ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the development of one modest technology, electronic brainstorming (EBS), with particular emphasis on the interplay of theory and practice. During the 1980s, continuing efforts were made in a number of groups to harness the power of networked microcomputers to improving the productivity of the group meeting. A variety of combinations of face-to-face discussion, individual computer-supported work, and shared communication technologies were explored. EBS is popular among participants in electronic meetings, and it certainly leads to the generation of a lot of ideas. Electronic interaction overcomes production blocking, the primary liability of the interacting group. The chapter reviews the development of nonelectronic brainstorming research over a period of 20 years or so immediately preceding early EBS technology. Alex Osborn's claim was that groups using his brainstorming technique would generate more, and more original, ideas than would those using other, more conventional techniques. The technique appears to have enjoyed a steady popularity in managerial practice and management textbooks.
