structuration theory

Probably the greatest contribution of Poole's structuration theory is its application in group decision support systems (GDSS). Group members meet online, either synchronously or asynchronously. The software structures the decision-making process to promote a democratic approach. Contributions and voting are anonymous to allow for a freer exchange of ideas. The system is quite task oriented and designed based on Poole's notions of rules and resources. Poole and his associates were the first communication researchers to systematically examine the use of computer-mediated communication in small group work.

Griffin reports "Poole notes that group members sometimes appropriate rules or resources in ways that thwart their intended use. He calls this an ironic appropriation because it goes against the spirit of the structure" (p. 241). This notion of ironic appropriation fits well with my earlier discussion of the communication imperative. Rather than taking a deterministic view of technology, the idea of a communication imperative suggests that humans are wired to communicate with each other and will use the technology at their disposal to achieve their communicative goals. People don't just follow the rules--they make the rules, they change the rules, they discard the rules.

~ Professor Cyborg