ABSTRACT
There is a significant body of research in the fields of social psychology and human factors comparing face-to-face (FF) communication with other forms of ‘mediated5 communication, in particular with the effects of computer mediated (CM) communication. Typical focus has been on identifying similarities and differences between FTF and CM in terms of communication process (richness and extent) and accuracy of outcome decision, etc. The present research is concerned less with these issues and more on the effect of CM communication in terms of the decision makers5 commitment to the eventual decision and post hoc support of the resultant action plan. Results indicate that significant differences emerge in terms of strength of decision ‘ownership5 and support for implementation, with a pattern of weaker ownership and support emerging from CM communication.
