A study of group support systems and the intergroup setting

In this study, we explore the supporting role of group support systems (GSS) in organizational workgroups that involve groups of distinct social identities. Intergroup processes become relevant and prevalent in such workgroups and trigger new issues. Anonymity is an important feature of GSS that concerns social influence in the intergroup setting. We report on the results of an experiment consisting of 20 workgroups. The enforcement of common fate and its impact on social influence are also examined. Our findings provide preliminary indication of the usefulness of GSS in the intergroup setting of organizational workgroups.