近年來，由於科技的蓬勃發展，縮短了時空的差距，提供了更多知識分享的機會，而透過網際網路學習的方式，就是一個很好的例子。這些虛擬群組的成員是分散在不同區域，藉由網際網路相互溝通、學習、並且完成群組工作，以達到學習的目的。為了瞭解如何建立一個有效率的虛擬群組，本研究針對虛擬群組發展的過程，虛擬群組信任的發展，以及兩者之間動態關係進行探討。
本研究的樣本是採用網路大學的學習虛擬群組，共25組。研究主要發現是，虛擬群組發展的過程共有三個不同特徵的階段：第一階段的特徵是依賴與逃避、第二個階段是衝突與信任、第三個階段是工作導向。其次，針對虛擬群組信任的研究發現有三。第一：在虛擬群組剛剛形成時，成員會快速的產生對虛擬群組的信任。第二：組員根基於利益考慮，互動後的知識累積，與群組認同感，將同時產生這三種信任。第三，這三種信任在不同群組發展階段中，有不同的變化與成長。而群組發展與信任兩者是相互牽動、影響著彼此。

Recent advances in information technologies provide a unique opportunity for sharing knowledge free from constraints of time and place. One application area is Internet-based learning where members of virtual groups are separated by location, and are challenged by a collaborative project. In this research we investigate the developmental patterns of such groups, and address how trust may shape and be shaped by the virtual groups’ development.
Twenty-five groups in a cyber-university participate in our study. Our findings suggested the development of virtual groups was characterized by three stages: dependency and flight, fight and pair, and work. In addition, virtual group members initially imported trust rather than developed trust. Calculus-based trust, knowledge-based trust and identification-based trust coexisted and co-evolved over time. Finally, there appeared to be a reciprocal relationship between trust and group development.

1. INTRODUCTION 1
1.1. BACKGROUND 1
1.2. RESEARCH QUESTIONS 2
2. LITERATURE 5
2.1. COMPUTER- MEDIATED- COMMUNICATION 5
2.2. GROUP DEVELOPMENT PROCESS 6
2.2.1. Stage One: Dependency and Inclusion 6
2.2.2. Stage Two: Counter-dependency and Fight 7
2.2.3. Stage Three: Trust and Structure 8
2.2.4. Stage Four: Work 9
2.2.5. Group Development in CMC-based environments 9
2.3. TRUST IN VITUAL GROUPS 11
2.3.1. Calculus-based Trust 13
2.3.2. Knowledge-based Trust 13
2.3.3. Identification-based Trust 14
2.3.4. Research Issues Concerning Trust in the Development of Virtual Groups…………………………………………………………………………………16
3. METHODOLOGY 18
3.1. ASSESSING GROUP PROCESSES 18
3.2. SAMPLING 20
3.3. DATA 21
3.3.1. Collaboration Participants 21
3.3.2. Tasks 22
3.4. CONTENT ANALYSIS 23
3.5. PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT 26


4. RESULT 28
4.1. VIRTUAL GROUP DEVELOPMENT 38
4.1.1. Dependency and Flight 38
4.1.2. Fight and Pair 38
4.1.3. Work 39
4.2. TRUST DYNAMICS 39
4.2.1. Calculus-based Trust 39
4.2.2. Knowledge-based Trust 41
4.2.3. Identification-based Trust 42
5. DISCUSSION 44
5.1. CONFLICT CONTENT: FIGHT VS. COUNTER-DEPENDENCY 44
5.2. SWIFT TRUST 44
5.3. CONFLICT DEEPENS OR DESTROY TRUST IN THE CONFLICT 45
6. LIMITATION 48
7. CONCLUSION 49
8. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 50
9. REFERENCE 51

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