Virtual Teams versus Face-to-Face Teams: An Exploratory Study of a Web-based Conference System*

Many organizations are forming “virtual teams” of geographically distributed knowledge workers to collaborate on a variety of workplace tasks. But how effective are these virtual teams compared to traditional face-to-face groups? Do they create similar teamwork and is information exchanged as effectively? An exploratory study of a World Wide Web-based asynchronous computer conference system known as Meeting Web™ is presented and discussed. It was found that teams using this computer-mediated communication system (CMCS) could not outperform traditional (face-to-face) teams under otherwise comparable circumstances. Further, relational links among team members were found to be a significant contributor to the effectiveness of information exchange. Though virtual and face-to-face teams exhibit similar levels of communication effectiveness, face-to-face team members report higher levels of satisfaction. Therefore, the paper presents steps that can be taken to improve the interaction experience of virtual teams. Finally, guidelines for creating and managing virtual teams are suggested, based on the findings of this research and other authoritative sources.

[1]  Raymond R. Panko,et al.  Project teams: profiles and member perceptions-implications for group support system research and products , 1996, Proceedings of HICSS-29: 29th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[2]  J. William Pfeiffer,et al.  A Handbook of Structured Experiences for Human Relations Training. Volume I. , 1969 .

[3]  J. Valacich,et al.  Group Support Systems: New Perspectives , 1992 .

[4]  J. McGrath,et al.  Groups Interacting with Technology: Ideas, Evidence, Issues and an Agenda , 1993 .

[5]  Margaret Tan,et al.  The virtual workplace , 1998 .

[6]  S. Kiesler,et al.  Group processes in computer-mediated communication☆ , 1986 .

[7]  Janet Fulk,et al.  Emerging Theories of Communication in Organizations , 1991 .

[8]  Julie E. Kendall,et al.  The relationship of organizational subcultures to DSS user satisfaction , 1987 .

[9]  Ross Hightower,et al.  Social influence effects on remote group interactions , 1995 .

[10]  Michael H. Zack,et al.  Interactivity and Communication Mode Choice in Ongoing Management Groups , 1993, Inf. Syst. Res..

[11]  A Jay,et al.  How to: Run a Meeting , 1982, The Journal of nursing administration.

[12]  Richard L. Daft,et al.  Organizational information requirements, media richness and structural design , 1986 .

[13]  S. Kiesler,et al.  Group decision making and communication technology , 1992 .

[14]  Starr Roxanne Hiltz,et al.  Network Nation: Human Communication Via Computer , 1979 .

[15]  S. Seashore.  Group cohesiveness in the industrial work group , 1955 .

[16]  Robert M. Hayes,et al.  Systems analysis and design , 1970, ACM '70.

[17]  Robert Johansen,et al.  Groupware: Computer Support for Business Teams , 1988 .

[18]  J. McGrath,et al.  Group Task Performance and Communication Technology , 1993 .

[19]  Ronald M. Baecker,et al.  Readings in Groupware and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work: Assisting Human-Human Collaboration , 1992 .

[20]  J. Walther,et al.  Relational communication in computer-mediated interaction , 1990 .

[21]  R. Bostrom,et al.  Evolution of group performance over time: A repeated measures study of GDSS effects , 1993 .

[22]  R. Hightower,et al.  The impact of computer-mediated communication systems on biased group discussion , 1995 .

[23]  G. Stasser,et al.  Pooling of Unshared Information in Group Decision Making: Biased Information Sampling During Discussion , 1985 .

[24]  Laku Chidambaram,et al.  Relational Development in Computer-Supported Groups , 1996, MIS Q..

[25]  Peter G. W. Keen,et al.  Business Teams in an Information Age , 1989, Inf. Soc..

[26]  Gerardine DeSanctis,et al.  A foundation for the study of group decision support systems , 1987 .

[27]  Jolene Galegher,et al.  Computer-Mediated Communication for Intellectual Teamwork: An Experiment in Group Writing , 1994, Inf. Syst. Res..

[28]  Ross Hightower,et al.  Effects of Communication Mode and Prediscussion Information Distribution Characteristics on Information Exchange in Groups , 1996, Inf. Syst. Res..

[29]  Joseph E. McGrath,et al.  Time matters in groups , 1990 .

[30]  G. Stasser,et al.  Effects of information load and percentage of shared information on the dissemination of unshared information during group discussion. , 1987 .

[31]  Laku Chidambaram,et al.  Developmental differences between distributed and face-to-face groups in electronically supported meeting environments: An exploratory investigation , 1995 .

[32]  Everett M. Rogers,et al.  Communication Technology: The New Media in Society , 1986 .

[33]  R. W. Root,et al.  Informal Communication in Organizations: Form, Function, and Technology , 1990 .

[34]  Robert E. Kraut,et al.  Intellectual Teamwork: Social and Technological Foundations of Cooperative Work , 1990 .

[35]  Sherry K. Schneider,et al.  COMPUTER-MEDIATED COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL INFORMATION: STATUS SALIENCE AND STATUS DIFFERENCES , 1995 .

[36]  Roger McHaney,et al.  Information exchange in virtual work groups , 1998 .

[37]  S. R. Hiltz,et al.  Experiments in group decision making: Communication process and outcome in face-to-face versus computerized conferences. , 1986 .

[38]  Raymond R. Panko,et al.  Managerial Communication Patterns , 1992 .

[39]  E. Ramsden.  Group Process and Productivity , 1973 .