@inproceedings{1d7d0ad773ab4bb6b8a63ee9a69c7c5b,
title = "Beyond being in the lab: Using multi-agent modeling to isolate competing hypotheses",
abstract = "In studies of virtual teams, it is difficult to determine pure effects of geographic isolation and uneven communication technology. We developed a multi-agent computer model in NetLogo to complement laboratory-based organizational simulations [3]. In the lab, favoritism among collocated team members (collocators) appeared to increase their performance. However, in the computer simulation, when controlled for communication delay, in-group favoritism had a detrimental effect on the performance of collocators. This suggested that the advantage of collocators shown in the lab was due to synchronous communication, not favoritism. The canceling-out effects of in-group bias and communication delay explained why many studies did not see performance difference between collocated and remote team members. The multi-agent modeling in this case proved its value by both clarifying previous laboratory findings and guiding design of future experiments.",
keywords = "Computer supported cooperative work, Computer-mediated communication, In-group favoritism, Multiagent modeling, Virtual team",
author = "Ning Nan and Johnston, {Erik W.} and Olson, {Judith S.} and Nathan Bos",
year = "2005",
doi = "10.1145/1056808.1056999",
language = "English (US)",
isbn = "1595930027",
series = "Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - Proceedings",
pages = "1693--1696",
booktitle = "CHI'05 Extended Abstracts on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA'05",
note = "Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, CHI EA 2005 ; Conference date: 02-04-2005 Through 07-04-2005",
}