A Framework to Evaluate the Performance and Satisfaction of Virtual Teams in On-line Learning Environment

This paper describes the development of a framework which can be used to evaluate the performance and satisfaction of virtual teams in an online education environment. A comprehensive literature review of existing virtual team research is used to develop a framework and this is then substantiated against existing theories in relation to Computer Mediated Communication (CMC). The framework is distinct and feasible; provides social and task dimension; and provides the relationships between variables. In addition, each variable is discussed and the clues of methodology design are presented.

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

[2]  Artemis Chang,et al.  A Multidimensional Approach to the Group Cohesion-Group Performance Relationship , 2001 .

[3]  Xin Li,et al.  Predicting user trust in information systems: a comparison of competing trust models , 2004, 37th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, 2004. Proceedings of the.

[4]  M. Feldman,et al.  Electronic Mail and Organizational Communication: Does Saying Hi Really Matter? , 1998 .

[5]  Michael Bieber,et al.  Collaborative examinations for asynchronous learning networks: evaluation results , 2001, Proceedings of the 34th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[6]  C. Fulford,et al.  Perceptions of Interaction: The critical predictor in distance education , 1993 .

[7]  Li Lin,et al.  A Project Task Coordination Model for Team Organization in Concurrent Engineering , 2002, Concurr. Eng. Res. Appl..

[8]  J. H. Davis,et al.  An Integrative Model Of Organizational Trust , 1995 .

[9]  ChidambaramLaku.  Relational development in computer-supported groups , 1996 .

[10]  J. Walther.  Relational Aspects of Computer-Mediated Communication: Experimental Observations over Time , 1995 .

[11]  Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa,et al.  Communication and Trust in Global Virtual Teams , 1999, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[12]  R E Smith,et al.  Examination of the factorial validity of the Group Environment Questionnaire. , 1994, Research quarterly for exercise and sport.

[13]  R. Baumeister,et al.  The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. , 1995, Psychological bulletin.

[14]  Gary Baker,et al.  The Effects of Synchronous Collaborative Technologies on Decision Making: A Study of Virtual Teams , 2002, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..

[15]  Rosalie J. Ocker,et al.  The mediating effect of group development on satisfaction in a virtual and mixed-mode environment , 2002, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[16]  Albert H. Rubenstein,et al.  Group Cohesiveness , 1975 .

[17]  Olivier Caya,et al.  Virtual Teams: What We Know, What We Don't Know , 2005, Int. J. e Collab..

[18]  F. Erdem,et al.  Cognitive and affective dimensions of trust in developing team performance , 2003 .

[19]  Yadong Luo,et al.  Building Trust in Cross-Cultural Collaborations: Toward a Contingency Perspective: , 2002 .

[20]  Anne P. Massey,et al.  Synchronizing pace in asynchronous global virtual project teams , 2002, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

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

[22]  Blake Ives,et al.  Virtual teams: a review of current literature and directions for future research , 2004, DATB.

[23]  Robert Weinberg,et al.  A Multidimensional Group Cohesion Instrument for Intercollegiate Basketball Teams , 1984 .

[24]  Deborah Britt Roebuck,et al.  Using a Simulation to Explore the Challenges of Communicating in a Virtual Team , 2004 .

[25]  N. L. Chervany,et al.  Initial Trust Formation in New Organizational Relationships , 1998 .

[26]  Ramesh Sharda,et al.  Decision support system effectiveness: a review and an empirical test , 1988 .

[27]  P. Bordia.  Face-to-Face Versus Computer-Mediated Communication: A Synthesis of the Experimental Literature , 1997 .

[28]  John D'Ambra,et al.  Computer-mediated communication and media preference: An investigation of the dimensionality of perceived task equivocality and media richness , 1998, Behav. Inf. Technol..

[29]  S. Green,et al.  The effects of three social decision schemes on decision group process , 1980 .

[30]  F. Anderson,et al.  The impact of netcentricity on virtual teams: the new performance challenge , 2002 .

[31]  Steve Sawyer,et al.  Software Development: Processes and Performance , 1998, IBM Syst. J..

