antecedents and consequences of identification with virtual teams: structural characteristics and justice concerns

1. Antecedents and Consequences of Identification with Virtual Teams: Structural Characteristics and Justice Concerns Marko Hakonena, Jukka Lipponenb a Helsinki University of Technology b University of Helsinki ITA 2007 Workshop

3. Introduction (2/2) Structural antecedents of identification how does virtuality affect identification? task interdependence has been suggested to be crucial for VTs (Hertel & al., 2004) -> does this mean that it fosters formation of shared identity? The role of perceived justice only one study on justice in telework (Kurland & Egan, 1999) in collocated settings perceived fairness has been shown to enhance social (group) identification and via that extra-role behaviors: does this hold in VTs? This study examination of the above questions and especially: testing social identity approach in a new setting bringing the justice research to the realm of eWork

4. Concepts Structural variables virtuality (here) = low amount of face-to-face (FTF) interaction (see Kirkman & al., 2004) task interdependence = strength of coupling of task between individuals in a group (Campion & al., 1993) Identification (Ashforth & Mael, 1989) the perception of oneness with or belonging to a group Distributive justice (Deutsch, 1985) perceived fairness of outcome distributions (rewards, resources) Procedural justice (Lind & Tyler, 1988) perceived fairness of decision making procedures Extra-role behaviors (Dune & al., 1995) behavior that benefits the team which is discretionary and goes beyond role expectations

5. Theoretical reasoning (1/2) Identification in positively related to extra-role behaviors (H1) social identity approach: self definition in terms of group membership (social categorization) ? social identification with the group (as opposed to personal identity) ? positive self image ? identification is a strong motivational factor ? extra-role behaviors (e.g. Tajfel & Turner, 1979) Virtuality is negatively related to VT identification (H2) high virtuality blurs social category (VT) salience (Fiol & O�Connor, 2005) and highlights personal identity Task interdependence is positively related to VT identification (H3) Hertel & al. (2004): �the organizing principle of VTs� also: coordination needs caused by high task interdependence makes the VT salient as a social category

6. Theoretical reasoning (2/2) The effects of structural variables on extra-role behaviors are mediated by identification (H4) Hertel & al�s (2004) studies indicate that structure is related to behavior via motivational construct identification is a strong motivational factor Justice perceptions are related to identification (H5, H6) group-value model (Lind & Tyler, 1988) and later group engagement model (Blader & Tyler, 2005) of justice argue that especially fair procedures convey social identity relevant information (one is valued when treatment is perceived to be fair) this could apply to distributive justice as well: equity perceptions are related to self-esteem (De Cremer, 2002) The effects of justice variables on extra-role behaviors are mediated by identification (H7) this claim is explicit in group engagement model and has gained empirical support in collocated settings (e.g. Olkkonen & Lipponen, 2006)

7. Hypothesized model

8. Data and methods Data from 14 virtual teams web-based questionnaire from 8 companies in different branches; mainly IT industry sampling criteria: geographical distribution & mainly ICT based interaction 102 acceptable responses; response rate = 59% analysis in individual level; aggregation to team level would have required more groups 14 nationalities from three continents Measures (see the full paper) virtuality (Kirkman & al., 2004); task interdependence (Campion & al., 1993); identification (Mael & Ashfoth, 1992); procedural justice (based on Moorman, 1991 and Tyler & Blader, 2000), distributive justice (Moorman, 1991), extra-role behaviors (Olkkonen & Lipponen, 2006) Hierarchical multiple regression analysis (SPSS)

9. Result model

10. Discussion (1/2) Virtuality or rather the amount of FTF interaction was not related to identification at first glance rather surprising however, SIDE effects could explain this: mediated communication is anonymous and hence VT becomes salient as a social entity -> category salience effects can be mixed or reversed (e.g. Reicher & al., 1995 ) Task interdependence was important its effect on behavioral outcomes is mediated by VT identification this is in line with Hertel & al�s (2004) theorizing Procedural justice mattered communicates identity relevant information also in VTs + the effect on behavior is mediated by VT identification = support for group engagement model of justice in virtual settings

11. Discussion (2/2) Distributive justice was not related to identification teams have limited power to allocate resources -> allocations are not that important source of social identity cues VT-level identity was crucial for effective cooperation in VTs social identity approach has explanatory power in virtual settings Limitations cross-sectional design; small sample -> no group-level analysis longitudinal set-ups are important in the future Further research testing the justice effects and social identity approach based propositions in more detail trust in often studied in VTs (e.g. Jarvenpaa & Leidner, 1999) and it is closely related to justice -> how these are related/interact?

12. Implications How to enhance cooperation beyond job descriptions in VTs? interdependence (tight coupling) of tasks is one key organizing principle in VTs transparency and other aspects of perceived procedural justice in decision making procedures are essential these two practices enhance formation of shared identification with VT shared identity, in turn, motivates VT members to discretionary cooperation towards common goals