Healthy Divide or Detrimental Division? Subgroups in Virtual Teams

Subgroup formation, the emergence of smaller groups within teams, has been found to be detrimental to teamwork in virtual teams. Recently, however, an alternative view of the effects of subgroup formation proposes that the formation of subgroups is not always bad. When subgroups are based on identity characteristics like race and gender they are likely to have negative effects, but when they are not, subgroups can have positive effects on teamwork. This paper empirically examines this proposition. Results of our study generally support the proposed assertion. When subgroups are not based on race or gender they are positively associated with perceptions of social integration and open communication. However, when they are based on race and gender they are negatively associated with perceptions of social integration and open communication. The implications of this study demonstrate that subgroups may in many cases be beneficial rather than detrimental to virtual teams.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/111876/1/A Healthy Divide or Detrimental Division JCIS Forthcoming (Posted to Deep Blue and Research Gate).pdfDescription of A Healthy Divide or Detrimental Division JCIS Forthcoming (Posted to Deep Blue and Research Gate).pdf : Main Articl

An Assessment of the Influence of Functional Diversity and Perceived Information Quality on the Intention to Use Collaboration Systems

The role that perceived information quality has on the intention to use a computer supported collaborative work (CSCW) system in the Federal Highway Administration is the focus of this study. The purpose of this study was to examine the functional diversity of the contributors in a CSCW as a major determinant of perceived information quality. The study relied on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to propose a theoretical model which shows that perceived information quality influences perceived risk and trusting belief of the users of these systems. Both perceived risk and trusting belief shape the intention to use a computer supported collaborative work systems. This study conducted a web-based survey to validate the theoretical model. The study focused on the use of computer-supported collaborative work systems in the Federal Highway Administration. This study empirically validated the theoretical model. Scales were developed within the context of the variables (functional diversity, perceived information quality, perceived risk, trusting belief, and intention to use.) to survey discipline members at the Federal Highway Administration.The statistical results showed support for perceived information quality’s positive influence on trusting belief, perceived information quality’s negative influence on perceived risk, perceived risk’s negative influence on the intention to use a CSCW and trusting belief’s positive influence on the intention to use a CSCW. The results also showed there is no statistically significant difference in perceived information quality by functional diversity. This study concluded that the research model showed significant results to support four of the five hypotheses proposed and helped uncover key findings on how perceived information quality can be impacted. This research served as an original contribution to CSCW while working in functionally diverse teams environments