ANOTHER MEETING? - Kommunikationens betydelse för upplevelsen av digitala och analoga möten

Abstract

This study examines the feelings of frustration and meaningfulness in regard to work meetings with a special focus on communication. Further on, it examines if these experiences vary depending on the meeting format as digital or in-person. Prior research in this area suggests that meetings are associated with feelings of frustration for a number of reasons: for losing focus, for participants not listening to each other and for dominating the discussion. Additionally, since previous studies focused on either physical or digital meetings, we were prompted to shed more light on the comparison between the two, and their role for communication and feelings of frustration and meaningfulness. The method used in this study to collect data is semi-structured interviews with 9 respondents from 9 different companies. The interviews were later transcribed, coded and analyzed into themes. The result showed that communication felt meaningful when it was used in a respectful, structured, professional, friendly and inclusive manner. Positive experiences of communication had a direct impact on the quality of the meeting, no matter its form. Regarding feelings of frustration, our study’s participants pointed to causes such as lack of democratic values, inefficient time-management as well as limited access to non verbal cues and body language. Additionally, participants' experience of meeting communication can be determined by the level of leadership skills, the perceived importance of the meeting, as well as the felt necessity of attending the meeting. This study concludes that meeting interfaces should be selected based upon the complexity of the meeting. One-way, informational meetings, for example, should be organized online due to their trouble-free nature. However, face-to-face interaction is preferred when communicating complex issues, as it is considered more facilitating to well-functioning discussion.