The Effect of Human-Computer Interchange Protocol on Decision Performance

• Published in: Journal of management information systems 1989-07, Vol.6 (1), p.5-20
• Main Authors: Hale, David P., Kasper, George M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Collaboration; collaborative human-computer systems; Computer applications; Computer systems; cooperative human-computer systems; decision performance; Decision support systems; Diplomatic protocol; Heuristics; Human computer interaction; Human-computer interchange protocols; human-computer interface design; Sequencing; Social interaction; Syntax
• ISSN: 0742-1222; 1557-928X
• DOI: 10.1080/07421222.1989.11517846

The concept of a collaborative human-computer interchange was proposed almost thirty years ago. The goal of this paradigm is to design human-computer decision-making systems that think and process information at a level exceeding that of either the human or the computer alone. Technological and conceptual developments have made this holistic partnership increasingly possible. Moreover, recent discussions of human-computer collaborative work have highlighted the system performance advantages of this interchange. In this paper, the notion of human-computer interchange protocols is developed and the importance of these protocols to human-computer collaboration and system performance is argued. Based on data collected in a laboratory setting, empirical support for the proposed holistic effect of human-computer interchange protocols on system performance is provided. Decision performance is significantly improved by interchange protocols that encourage human-computer interaction during the problem-solving process.