Transactive Memory System of a Virtual Team : Theoretical Exploration and Empirical Examination

가상 팀의 교류활성기억 시스템과 팀 성과의 관계 : 가상 팀 속성을 선행요인으로

  • 신경식 (이화여자 대학교, 경영대학) ;
  • 서아영 (이화여자 대학교, 경영대학)
  • Received : 2010.04.22
  • Accepted : 2010.05.14
  • Published : 2010.05.31

Abstract

A virtual team is defined a group of people that use electronic communications for some or all of their interactions with other team members. Because team members of a virtual team are physically and temporally distributed, a team's transactive memory system(TMS) is considered to be crucial for the team's effectiveness and performance. TMS refers to a set of individual memory systems which integrate knowledge possessed by particular members through a shared awareness of who knows what. This paper seeks to understand (1) how a virtual team's TMS influences team performance, and (2) what factors contribute to developing the team's TMS. Given these purposes, through the extensive literature review, we first identified components and antecedents to develop a theoretical model that predicts a virtual team's performance. Using the survey data gathered from 172 virtual teams, this study found that expertise location, coordination, and cognition-based trust which were proposed as three components of TMS positively influenced a virtual team's performance. Furthermore, this study uncovered that perceived media richness, network tie strength, and shared norms significantly influenced the components of TMS, while geographical dispersion did not exert any significant influence on TMS.

가상 팀은 구성원들이 지리적으로 떨어져 있고 기술로 매개된 환경하에서 주로 협업하기 때문에 대면접촉을 위주로 하는 전통적인 팀에 비하여 팀의 교류활성기억 시스템 (Transactive Memory System:TMS) 구축이 더욱 중요한 것으로 간주되고 있다. 본 연구의 목적은 TMS 이론을 중심으로 이론적 고찰 및 선행 변수를 탐색함으로써, 가상 팀의 효과적인운영을 위한 학문적 실무적 시사점을 제공하는 것이다. 이를 위하여 문헌조사를 통하여 가상 팀의 성과를 예측하는 이론적 모형을 개발하였다. 먼저 TMS를 구성하는 세가지 요인, 즉 (1) 전문성 파악, (2) 업무조정, (3) 인지기반 신뢰를 도출하였다. 그리고 TMS의 선행변인으로는 (1) 지각된 매체 풍부성, (2) 네트워크 연결강도, (3) 공유된 규범, (4) 지리적 거리등을 도출하였다. 제시된 이론적 모형을 검증하기 위하여 179개의 가상 팀을 대상으로 경로분석을 실시하였다. 분석결과, 가상 팀의 TMS를 구성하는 세가지 요인, 전문성 파악, 업무조정, 인지기반 신뢰는 가상 팀의 성과를 예측하는 결정적인 요인인 것으로 나타났다. 또한 TMS의 선행변인으로 제시된 지각된 매체 풍부성은 인지기반 신뢰에 유의한 정의 영향을 미치며, 네트워크 연결강도는 업무조정과 인지기반 신뢰에 유의한 정의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 반면, 공유된 규범은 가상 팀의 교류활성기억시스템 구성 요인 세 가지 모두에 유의한 정의 영향을 미치는 것으로 나타났다. 예상과 달리, 구성원들 간의 지리적 거리는 TMS 세 가지 구성 요소 모두에 유의한 영향을 미치지 않았다.

