THE SPATIAL, TEMPORAL, AND CONFIGURATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS OF GEOGRAPHIC DISPERSION IN TEAMS.

Author List: O'Leary, Michael Boyer; Cummings, Jonathon N.;
MIS Quarterly, 2007, Volume 31, Issue 3, Page 433-452.
As organizations operate across greater distances, scholars are increasingly interested in the work of geographically dispersed teams and the technologies that they use to communicate and coordinate their work. However, research has generally not specified the dimensions (spatial, temporal, or configurational) and degrees of team dispersion, nor has it articulated the theoretical connections between those dimensions and important team outcomes. This research essay expands upon previous field and lab studies of dispersed teamwork by presenting a new conceptualization of dispersion as a continuous, multidimensional construct, in which each dimension is theoretically linked with different outcomes. We illustrate this new conceptualization with a series of examples from real dispersed teams and present implications for research regarding technology use.
Keywords: Geographically dispersed teams; virtual teams; dispersion; distance; configuration; technology use
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#256 0.195 coordination mechanisms work contingencies boundaries temporal coordinating vertical associated activities different coordinate suggests dispersed coordinated horizontal relative demand spatial hours
#87 0.162 team teams virtual members communication distributed performance global role task cognition develop technology involved time individual's affects project geographically individuals
#263 0.109 instrument measurement factor analysis measuring measures dimensions validity based instruments construct measure conceptualization sample reliability development develop responses assess use
#21 0.088 research information systems science field discipline researchers principles practice core methods area reference relevance conclude set focus propose perspective inquiry
#48 0.077 dimensions electronic multidimensional game transactions relative contrast channels theory sustained model predict dimension mixture evolutionary results unique traditional likely finite
#155 0.073 technology research information individual context acceptance use technologies suggests need better personality factors new traits telemedicine adoption examined does management
#227 0.060 commitment need practitioners studies potential role consider difficult models result importance influence researchers established conduct investigated establishing appear clearly determining