Paper Info
Title
An agent-based model of the impact of computer-mediated communication on organizational culture and performance: an example of the application of complex systems analysis tools to the study of CIS
Abstract
Organizations that make use of computer information systems (CIS) are prototypical complex adaptive systems (CAS). This paper shows how an approach from Complexity Science, exploratory agent-based modeling (ABM), can be used to study the impact of two different modes of use of computer-mediated communication (CMC) on organiza- tional culture (OC) and performance. The ABM includes stylized representations of (1) agents communicating with other agents to complete tasks; (b) an OC consisting of the distribution of agent traits, changing as agents communicate; (c) the effect of OC on communication effectiveness (CE), and (d) the effect of CE on task completion times, that is, performance. If CMC is used in a broad mode, that is, to contact and collaborate with many, new agents, the development of a strong OC is slowed, leading to decreased CE and poorer performance early on. If CMC is used in a local mode, repeatedly contacting the same agents, a strong OC develops rapidly, leading to increased CE and high performance early on. However, if CMC is used in a broad mode over longer time periods, a strong OC can develop over a wider set of agents, leading to an OC that is stronger than an OC which develops with local CMC use. Thus broad use of CMC results in overall CE and performance that is higher than is generated by local use of CMC. We also discuss how the dynamics generated by an ABM can lead to a deeper understanding of the behavior of a CAS, for example, allowing us to better design empirical longitudinal studies.
Year
DOI
Venue
2006
10.1057/palgrave.jit.2000078
JIT
Keywords
Field
DocType
computer-mediated communication,organizational culture,organizational communication,agent-based modeling,network stability,accounting information systems,complex system,information management system,geographic information systems,information systems technology,business model,computer mediated communication,information security,soft system methodology,information technology,health information systems,management science,information science,information system,information systems management,management information systems,business information systems,computer information systems,complex adaptive system,computer information technology,information management,jit,strategic information systems
Information system,Management information systems,Agent-based model,Simulation,Computer science,Organizational communication,Knowledge management,Human–computer interaction,Computer-mediated communication,Complex adaptive system,Strategic information system
Journal
Volume
Issue
ISSN
21
4
1466-4437
Citations 
PageRank 
References 
7
0.47
15
Authors
2
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Enrique Canessa1339.82
Rick L. Riolo256364.22