[32]  Qing Peng,et al.  Asynchronous team support: Perceptions of the group problem solving process when using a CyberCollaboratory , 2002, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[33]  Joseph S. Valacich,et al.  Computer-mediated and face-to-face groups: who makes riskier decisions? , 2002, Proceedings of the 35th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[34]  Jamie A. Dyce,et al.  Factorial Validity of the Group Environment Questionnaire Among Musicians , 1996 .

[35]  A. Richardsen,et al.  Cohesion as a Basic Bond in Groups , 1983 .

[36]  R. Kelly Rainer,et al.  Impact of User Satisfaction and Trust on Virtual Team Members , 2002, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..

[37]  Peter R. Monge,et al.  Introduction to the Special Issue: Communication Processes for Virtual Organizations , 1999 .

[38]  Michael H. Zack,et al.  Electronic messaging and communication effectiveness in an ongoing work group , 1994, Inf. Manag..

[39]  Michiel van Genuchten,et al.  Innovations in Information Systems Education-VIHKNet: Instilling Realism Into the Study of Emerging Trends , 2005, Commun. Assoc. Inf. Syst..

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

[41]  T. Postmes,et al.  Deindividuation and antinormative behavior: A meta-analysis. , 1998 .

[42]  Yvonne Dittrich,et al.  Software engineering across boundaries: student project in distributed collaboration , 1999 .

[43]  Merrill Warkentin,et al.  Virtual Teams versus Face-to-Face Teams: An Exploratory Study of a Web-based Conference System* , 1997 .

[44]  Karen Swan,et al.  Virtual interaction: Design factors affecting student satisfaction and perceived learning in asynchronous online courses , 2001 .

[45]  Joseph S. Valacich,et al.  Virtual Team Trust: Instrument Development and Validation in an IS Educational Environment , 2003, Inf. Resour. Manag. J..

[46]  A. Zaheer,et al.  Does Trust Matter? Exploring the Effectsof Interorganizational and Interpersonaltrust on Performance , 1998 .

[47]  Jeffrey A. Miles,et al.  The effects of videoconference, telephone, and face-to-face media on interviewer and applicant judgments in employment interviews , 2001 .

[48]  Lee Sproull,et al.  Reducing social context cues: electronic mail in organizational communication , 1986 .

[49]  Brian E. Mennecke,et al.  Teams and Tasks , 2003 .

[50]  A. Hollingshead.  Communication, Learning, and Retrieval in Transactive Memory Systems☆☆☆ , 1998 .

[51]  Daniel L. Sherrell,et al.  Communications of the Association for Information Systems , 1999 .

[52]  Eliot R. Smith,et al.  Research methods in social relations , 1962 .

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

[54]  Albert V. Carron,et al.  Cohesion: Conceptual and Measurement Issues , 2000 .

[55]  Herbert Snyder,et al.  The Network Nation: Human Communication Via Computer , 1995 .

[56]  R. Daft,et al.  Language and Organization , 1979 .

[57]  M. Markus.  Electronic Mail as the Medium of Managerial Choice , 1994 .

[58]  Anne P. Massey,et al.  Getting It Together: Temporal Coordination and Conflict Management in Global Virtual Teams , 2001 .

[59]  Bernard C. Y. Tan,et al.  A dialogue technique to enhance electronic communication in virtual teams , 2000 .

[60]  M. Maznevski,et al.  Bridging Space Over Time: Global Virtual Team Dynamics and Effectiveness , 2000 .

[61]  Deborah G. . Ancona,et al.  Demography and Design: Predictors of New Product Team Performance , 1992 .

[62]  Steve Whittaker,et al.  Conversations Over Video Conferences: An Evaluation of the Spoken Aspects of Video-Mediated Communication , 1993, Hum. Comput. Interact..

[63]  Paul A. Pavlou,et al.  Institution-Based Trust in Interorganizational Exchange Relationships: The Role of Online B2B Marketplaces on Trust Formation , 2002, J. Strateg. Inf. Syst..

[64]  Charles J. Kacmar,et al.  Developing and Validating Trust Measures for e-Commerce: An Integrative Typology , 2002, Inf. Syst. Res..

[65]  Russell Spears,et al.  Computer-Mediated Communication, De-Individuation and Group Decision-Making , 1991, Int. J. Man Mach. Stud..

[66]  David Gefen,et al.  Some antecedents and effects of trust in virtual communities , 2002, J. Strateg. Inf. Syst..

