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Virtual Teams and Multiple Media: Structuring Media Use to Attain Strategic Goals

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  • France Bélanger

    (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

  • Mary Beth Watson-Manheim

    (University of Illinois at Chicago)

Abstract

Work environments have grown substantially more complex over the years. Teams are increasingly distributed, and presented with a variety of different communication technologies, e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, cellular phones, pagers, and intranet applications, for use in distributed collaborative activities. Further, individuals often belong to multiple teams concurrently. This study explores how virtual team members structure their use of multiple media to attain strategic goals in complex work environments. A grounded theory approach was used to analyze data gathered from forty interviews of information technology workers. Our results indicate that there are two primary structures individuals employ when making use of multiple media: sequential and concurrent. Sequential combinations are of three types: redundant, serial, or complementary, while concurrent combinations are of two types: independent or complementary. Further, individuals strategically use multiple media to accomplish specific communication goals beyond simply transmitting the message, such as message acknowledgement, enhancement of mutual understanding, and participation in multiple communication interactions. The implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • France Bélanger & Mary Beth Watson-Manheim, 2006. "Virtual Teams and Multiple Media: Structuring Media Use to Attain Strategic Goals," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 15(4), pages 299-321, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:grdene:v:15:y:2006:i:4:d:10.1007_s10726-006-9044-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10726-006-9044-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Ann-Frances Cameron & Jane Webster, 2011. "Relational Outcomes of Multicommunicating: Integrating Incivility and Social Exchange Perspectives," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 22(3), pages 754-771, June.
    4. XiaoHu Wang & XiaNan Wei & Montgomery Wart & Alma McCarthy & Cheol Liu & Soonhee Kim & David H. Ready, 2023. "The role of E-leadership in ICT utilization: a project management perspective," Information Technology and Management, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 99-113, June.
    5. David Xu & Ronald Cenfetelli & Karl Aquino, 2012. "The Influence of Media Cue Multiplicity on Deceivers and Those Who Are Deceived," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 106(3), pages 337-352, March.
    6. Paul M. Leonardi & Tsedal B. Neeley & Elizabeth M. Gerber, 2012. "How Managers Use Multiple Media: Discrepant Events, Power, and Timing in Redundant Communication," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 23(1), pages 98-117, February.

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