Research On Relations Of Face-to-face And Computer-mediated Communication Modality, Conflict Strength, Satisfaction

With the development of information technology revolution, new media communication modality holds a dominant position in company. The virtual team and the virtualization of physical team add the dependence of new media communication technology. Team cohesion and team performance rely on the team confliction, so it is of great significance for managers to study traditional issues of conflict management in new media communication modality.This study aims to test the affection of new media communication modality on conflict strength and satisfaction of communication. A laboratory experiment was carried out comparing 8 groups of 4 members each, working over two communication media(4 groups FTF and 4 groups over CMC). Groups performed three types of tasks (generate tasks, intellective tasks, and mixed-motive tasks). Results obtained for the intellective tasks show that conflict strength in CMC is significantly higher than in FTF. Satisfaction of communication media in FTF is significantly higher than in CMC. There is negative correlation between conflict strength and satisfaction of communication media.