Influences of Electronical Communication Tool on Creative Process

Abstract

This study explored the influences of electronic communication tool (e-sticky-note) on creative process and performance. The results showed that participants' self-evaluation of the team process was lower for almost all items in the e-sticky-note session than in the paper-sticky-note session. The reason for this was the heavy load placed on the participants due to their unfamiliarity with the operation and the lack of functionality of the equipment. However, the objective amount of communication and the creative performance assessed by third party were not at different levels between the e- and paper- sticky-note, but rather differed greatly by group. The finding that self-evaluation of process did not always relate with objective activities and outcomes suggests the importance of using not only the self-evaluation of the parties involved, but also the evaluation of process and outcomes by objective measurement when introducing new electronic communication tools.