Title: The effect of virtuality on individual network centrality and performance in on-going, distributed teams

Authors: Priscilla A. Arling; Mani Subramani

Addresses: College of Business, Butler University, 4600 Sunset Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46208, USA. ' Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, 321, 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

Abstract: For distributed teams to succeed, individuals must interact successfully within team social networks. To understand individual performance in distributed teams, we consider a multi-dimensional view of individual virtuality and its relationship with centrality in the team's face-to-face network and ICT network. We leverage social network theory and hierarchically analyse data from 254 individuals in 18 teams. We find that members with higher dispersion are less central in the face-to-face network while those with higher ICT use are more central in the ICT network. Centrality in the ICT network, but not centrality in the face-to-face network, is positively related to performance. The results provide insights for academics and practitioners on how to improve individual performance in distributed teams.

Keywords: network centrality; individual networks; individual performance; on-going teams; distributed teams; individuals; interaction; multi-dimensional views; individual virtuality; face-to-face networks; hierarchical analysis; higher dispersion; performance improvement; virtual teams; social networking; networks; social network analysis; ICT; information technology; communications technology; enterprise management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIEM.2011.045111

International Journal of Internet and Enterprise Management, 2011 Vol.7 No.4, pp.325 - 348

Published online: 25 Apr 2015 *

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