The case study reported here examines the revision of a mission statement by a group of nine professionals, using electronic mail and a list server. Fifty messages embodied the interaction. The author identifies as a limitation that there was not a severe deadline, as is often the case in other work settings.

The evaluation is positive. The participants achieved their goal, adapted conventional roles to the online setting, and negotiated changes effectively and at their convenience, although taking longer than they might have using other interaction methods.

The study also identified shortcomings. The volume of mail on the server made it difficult to follow all the details of the various interactions taking place. Individuals could preempt power from the group, because there was no agreed protocol for distributing the work product.

The author concludes that the mode of interaction is effective when participants are distributed, and deadlines are not strict, and that technological advances will enhance more than undermine collaborative processes.

The work is clearly presented. The study is small in terms of the number of participants, the number of messages exchanged, and the size of the document produced.