Effects of task interdependence and type of communication on performance in virtual teams

Abstract

C e n t e r f o r E f f e c t i v e O r g a n i z a t i o n s -M a r s h a l l S c h o o l o f B u s i n e s s U n i v e r s i t y o f S o u t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a -L o s A n g e l e s, CA 9 0 0 8 9 -0 8 0 6 (2 1 3) 7 4 0 -9 8 1 4 FAX (213) 740-4354This laboratory study proposes a model of virtual team performance based on the fit between the characteristics of the task and the type of communication media used by members of the team. Using a 2 x 2 factorial design of 240 participants randomly assigned to 80 three-person teams, we investigate the effects of within-group task interdependence and the degree of communications synchrony on performance in virtual teams (VT). Teams worked virtually (not meeting face-to-face) performing a merit rating task. The analyses revealed an interaction effect between task interdependence and synchrony of communication. We found high values of VT performance both: a) under conditions of "low task interdependence" and "asynchrony of communication"and b) under conditions of "high task interdependence" and "synchrony of the communication". The results show that superior VT performance is contingent on the match between the nature of the task and the choice of communications modality. This work complements past research that has focused mainly on virtual teams using asynchronous technologies or comparing them with face to face teams. 6

Factors affecting team performance in globally distributed setting

“…For virtual teams, the choice of communication media is closely tied with the nature of task (Rico et al 2005). Previous research has also suggested that apart from the nature of task, an important role is that of social context in which the communication is embedded (Markus 1994;Wiesenfeld et al 1999 In the context of offshore-onsite software development, a recent study (Vlaar et al, 2008) concluded that team members in distributed setting rated "quality of interaction" as the most important factor for successful collaboration and communication between onsite and offshore members.…”

A Comparison of Team Performance Measures for Global Software Development Student Teams

“…For the most part, performance of global software engineering students is assessed by grading or evaluating the quality of the work completed by the team [3,6,8,25,27]. Students participating in these courses (or projects) are required to complete a task or solve a problem, which is then evaluated by the teacher(s) or independent experts against an established correct solution.…”

Leading Global Teams

“…Indeed, empirical research has found that global team performance depends on the fi t between the nature of the task and the synchrony of communication (Rico & Cohen, 2005 ). The synchrony of communication is conceptualized as a continuum where degree of synchrony refers to the extent to which the technology used in team communication facilitates teams working together in the same space and time.…”