Talking a team into being in online workplace collaborations: the discourse of virtual work (2019)

[amoralesg001]

This article https://journals-sagepub-com.ezproxy.csbsju.edu/doi/10.1177/1461445619829240 looks at the multi-dimensions of remote teaming. There was a lot of information in this study, but most of it looked at ways discourse construction in virtual teams create shared knowledge and team identity. Although this study collected data from a multinational food manufacturer company, there was some interesting points that I think would pertain to any group of virtual teams.

One of the points they highlighted was the use of meta-comments -- an aspect relevant to what we do here in GitHub. By having a place to share thoughts and impressions and where other people can share their thoughts as well. Being able to interact in this way was found to increase emotional trust with one another in the study.

I also liked how they viewed computer-mediated technology as "not simply an entity of technical properties nor simply a tool for completing tasks, but rather a way for teams to experience and express togetherness". Being able to use humor, sympathy, and other aspects of emotional involvement helped to bring people together in virtual teams. At the end, the article states "the analysis have shown that the team draws on a wide range of strategies that establish the unique team identity through fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie. And, as virtual team research attests, these interpersonal connections, emotional attachment and the resulting trust are fundamental for the effective functioning of a virtual team". Really good read !

[elaineraybourn]

@amoralesg001 Would you mind sharing the pdf? The link goes to St. John's University login. Thank you, 👽

[amoralesg001]

Yeah, no problem! here you go

Talking a team into being online collaborations.pdf

[elaineraybourn]

👽