Improving extreme-scale problem solving: assessing electronic brainstorming effectiveness in an industrial setting.
OBJECTIVE
An experiment was conducted to compare the effectiveness of individual versus group electronic brainstorming to address difficult, real-world challenges.


BACKGROUND
Although industrial reliance on electronic communications has become ubiquitous, empirical and theoretical understanding of the bounds of its effectiveness have been limited. Previous research using short-term laboratory experiments have engaged small groups of students in answering questions irrelevant to an industrial setting. The present experiment extends current findings beyond the laboratory to larger groups of real-world employees addressing organization-relevant challenges during the course of 4 days.


METHODS
Employees and contractors at a national laboratory participated, either in a group setting or individually, in an electronic brainstorm to pose solutions to a real-world problem.


RESULTS
The data demonstrate that (for this design) individuals perform at least as well as groups in producing quantity of electronic ideas, regardless of brainstorming duration. However, when judged with respect to quality along three dimensions (originality, feasibility, and effectiveness), the individuals significantly (p < .05) outperformed the group.


CONCLUSIONS
When quality is used to benchmark success, these data indicate that work-relevant challenges are better solved by aggregating electronic individual responses rather than by electronically convening a group.


CONCLUSIONS
This research suggests that industrial reliance on electronic problem-solving groups should be tempered, and large nominal groups may be more appropriate corporate problem-solving vehicles.
Dornburg
Courtney C
CC
Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800 MS 0830, Albuquerque, NM 87185-0830, USA. ccdornb@sandia.gov
Stevens
Susan M
SM
Hendrickson
Stacey M L
SM
Davidson
George S
GS
D003195:Computer Communication Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000379:methods*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011340:Problem Solving