Keywords

References

  1. Ahuja, M. K. and Carley, K. M., "Network Structure in Virtual Organizations," Organization Science, Vol. 10, No. 6, 1999, pp. 741-757. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.10.6.741
  2. Ahuja, M. K. and Galvin, J. E., "Socialization in Virtual Groups," Journal of Management Vol. 29, No. 2, 2003, pp. 161-185.
  3. Ahuja, M. K., Galleta, D. F., and Carley, K. M., "Individual Centrality and Performance in Virtual R&D Groups:and Empirical Study," Management Science, Vol. 49, No. 1, 2003, pp. 21-38. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.49.1.21.12756
  4. Ahn, H. J., Lee, H. J., Cho, K., and Park, S. J., "Utilizing Knowledge Context in Virtual Collaborative Work," Decision Support Systems, Vol. 39, 2005, pp. 536-582.
  5. Argot, L., "Group and Organizational Learning Curves:Individual, System and Environmental Components," British Journal of Social Psychology, Vol. 32, 1993, pp. 31-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-8309.1993.tb00984.x
  6. Argote, L. and Ingram, P., "Knowledge Transfer:A Basis for Competitive Advantage in Firms," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Vol. 82, No. 1, 2000, pp. 150-169. https://doi.org/10.1006/obhd.2000.2893
  7. Borgatti, S. P. and Cross, R., "A Relational View of Information Seeking and Learning in Social Networks" Management Science, Vol. 49, No. 4, 2003, pp. 432-445. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.49.4.432.14428
  8. Burke, K. and Chidambaram, L., "How Much Bandwidth Is Enough? A Longitudinal Examination of Media Characteristics and Group Outcomes," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 4, 1999, pp. 557-580. https://doi.org/10.2307/249489
  9. Carlson, J. R. and Zmud, R. W., "Channel Expansion Theory and the Experimental Nature of Media Richness Perceptions," Academy of Management Journal, Vol. 42, No. 2, 1999, pp. 153-170. https://doi.org/10.2307/257090
  10. Chiu, C. M., Hsu, M. H., and Wang, T. G., "Understanding Knowledge Sharing in Virtual Communities:An Integration of Social Capital and Social Cognitive Theories," Decision Support Systems, Vol. 42, 2006, pp. 1872-1888. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dss.2006.04.001
  11. Cramton, C. D., "The Mutual Knowledge Problem and Its Consequences for Dispersed Collaboration," Organization Science, Vol. 12, No. 3, 2001, pp. 346-371. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.12.3.346.10098
  12. Cummings, J. N., "Work Groups, Structural Diversity, and Knowledge Sharing in a Global Organization," Management Science, Vol. 50, No.3, 2004, pp. 352-364. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1030.0134
  13. Daft, R. and Lengel, R. "Organizational Information Requirements, Media Richness and Structural Design," Management Science, Vol. 32, 1986, pp. 554-571. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.32.5.554
  14. Daft, R., Lengel, R., and Trevino, L.,"Message Equivocality, Media Selection and Manager Performance:Implications for Information Systems," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 17, 1987, pp. 355-366.
  15. Dennis, A. R. and Garfield, M., "The Adoption and Use of GSS in Project Teams:Toward More Participative Process and Outcomes," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2, 2003, pp. 289-323. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036532
  16. DeSanctis G. and Jackson, B., "Coordination of Information Technology Management:Team-based structures and Computer-based Communication Systems," Journal of Management Information Systems, Vol. 10, No. 4, 1994, pp. 85-110. https://doi.org/10.1080/07421222.1994.11518021
  17. DeSanctis, G. and Monge, P., "Introduction to the Special Issue:Communication Process for Virtual Organizations," Organization Science, Vol. 10, No. 6. 1999, pp. 693-703. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.10.6.693
  18. DiMaggio, P. The Twenty-First-Century Firm:Changing Economic Organization in International Perspective. Princeton, NJ:Princeton University Press, 2001.
  19. Edmondson, A. C., "Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams," Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 44, No. 2, 1999, pp. 350-383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
  20. Edmondson, A. C., Dillon, J. R., Roloff, K. S., "Three Perspectives on Team Learning; Outcome Improvement, Task Mastery, and Group Process," The Academy of Management Annals, Vol. 1, 2007, pp. 269-314. https://doi.org/10.1080/078559811
