A study of group support systems and the intergroup setting

The Implications of Stigma and Anonymity for Self-Disclosure in Health Blogs

“…Research on anonymity and minority influence in computer-mediated decision-making groups offers empirical evidence underscoring the utility of anonymity among individuals concerned with social sanctions. Relative to members in identified groups holding a minority opinion about a particular group decision, minority opining holders in anonymous groups have been shown to report greater satisfaction and conform less with their group (Lim & Guo, 2008) and offer more unshared information during group discussions (McLeod, Baron, Marti, & Yoon, 1997). Although holding a minority opinion in a decision-making group is different from stigma in important ways, the basic notion that anonymity encourages individuals to share information or maintain an unpopular position suggests that anonymity may buffer concerns with social sanctions associated with illness-related embarrassment.…”

Group Support Systems Features and Their Contribution to Technology Strategy Decision-Making: A Review and Analysis

“…Concerning the information being shared in regular and non-regular or role-assigned GSS meetings, Vathanophas and Liang [58] found that in the first, participants tend to use more commonly shared information while in the latter unique or individually held information are more shared to support collective knowledge homogenization of groups with different fields and levels of expertise. Minorities tend to experience greater uncertainty, greater conformity, lower satisfaction and produce lower quality decisions in groups that share common perceptions and beliefs and when non-anonymous communications are enabled [59].…”

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“…Can technology assist in overcoming the negative social influences that can thwart creativity in groups? A recent study indicates the usefulness of a group support system (GSS) in workgroups with distinct social identities (Lim & Guo, 2008). A GSS incorporates computer technology with communication and decision processes in support of group problem-solving and decision-making activities.…”