[67]  James D. McKeen,et al.  Enhancing Computer-Mediated Communication: An experimental investigation into the use of a Group Decision Support System for face-to-face versus remote meetings , 1990, Inf. Manag..

[68]  A. Lott,et al.  Group cohesiveness as interpersonal attraction: a review of relationships with antecedent and consequent variables. , 1965, Psychological bulletin.

[69]  R. Bachmann,et al.  Studying Trust in Virtual Organizations , 2003 .

[70]  Bradley L. Kirkman,et al.  The Impact of Team Empowerment on Virtual Team Performance: The Moderating Role of Face-to-Face Interaction , 2004 .

[71]  Laku Chidambaram,et al.  Do mediated contexts differ in information richness? A comparison of collocated and dispersed meetings , 1996, Proceedings of HICSS-29: 29th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences.

[72]  Mingming Jiang,et al.  A Study of Factors Influencing Students’ Perceived Learning in a Web-Based Course Environment , 2000 .

[73]  N. L. Chervany,et al.  Initial trust formation in new organizational relationships, Academy of Management Review, , . , 1998 .

[74]  J. H. Davis,et al.  An integrative model of organizational trust, Academy of Management Review, : . , 1995 .

[75]  Richard E. Potter,et al.  Expertise, extraversion and group interaction styles as performance indicators in virtual teams: how do perceptions of IT's performance get formed? , 2004, DATB.

[76]  Susan G. Straus,et al.  Technology, Group Process, and Group Outcomes: Testing the Connections in Computer-Mediated and Face-to-Face Groups , 1997, Hum. Comput. Interact..

[77]  S. Kiesler.  The hidden messages in computer networks , 1986 .

[78]  C. Wöll,et al.  References for 2 , 2002 .

[79]  James Griffith,et al.  Measurement of Group Cohesion in U. S. Army Units , 1988 .

[80]  K. Bollen,et al.  Perceived Cohesion: A Conceptual and Empirical Examination , 1990 .

[81]  D. R. Rutter,et al.  Cuelessness and the content and style of conversation , 1982 .

[82]  A. R. Ilersic,et al.  Research methods in social relations , 1961 .

[83]  James D. Thompson.  Organizations in Action , 1967 .

[84]  Sirkka L. Jarvenpaa,et al.  Communication and Trust in Global Virtual Teams , 1999 .

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

[86]  John Short,et al.  The social psychology of telecommunications , 1976 .

[87]  David W. Park,et al.  Interpersonal Effects in Computer-Mediated Interaction , 1994 .

[88]  Janet Fulk,et al.  Organizational Colleagues, Media Richness, and Electronic Mail , 1991 .

[89]  Mahesh S. Raisinghani,et al.  An empirical study of best practices in virtual teams , 2001, Inf. Manag..

[90]  Richard L. Daft,et al.  Message Equivocality, Media Selection, and Manager Performance: Implications for Information Systems , 1987, MIS Q..

[91]  C. R. Evans,et al.  The Structure of Group Cohesion , 1995 .

[92]  Robert E. Kraut,et al.  Coordination and Virtualization: The Role of Electronic Networks and Personal Relationships , 1999, J. Comput. Mediat. Commun..

[93]  E. Salas,et al.  Virtual Teams: Effects of Technological Mediation on Team Performance , 2003 .

[94]  R. Daft,et al.  Information Richness. A New Approach to Managerial Behavior and Organization Design , 1983 .

[95]  J. McGrath.  Time, Interaction, and Performance (TIP) , 1991 .

[96]  Wynne W. Chin,et al.  Perceived Cohesion in Small Groups , 1999 .

[97]  Daniel Robey,et al.  Situated learning in cross-functional virtual teams , 2000 .

[98]  Stephen Soldz,et al.  What is Cohesiveness? , 1993 .

[99]  Gordon B. Davis,et al.  Reengineering the Systems Development Process: The Link Between Autonomous Teams and Business Process Outcomes , 1997, J. Manag. Inf. Syst..

[100]  Daniel J. McAllister.  Affect- and Cognition-Based Trust as Foundations for Interpersonal Cooperation in Organizations , 1995 .

[101]  Alexei V. Matveev,et al.  Cross Cultural Communication Competence and Multicultural Team Performance , 2004 .