  21. Espinasa, J., Salughter, S. A., Kraut, R., and Herbsleb, J., "Team Knowledge and Coordination in Geographically Distributed Software Development," Journal of Management Information Systems Vol. 24, No. 1, 2007, pp. 135-169. https://doi.org/10.2753/MIS0742-1222240104
  22. Faraj, S. A. and Sproull, L. S., "Coordinating Expertise in Software Development Teams," Management Science, Vol. 46, 2000, pp. 1554-1568. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.46.12.1554.12072
  23. Festinger, L., Schachter, S., and Back, S., Social Pressures in Informal Groups:A Study of Human Factors in Housing, Stanford University Press, Palo Alto, CA, 1950.
  24. Fulk, J., Heino, R., Flanagin, A. J., Monge, P. R., and Bar, F. "A Test of the Individual Action Model for Organizational Information Commons," Organization Science, Vol. 15, 2004, pp. 569-585. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1040.0081
  25. Grabowski, M. and Roberts, K. H.,"Risk Mitigation in Virtual Organizations,"Organization Science, Vol. 10, No. 6, 1999, pp. 704-720. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.10.6.704
  26. Griffith, T. and Neale, M. A., "Information Processing in Traditional, Hybride, and Virtual Teams:From Nascent Knowledge to Transactive Memory," Research in Organizational Behavior, Vol. 23, 2001, pp. 379-421. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0191-3085(01)23009-3
  27. Griffith, T. L., Sawyer, J. E., and Neal, M. A., "Virtualness and Knowledge in Teams:Managing the Love Triangle of Organizations, Individuals, and Information Technology," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2, 2003, pp. 265-287. https://doi.org/10.2307/30036531
  28. Hansen, M. T., "The Search-transfer Problem:The Role of Weak Ties in Sharing Knowledge across Organization Subunits," Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 44, No. 1, 1999, pp. 82-111. https://doi.org/10.2307/2667032
  29. Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin B. J.,Anderson, R. E., and Tatham, R. L.,Multivariate Data Analysis, 6th, Upper Saddle River, NJ:Pearson, 2006.
  30. Heo, M. S. and Cheon, M. J., "A Study on the Impact of Employee's Person-Environment Fit and Information Systems Acceptance Factors on Performance:The Mediating Role of Social Capital," Asia Pacific Journal of Information Systems, Vol. 19, No. 2, 2009, pp. 1-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2575.2008.00323.x
  31. Hertel, G., Geister, S., and Konradt, U.,"Managing Virtual Teams:A review of Current Empirical Research," Human Resource Management Review, Vol. 15, 2005, pp. 69-95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrmr.2005.01.002
  32. Hollingshead, A. B., Fulk, J., and Monge, P., Fostering Internet Knowledge Sharing:An Integration of Transactive Memory and Public Goods Approaches. In p. Hinds, and Kiesler (Eds.), Distributed Work, Cambridge, MA:MIT Press, 2002, pp. 335-336.
  33. Jarvenpaa, S. L., and Leidner, D. E.,"Communication and Trust in Global Virtual Team," Organization Science, Vol. 10, No. 6, 1999, pp. 791-815. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.10.6.791
  34. Kanawattanachia, P. and Yoo, Y., "The Impact of Knowledge Coordination on Virtual Team Performance over Time," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 31, No. 4, 2007, pp. 783-808. https://doi.org/10.2307/25148820
  35. Larsen, K. and McInerney, C. R., "Preparing to Work in the Virtual Organization," Information and Management, Vol. 39, 2002, pp. 445-456. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00108-2
  36. Leonard, D. and Sensiper, S. "The Role of Tacit Knowledge in Group Innovation," California Management Review, Vol. 40, No. 3, 1998, pp. 112-132. https://doi.org/10.2307/41165946
  37. Lewis, K., "Measuring Transactive Memory Systems in the Field:Scale Development and Validation," Journal of Applied Psychology, Vol. 88, No. 4, 2003, pp. 587-603. https://doi.org/10.1037/0021-9010.88.4.587
  38. Lipnack, J. and Stamps, J., Virtual teams-Reaching Across Space, Time, and Organizations with Technology, John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1997.
  39. Lurey, S. J. and Raisinghani, S., "An Empirical Study of Best Practices in Virtual Teams," Information and Management, Vol. 38, 2001, pp. 523-544. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-7206(01)00074-X
