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Martin Eppler
Title
Prof. Dr.
Last Name
Eppler
First name
Martin
Email
martin.eppler@unisg.ch
Phone
+41 71 224 2297
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1 - 10 of 256
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PublicationThe collaborative dimensions of argument maps: A socio-visual approachThis paper examines the collaborative use of visual argument maps in the context of argument production in organizations. Argument maps are highly multimodal, as their use involves the combination of diagrams, text elements, as well as spoken statements. In this theoretical piece, we apply a Collaborative Dimensions framework to argument maps that can be used to better design, understand, evaluate, and use argument maps in collaborative settings for decision making purposes. Specifically, our conceptual framework – derived from interdisciplinary perspectives – takes into consideration how the visual dimensions of argument maps have a bearing on the social interactions of people involved in a complex argumentation process. We posit that cognitive dimensions of argument maps need to be enriched with additional communicative and collaborative dimensions in order to foster a more widespread adoption of argument mapping in organizational decision making. In our socio-visual approach to argument mapping, we thus distinguish the following seven dimensions: Visual Insight, Outcome Clarity, Directed Focus, Perceived Finishedness, Visual Appeal, Content Modifiability, and Collaboration Support. We illustrate the use of the framework as an evaluation tool and analyze three different approaches to argument mapping with the help of the seven dimensions. In this way, the framework can be used to improve collaborative argument mapping. Our contribution thus lies in proposing an interdisciplinary and theoretically grounded set of factors to augment the quality of argument maps, both from a process and a results perspective. In this manner we hope to contribute to the theory of argumentation through the rich notion of “collaborative dimensions,” as well as further the practice of collaborative argument production through a more reflective and systematic use of interactive argument visualization.Type: journal articleJournal: SemioticaVolume: 220
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PublicationStrategizing for social change in nonprofit contexts: A typology of communication approaches in public communication campaigns( 2018)
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PublicationWe walk the line: Icons provisional appearances on virtual whiteboards trigger elaborative dialogue and creativityCollaborative groupwork is a key creativity tool in industry. Digital Creativity Support Systems (CSS) have become a critical catalyst of distributed creative processes. Under laboratory conditions, this interaction design study uses an experiment to investigate the impact of apparent icon finishedness as a social affordance for elaborative dialogue, and enhanced creativity. The experiment examines the idea generation processes of 37 pairs of active managers using a synchronous CSS. Apparent finishedness is a purely presentational factor - it is completely separate from the actual substance of an idea. The results show that presenting ideas with icons made of sketchy natural lines with low perceived finishedness encourages elaborative dialogue and creativity. Low perceived finishedness icons functioned as a social affordance - they afforded the social behaviour of building upon each other’s ideas as well as more creative idea generation. This is the first study to quantitatively examine the perceived finishedness of icons. This study shows that minor changes in visual treatments significantly impact creative processes and outcomes. As co-constructive interaction is central to many collaborative behaviours across working and learning, this study has clear implications for the subtle encouragement of co-construction in computer-mediated communication.Type: journal articleJournal: Computers in Human BehaviorVolume: 63
Scopus© Citations 17 -
PublicationUnderstanding the Impact of Visual Representation Restrictiveness on Experience Sharing: an Experimental AssessmentThis study investigates the effects of the restrictiveness of visuals on the communication process and outcome in small groups. Visual restrictiveness is conceived as the constraints imposed by a graphic template on the process of knowledge work. Through an experiment with ninety six experienced professionals we test the impact of a medium and a high level of visual restrictiveness compared to a control condition. As predicted, the results show that a medium level of visual restrictiveness, embodied in a grid layout, leads to higher experience sharing effectiveness. The impact is mediated by the structural pattern of appropriation of the interactive graphical template (assessed with content analysis). The implications of this study include extending the benefits and applications of visual representations to support group communication and the development (and testing) of the concept of visual restrictiveness.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Visual Languages and ComputingVolume: 31Issue: Part A
Scopus© Citations 9 -
PublicationSlip-Sliding-Away: A Review of the Literature on the Constraining Qualities of PowerPointPowerPoint is a dominant communication tool in business and education. It allows for creating professional-looking presentations easily, but without understanding its constraining qualities it can be used inappropriately. Therefore we conducted a systematic literature review structuring the literature on PowerPoint in three chronological phases (Early Criticism, Heated Debate, and Scientific Take-Off) and identifying 18 constraining qualities classified into three categories: cognitive, emotional, and social. This article provides implications for educators' and practitioners' use (and nonuse) of PowerPoint through synthesis and description of such constraining qualities. Directions for future research are developed by identifying theoretical gaps in literature on PowerPoint.Type: journal articleJournal: Business and Professional Communication QuarterlyVolume: 78Issue: 3
