Strengthening perceptions of virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness in new normal: A hyperpersonal communication theory perspective

Abstract

In the post-pandemic era, many team management challenges arise in multinational organisations along with the pervasion of virtual teamwork collaboration, such as workplace isolation (an unsatisfied need for belongingness). However, little is known about the psychological mechanisms required for solving this context-specific challenge by strengthening virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness. Accordingly, this study adopts the hyperpersonal communication theory derived from Walther’s hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to provide an alternative theoretical explanation to understand better how individuals perceive their team cohesiveness and effectiveness in the specific CMC setting. Supported by 549 valid responses, I illuminate how mutual assistance as a typical interaction among CMC team members cultivates benevolent norms and facilitates members’ perceptions of team cohesiveness and effectiveness. More importantly, this study opens the door for future research on management interventions that can help enhance team cohesiveness and effectiveness at the individual perception level. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1057/s41291-023-00225-6.

The Role of Team Cohesion in Success: A Literature Review from a Psychological Perspective

“…Furthermore, Cai (2023) explored the strengthening of perceptions of virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness in the new normal, offering a hyperpersonal communication theory perspective, which opens doors for future research about psychological intervention in team management fields to enhance team cohesiveness and effectiveness at the individual perception level (40). This study provides valuable insights into the psychological mechanisms that can be leveraged to enhance virtual team cohesion in the evolving work environment.…”

“…Moreover, Cai (2023) investigated the strengthening of perceptions of virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness, offering a hyperpersonal communication theory perspective, which opens doors for future research on management interventions to enhance team cohesiveness and effectiveness at the individual perception level (40). This study provides valuable insights into the psychological mechanisms that can be leveraged to enhance virtual team cohesion in the evolving work environment Gu et al (2022) also examined the relationships among sports group cohesion, passion, and mental toughness in Chinese team sports athletes, highlighting the beneficial impact of cohesion on athletes' mental toughness in team sports (42).…”

“…The post-pandemic era has brought about new challenges in enhancing team cohesion, particularly in the context of virtual teamwork collaboration. Cai (2023) highlighted workplace isolation as a significant challenge, emphasizing the unsatisfied need for belongingness in virtual teams (40). This challenge underscores the importance of addressing social and psychological needs in virtual work environments to foster team cohesion.…”