadvantages and risks (t94=9.86, P<.001; d=0.81). The information clip did not excerpt any detectable effect on therapists’ attitudes (r95=−.109, P=.30). The application of modern technologies in the own therapeutic practice and cognitive behavioral orientation were positively related to the given ratings. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to directly compare therapists’ attitudes toward Web-based and blended therapies. Positive attitudes play a pivotal role in the dissemination of new technologies, but unexperienced therapists seem to lack knowledge on how to benefit from technology-aided treatments. To speed up implementation, these aspects need to be addressed in the development of new interventions. Furthermore, the preference of blended treatments over Web-based interventions seems to relate to avoidance of risks. Although this study is likely to represent therapists’ attitudes in countries with less advanced electronic health services, therapists’ attitudes in more advanced countries might present differently.


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