  40. Majchrzak, A., Malhotra, A., and John, R., "Perceived Individual Collaboration Know-how Development through Information Technology-Enabled Contextualization:Evidence from Distributed Teams," Information Systems Research, Vol. 16, No. 1, 2005, pp. 9-27. https://doi.org/10.1287/isre.1050.0044
  41. Moreland, R. L., "Transactive Memory :Learning Who Knows What in Work Groups and Organizations," In Shared Cognitions:The Management of Knowledge, Thompson L, Messick D, Levin J (eds). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates :Hillsdale, NJ, 1999, pp. 3-31.
  42. Nunnally, J. C. and Bernstein, I. H.,Psychometric Theory, 3rd Edition, New York:McGraw-Hill, 1994.
  43. O'Leary, M. B. and Cummings J. N.,"The Spatial, Temporal, and Configurational Characteristics of Geographic Dispersion in Teams," MIS Quarterly Vol. 31, No. 1, 2007, pp. 433-452. https://doi.org/10.2307/25148802
  44. Palazzolo, E. T., "Organizing for Information Retrieval in Transactive Memory Systems," Communication Research, Vol. 32, 2005, pp. 726-761. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650205281056
  45. Palazzolo, E. T., Serb, D., She Y., Su,C., and Contractor, N., "Coevolution of Communication and Knowledge Networks in Transactive Memory Systems:Using Computational Models for Theoretical Development," Communication Theory, Vol. 16, 2006, pp. 223-250. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2885.2006.00269.x
  46. Polany, M., The Tacit Dimension, Garden City, NY:Anchor, 1967.
  47. Powell, A., Piccolo, G., and Ives, B.,"Virtual Teams:A review of Current Literature and Directions for Future Research", The Data Base for Advances in Information Systems, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2004, pp. 6-36. https://doi.org/10.1145/968464.968467
  48. Sarker, S., Lau, F., and Sahay, S.,"Using an Adapted Ground Theory Approach for Inductive Theory Building about Virtual Team Development," Database for Advances in Information Systems, Vol. 32, No. 1, 2001, pp. 38-56. https://doi.org/10.1145/506740.506745
  49. Short, J., Williams, E., and Christie, B.,The Social Psychology of Telecommunications, John Wiley and Sons, Ltd.,London, 1976.
  50. Sproull, L. and Kiesler, S. B., "Reducing Social Context Cues:Electronic Mail in Organizational Communication," Management Science, Vol. 32, No. 11, 1986, pp. 1492-1512. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.32.11.1492
  51. Staples, S., J., S. Hulland, C. A. Higgins, "A Self-efficacy Theory Explanation for the Management of Remote Workers in Virtual Organizations," Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, Vol. 3, No. 4, 1998, pp. 758-776.
  52. Suchan, J., Hayzak, G., "The communication Characteristics of Virtual Teams: A Case Study," IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, Vol. 44, No. 3, 2001, pp. 174-186. https://doi.org/10.1109/47.946463
  53. Wegner, D. M., Transactive Memory:A Contemporary Analysis of the Group Mind. In W. J. Ickes (Ed.), Theories of Group Behavior, New York:Springer-Verlag, 1987, pp. 185-208.
  54. Wegner, D. M., "A Computer Network Model of Human Transactive Memory," Social Cognition, Vol. 13, No. 3, 1995, pp. 319-339. https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.1995.13.3.319
  55. Walther, J. B. and Burgoon, J. K., "Relational Communication in Computermediated Interaction," Human Communication Research, Vol. 19, 1992, pp.50-88. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2958.1992.tb00295.x
  56. Walther, J. B., "Interpersonal Effects in Computer-mediated Interaction:A Relational Perspective," Communication Research, Vol. 19, 1992, pp. 52-90. https://doi.org/10.1177/009365092019001003
  57. Wasko, M. M. and Faraj, S., "Why Should I Share? Examining Social Capital and Knowledge Contribution in Electronic Networks of Practice," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 29, No. 1, 2005, pp. 35-57. https://doi.org/10.2307/25148667
  58. Wong, S. S., "Distal and Local Group Learning:Performance Trade-offs and Tensions," Organization Science, Vol. 15, No. 6, 2004, pp. 645-656. https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.1040.0080
  59. Yoo, Y. and Alavi, M., "Media and Group Cohesion:Relative Influences on Social Presence, Task Participation, and Group Consensus," MIS Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 3, 2001, pp. 371-390. https://doi.org/10.2307/3250922
  60. Yuan, Y. C., Fulk, J., and Monge, P. R., "Access to Information in Connective and Communal Transactive Memory Systems," Communication Research, Vol. 34, No. 2. 2007, pp. 131-153. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093650206298067