Authors
Raymond R. Panko & Richard P. Halverson
Abstract
To study the extent to which group development can reduce spreadsheet errors, an experiment compared error rates in spreadsheet development by subjects working alone (monads) and by subjects working in groups of three (triads).
Impressively, triads made 78% fewer errors than monads. However, this was not as large a reduction as nominal group analysis suggests was possible. Members of triads were satisfied with group development.
However, triads whose work went most smoothly, whose members were most satisfied with group interactions, and that had the loosest leadership structure were significantly more likely to make errors than other triads.
Sample
Our analysis suggests a revised research model for future work. It shows a likely connection between satisfaction and both acceptance and performance.
It also indicates that satisfaction may be a two-edged sword, making groupwork more acceptable but also tending to limit groupwork's error-reduction abilities.
Publication
2001, Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Volume 2, Number 4, July, pages 1-29
Full article
An experiment in collaborative development to reduce spreadsheet errors
