Zoomication: The New Normal?: Observations and experiences in the light of Covid in 2020

This article published in the journal Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) considers the possible impact of video conferences on communication processes in non-profit organizations and commercial companies, as well as the potential of related psychological effects on individual staff members. The author's reflections and conclusions are based on the underlying assumption that the increasing use of communication tools such as Zoom (a phenomenon labeled Zoomication) is leading to changes in the social behavior of staff members-changes that affect not only the communication patterns but also the self-perception of individuals. The absence of physical presence in communication processes leads to not only an objectification of verbal interaction as well as a lack of trust and social connection, but also an inordinate focus on appearance, due to extensive (self)-observation in the computer screen during video meetings. Moreover, hierarchical traditions, traditionally signaled by dress codes and non-verbal behavior, are challenged by the new format. Drawing on a data corpus grounded in informal research and interviews with informants from commercial organizations and non-profits, the article evaluates the benefits and risks Zoom-style conferences as a new main medium of communication from the perspective of employees and project leaders. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (German) Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) beschreibt die Auswirkungen von Videokonferenzen auf Kommunikationsprozesse in verschiedenen Organisationen und Unternehmen und ihre psychische Verarbeitung bei den Beteiligten. Es wird die These verfolgt, dass die zunehmende Verwendung von Kommunikationstools wie Zoom zu Veranderungen des Sozialverhaltens der beteiligten Akteur*innen fuhrt und Auswirkungen auf Kommunikationspotenziale und individuelle Selbstwahrnehmung hat. Die Unkorperlichkeit des hier als Zoomication beschriebenen Prozesses fuhrt, neben der oft konstatierten Versachlichung von Besprechungen auf Kosten von Bindung und Vertrauen, auch zu einer Fokussierung auf asthetische Gesichtspunkte. Daruber hinaus werden traditionelle hierarchische Gegebenheiten in Frage gestellt. Basierend auf einem Corpus informeller Untersuchungen und Befragungen erfolgt eine Abwagung von Kosten und Nutzen von Zoom-Konferenzen als Hauptmedium der neuen Normalitat", sowohl aus der Perspektive der Angestellten wie der Projektverantwortlichen. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)

Individual and Situational Factors Influencing Active Behavior in Professional Video Conferences With Strangers

Since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of video conferences in professional settings increased rapidly. Here, we examine how individual and situational characteristics jointly predict active behavior in video conferences (i.e., activating one's webcam, small talk, contacting other attendees) between strangers. We focus on external networking as well as proactive and reactive online networking and social anxiety as individual characteristics and investigate how these interact with social norms (operationalized as proportion of other attendees using the webcam), in predicting our outcome variable active video conference behavior. An online vignette experiment with three conditions (social norms: 25 vs. 75% of other attendees using the webcam vs. offline) was conducted to analyze the self-reported likelihood of active video conference versus active offline behavior. Regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. Results indicate that external networking is a positive and social anxiety a negative predictor of self-reported active video conference behavior. Furthermore, the likelihood of engaging in active (video conference) behavior differed between the three scenarios, with highest values in the offline scenario and lowest in the online scenario with only 25% of other attendees using the webcam. However, no interaction effects of social norms with social anxiety were found. Overall, the findings suggest that individual differences in networking tendencies and social anxiety and social norms influence active behavior in video conferences independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Social Science Computer Review is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Understanding "Zoom fatigue": A mixed-method approach

Video conference meetings, which became frequent during the COVID-19 pandemic, might result in exhaustion (so-called "Zoom fatigue"). However, only little is known about "Zoom fatigue," the objective characteristics shaping it, and the subjective experiences eliciting this phenomenon. Gaining this knowledge is critical for understanding work life during the pandemic. Study 1, a within-person quantitative investigation, tested whether video conferences are exhausting and if objective characteristics (i.e. meeting size, meeting duration, and the presence of the supervisor) moderate "Zoom fatigue". Employees from Germany and Israel (N = 81) participated in a 2-week study, with meetings nested within persons (n = 988). Results showed that video conferences are exhausting-more than meetings held through other media. However, objective characteristics did not moderate this relationship. In Study 2, qualitative data from Germany and Israel (N = 53) revealed employees' subjective experiences in video conferences that may lead to "Zoom fatigue". These include, for example, experiences of loss and comparison with the "good old times" before the pandemic. Employees suggested ways to mitigate "Zoom fatigue," particularly, better management of meetings by leaders. Our results provide empirical support for "Zoom fatigue" and suggest which subjective experiences elicit this phenomenon, opening directions for research and practice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)

Understanding “Zoom fatigue”: A mixed‐method approach: International Review of Applied Psychology

Video conference meetings, which became frequent during the COVID‐19 pandemic, might result in exhaustion (so‐called “Zoom fatigue”). However, only little is known about “Zoom fatigue,” the objective characteristics shaping it, and the subjective experiences eliciting this phenomenon. Gaining this knowledge is critical for understanding work life during the pandemic. Study 1, a within‐person quantitative investigation, tested whether video conferences are exhausting and if objective characteristics (i.e. meeting size, meeting duration, and the presence of the supervisor) moderate “Zoom fatigue”. Employees from Germany and Israel (N = 81) participated in a 2‐week study, with meetings nested within persons (n = 988). Results showed that video conferences are exhausting—more than meetings held through other media. However, objective characteristics did not moderate this relationship. In Study 2, qualitative data from Germany and Israel (N = 53) revealed employees' subjective experiences in video conferences that may lead to “Zoom fatigue”. These include, for example, experiences of loss and comparison with the “good old times” before the pandemic. Employees suggested ways to mitigate “Zoom fatigue,” particularly, better management of meetings by leaders. Our results provide empirical support for “Zoom fatigue” and suggest which subjective experiences elicit this phenomenon, opening directions for research and practice.

When international academic conferences go virtual.

This study investigates the extent to which international academic conferences changes format to virtual when faced by sudden Covid-19 related immobility. Data on 587 conferences in the fields of business, economics, information technology, management and other social sciences that were planned to be held between March and August 2020 are retrieved from authorised conference listings. Approximately 28% of the conferences changed to virtual format during the period of time studied. Probit estimations reveal that the probability of changing format to virtual increases with the country of location (United States), planning horizon and the available quality of broadband infrastructure in the scheduled conference country. However, the role of planning horizon differs across fields and location of the conference. The probability of virtual conferences is highest in the United States and for academic conferences in the field of information technology.