Scopus© Citations 32 -
PublicationDiagnosing Capabilities in Family Firms: An Overviews of Visual Research Methods and Suggestions for Future ApplicationsFamily firms often develop unique capabilities over time, but these organizational competencies are difficult to identify, isolate and describe independently of the key individuals in the family firm. In this article, we provide examples and an overview of research methods that can be used to identify and visualize organizational competencies in family firms. We report from pilot applications of such visual competence diagnostics in an action research mode. We structure our article as follows: We first show the relevance of the competence visualization topic for family firms. In a second step, we classify available methods for competence visualization in a simple framework. In a third step, we report on our experience on researching a family firm with the help of visual competence diagnostics methods. We conclude the article with implications for family firm researchers and practitioners and provide a brief outlook on visual research methods and their role in better understanding family firms.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Family Business StrategyVolume: 5Issue: 1
Scopus© Citations 10 -
PublicationBeyond projection : Using visualization in conducting interviewsPurpose - This article argues for the reflective use of visual techniques in qualitative inter-viewing and suggests using visuals not only as projective techniques to elicit answers, but also as facilitation techniques throughout the interview process. Design/methodology/approach - By reflecting on their own research projects in organization and management studies, the authors develop a practical approach to visual interviewing - making use of both projective and facilitation techniques. The article concludes by discussing the limitations of visualization techniques, and suggesting directions for future research on visually-enhanced interviewing. Findings - The article's contribution is two-fold: First, it explains how the introduction of visual facilitation may improve the interview process, while also bringing advantages for the ensuing phase of data analysis. Second, it suggests a practical approach for the integration of visual projection and facilitation into qualitative research. Originality/value - This article is reflective of what is currently occurring in the field of qualitative interviewing, and presents a practical approach for the integration of visual projec-tion and facilitation into qualitative interviews.Type: journal articleJournal: Qualitative Research in Organization and ManagementVolume: 9Issue: 2
Scopus© Citations 25 -
PublicationBest of Both Worlds: Hybrid Knowledge Visualization in Police Crime FightingPurpose - This paper aims to study hybrid knowledge visualization in police crime fighting and military operations. Making effective and timely use of all available, relevant knowledge is a major requirement for today's police officers who strive to fight organized crime or resolve complex criminal acts under time pressure. As they share this knowledge integration challenge with many management contexts, the authors have examined the knowledge visualization practices of a leading regional police force (and of a military unit) to derive insights for corporate knowledge management. Design/methodology/approach - To examine the knowledge visualization practices of a leading regional police force, the authors have conducted on-site observations, focus groups and interviews, as well as site, document, tool and software analyses within the police headquarters. Findings - As one main result of their empirical investigation, the authors find that the police force's practice of hybrid (i.e. digital and physical) knowledge visualization offers a useful strategy for corporate knowledge management as well. They also show how organizations can apply this dual approach to making knowledge visible, i.e. using sophisticated visualization software in combination with hands-on physical and permanently visible knowledge boards. Originality/value - They discuss how these two modalities can be combined to improve knowledge management and how this hybrid practice can be understood theoretically through the lens of boundary object theory. With this regard, this article also extends the boundary object theory by identifying nine dynamic qualities of collaborative visualizations.Type: journal articleJournal: Journal of Knowledge ManagementVolume: 18Issue: 4
Scopus© Citations 18 -
PublicationThe Use of Visualization in the Communication of Business Strategies: An Experimental EvaluationAn experiment was conducted to gather empirical evidence regarding whether the use of visualization is better than text in the communication of a business strategy. A total of 76 managers saw a presentation of the strategy of the financial services branch of an international car manufacturer. The visual representation of the strategy was chosen as the independent variable, and the effects on the audience were measured. Three types of visual support were chosen as conditions: bulleted list, visual metaphor, and temporal diagram. Each subject saw one representation format only. Subjects who were exposed to a graphic representation of the strategy paid significantly more attention to, agreed more with, and better recalled the strategy than did subjects who saw a (textually identical) bulleted list version. However, no significant difference was found regarding the understanding of the strategy. Subjects who were exposed to a graphic representation of the strategy perceived the presentation and the presenter significantly more positively than did those who received the presentation through a bulleted list.Type: journal articleJournal: International Journal of Business CommunicationVolume: 2014Issue: forthcoming, online only
Scopus© Citations 31 -
PublicationType: journal articleJournal: OrganisationsEntwicklungVolume: 31Issue: 1