Designing videoconference facilities for improved eye contact

Abstract

The satisfaction of participants with videoconferencing as a medium for conducting meetings, and satisfaction with the outcome of a decision reached via videoconferencing were compared as a function of the degree of eye contact permitted by different videoconference facility designs. Improved eye contact was related positively to the participants’ satisfaction with the medium, but not to the decision outcome. These results, and the potential contribution of communication research for technological design, were discussed.