PROGRAMA DE DOCTORADO INTERUNIVERSITARIO DE PSICOLOGÍA DE LAS ORGANIZACIONES Y DEL TRABAJO (DIPOT)

2008

How do different types of intragroup conflict affect group potency in virtual compared with face-to-face teams? A longitudinal study †

Lira, E. M., Ripoll, P., Peiró, J. M., & Orengo, V. (2008)

Abstract

The number of organizations using teamwork is increasing. In this context, group potency has emerged as a key construct in group research. Moreover, in the last decades, information and communication technologies (ICT) have allowed organizations to form virtual teams. Consequently, a considerable amount of research has analysed the functioning of virtual teams. We focus on intragroup conflict as a relevant antecedent of potency in computer-mediated communication groups. Specifically, the aim of this research is to examine the role of ICT in the relationship between intragroup conflict and group potency in a longitudinal study. A laboratory experiment was carried out comparing 44 groups working in two communication media (face-to-face and computer-mediated communication). The groups developed a project over a one-month period. The results show that communication media play a moderator role between intragroup conflict (relationship and task conflict) and group potency. Implications of these results are discussed.

Keywords: Communication media; Group potency; Intragroup conflict; Longitudinal study

Behaviour & Information Technology , 27 (2), 107-114.

† The present study has been developed within the framework of a project sponsored by the Spanish Agency for Research and Development (SEC 2001/3509). It has also been sponsored by the Generalidad Valenciana, Spain (I + D + I groups, 03/195).