Group dynamics in collocated and virtual team
Authors: Huey-Wen Chou, Yu-Hsun Lin, Jung-Lung Hsu, Hui-Yu Kuo
Journal: Chiao Da Management Review. Jun. 2014, 34(1): 57-78.
Keywords: Virtual team; Collocated team; Shared team identity; Conflict; Trust
Abstract:
Virtual team; Collocated team; Shared team identity; Conflict; Trust
Abstract: This study analyzed the resu1ts of survey data from 104 teams, including 53 virtual teams and 51
collocated teams, across various industries in Taiwan. The aims of this study were to examine empirically the
proposed model a) with trust as the mediator of the team type-conflict relation and b) with shared team
identity as the moderator of the team type-trust relation. Our study found, first, that the virtual teams,
compared with collocated teams, experienced less shared team identity and less trust in team members, and
exhibited a higher level of conflict within the team. Second, this study confirmed that trust in team members
is a significant mediator between team type and conflict. Third, the significant moderating role of shared
team identity, however, was not found. Fourth, among three control variables, this study found that team size
has a significant association with trust in team members and conflict within the team. This result indicates
that, as the team size increases, trust in team members will weaken as well as that more team conflict will
emerge. Managers of a virtual team should constrain the team size so that the negative effects of large group
size can be controlled. If a large team size is inevitable, team leaders should implement managerial
interventions. Among all, building convenient communication channels to enhance frequent and effective
intra-group communication so as to facilitate the development of trust in team and shared team identity is a
plausible option. The managerial implications and discussion of the research limitations of this study
conclude the paper.