The impact of e-conferencing applications on business travel decision making: a qualitative enquiry
Date
2010
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Business travel has been steadily decreasing for several years in the United States.
Meanwhile, the adoption of e-conferencing technology has dramatically increased since
2007. Although the decline in travel has been largely attributed to economic factors, the
role and impact of e-conferencing on business travel has never been investigated in either
the trade press or academic literature. Based on a literature review, four major econferencing
formats were identified—audio conferencing, web conferencing, video
conferencing, and total virtual conferencing. This study explored the impact of econferencing
on business travel decision-making. A qualitative, multiple-case study
approach using a set of six interviewees from different sectors of industry was deployed.
One managerial level person from each firm was interviewed using a semi-structured
questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed and subsequently analyzed using Atlas.ti.
Grounded theory and the narrative research method were applied in the data analysis
process. In terms of the use of e-conferencing, three major themes were identified from
the transcripts, namely Usage, Cost, and Interaction. Both positive and negative attributes
under each theme were discussed. The findings illustrated that the positive attributes of econferencing,
such as ease of use and cost efficiency, drive people to adopt it. The
economic downturn as well as budget cuts have forced corporations to switch to virtual
alternatives to business travel. In addition, when it comes to choosing a conferencing
format, different types of meetings had different needs, based on the purpose of each meeting. The category of industry and the individual’s work function were also important
determinants in selecting conferencing format. In the short term, especially in an
economic downturn, e-conferencing can substitute for business travel. However, in the
long term, e-conferencing will serve as a complement to business travel. The results of
this study will benefit e-conferencing solution/service providers, e-conferencing users,
and academics.