Impact of video-mediated communication on simulated service encounters

The results are reported of three studies of collaborative problem-solving in a simulated travel agency where communication between travel agent and customers is supported by a videolink and shared multimedia tools. The video-mediated contexts (VMCs) were compared with face-to-face and audio-only interactions in terms of the success of the task outcome, the process of communication and decision making and user satisfaction. VMC did not deliver the same benefits as face-to-face interactions. The possible reasons for this are explored as well as the implications of the data for evaluation techniques.