Behavioral complexity theory of media selection: a proposed theory for global virtual teams

Authors:
Pnina Shachaf;Noriko Hara
Affiliations:
School of Library and Information Science, 1320 E 10th St, LI025, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-3907, USA;School of Library and Information Science, 1320 E 10th St, LI025, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405-3907, USA
Venue:
Journal of Information Science
Year:
2007

Citing 9
Cited 5

Reducing social context cues: electronic mail in organizational communication

Management Science
Organizational information requirements, media richness and structural design

Management Science
Message equivocality, media selection and manager performance: implications for information systems

MIS Quarterly
Beyond being there

CHI '92 Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Electronic mail as a medium for rich communication: an empirical investigation using hermeneutic interpretation

MIS Quarterly
Impact of communication medium on task performance and satisfaction: an examination of media-richness theory

Information and Management
When culture and style aren't about clothes: perceptions of task-technology "fit" in global virtual teams

GROUP '01 Proceedings of the 2001 International ACM SIGGROUP Conference on Supporting Group Work
Bridging Space Over Time: Global Virtual Team Dynamics and Effectiveness

Organization Science
Leadership Effectiveness in Global Virtual Teams

Journal of Management Information Systems

Cultural diversity and information and communication technology impacts on global virtual teams: An exploratory study

Information and Management
Disengaging from a distributed research project: Refining a model of group departures

Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology
Exploring the effects of online social ties on knowledge sharing: A comparative analysis of collocated vs dispersed teams

Journal of Information Science
Contextual constraints in media choice: Beyond information richness

Decision Support Systems
Toward a Model for Intercultural Communication in Simulations

Simulation and Gaming

Quantified Score

Hi-index	0.00

Visualization

Abstract

This study proposes a behavioral complexity theory for media selection in global virtual teams. This theory captures multiple contingencies into one holistic approach to media selection. Unlike existing linear and mechanistic theories of media selection, this heuristic theory moves away from the universal models that were previously proposed. The behavioral complexity theory assumes ambiguity and complexity of the media selection process in a nonlinear, organic, and holistic way. Behavioral complexity theory of media selection emphasizes the role of media repertoire, the ability of individuals to differentiate situations according to multiple contingencies, and their flexibility to effectively use multiple media in any particular situation. This theory is examined in the context of an exploratory case study of global virtual teams' media selection in one of the leading Fortune 500 corporations.