Article: Personality and persuasion in computer-mediated communication Journal: International Journal of Business and Systems Research (IJBSR) 2015 Vol.9 No.3 pp.255 - 272 Abstract: When a group faces a barrage of information pieces for a decision, persuasion is important for reaching a consensus. However, there is lack of related research in systems and technology domain regarding whether individuals characterised by having different personalities exhibit differences. To fill the gap, this work investigates the interactive impact of communication modes and personality on persuasion. Need-for-cognition, extraversion, and agreeableness are hypothesised to interact with use of face-to-face and text technology used in decision making to influence the process of persuasion. A task survival game featuring various pieces of information used in order to simulate the group decision environment. Based on the results, no significant interactions have been found for agreeableness or need-for-cognition. A group using text-based communication technology appears to be similarly effective in reaching a decision as using face-to-face in workspaces. Findings indicate that even though there is no significant change in persuasion based on extraversion in text communication mode, in face-to-face decision making mode, extraverted individuals are less persuaded. These findings provide practitioners with the necessary insights for improving the design of technology devices. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: Personality and persuasion in computer-mediated communication

Authors: Michael Yunon Chuang; Filiz Tabak

Addresses: School of Business, State University of New York, 1 Hawk Drive, New Paltz, NY 12561, USA ' College of Business and Economics, Towson University, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252, USA

Abstract: When a group faces a barrage of information pieces for a decision, persuasion is important for reaching a consensus. However, there is lack of related research in systems and technology domain regarding whether individuals characterised by having different personalities exhibit differences. To fill the gap, this work investigates the interactive impact of communication modes and personality on persuasion. Need-for-cognition, extraversion, and agreeableness are hypothesised to interact with use of face-to-face and text technology used in decision making to influence the process of persuasion. A task survival game featuring various pieces of information used in order to simulate the group decision environment. Based on the results, no significant interactions have been found for agreeableness or need-for-cognition. A group using text-based communication technology appears to be similarly effective in reaching a decision as using face-to-face in workspaces. Findings indicate that even though there is no significant change in persuasion based on extraversion in text communication mode, in face-to-face decision making mode, extraverted individuals are less persuaded. These findings provide practitioners with the necessary insights for improving the design of technology devices.

Keywords: communication modes; instant messaging; computer-mediated communication; CMC; persuasion; group decision making; personality; mobile technology; mobile device design; task survival games; simulation; need-for-cognition; extraversion; agreeableness; text-based communication; face-to-face communication; mobile communications.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBSR.2015.071839

International Journal of Business and Systems Research, 2015 Vol.9 No.3, pp.255 - 272

Received: 08 Aug 2014
Accepted: 09 May 2015
Published online: 19 Sep 2015 *

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Title: Personality and persuasion in computer-mediated communication

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