| Communicating Trust in the Inter-Organizational Virtual Organization |
| | Fuehrer, Eva C. | Karl Franzens U. Graz | fuehrer@kfunigraz.ac.at | 011-43-67-6521-9599 |
| | Ashkanasy, Neal M. | U. of Queensland | ashkanasy@commerce.uq.edu.au | 011 61 7 3365 7499 |
| | Network organizations such as the inter-organizational virtual organization (VO) lack traditional methods of hierarchical control. As a consequence, trust between VO members has taken on a central role in the organization design of VOs. In VOs, however, there are obstacles to trust building. One impediment is the temporary character of VOs that results in a time constraint on the generation of trust, and a need for "swift trust". Another obstruction is the lack of a shared organization culture. Also, in VOs, the interaction process between the members is based on information and communication technology (ICT) and computer mediated communication (CMC). Communication of non-verbal and emotional cues, critical in trust building activities, is impeded in this environment, however. Furthermore, in addition to the usual problems in interpersonal communication such as misunderstandings or cultural differences, ICT and CMC entail technological difficulties, including incompatibility of systems and unreliable networks.
In this paper, we propose a conceptual model of communication of trust in inter-organization VOs. The model highlights three issues that must be dealt with if the potential obstacles to communication of trust in the virtual context are to be overcome. These are the need for appropriate ICT, a common business understanding, and strong business ethics. Finally, we raise a number of issues to be explored in future research. |
| | Keywords: virtual organization; trust; communication |
| Development of expertise coordination patterns in electronic teams |
| | Citurs, Alex B. | Case Western Reserve U. | abc4@po.cwru.edu | (216)-368-2114 |
| | Yoo, Youngjin | Case Western Reserve U. | yxy23@po.cwru.edu | (216)-368-0790 |
| | This longitudinal study examines patterns of expertise coordination among members of electronic teams who were geographically dispersed and communicated primarily via electronic mail. The study began with the finding that the contents and the structure of messages distinctly changed over time. In particular, changes in the contents of messages involving the coordination of expertise and when the changes occurred in relation to project deliverable due dates were observed. The team communication pattern changes did not follow traditional group development models of gradual changes, but instead the punctuated equilibrium model (Gersick, 1988). The findings indicate that team members over time increasingly utilize implicit communications in e-mail messages to refer to knowledge and expertise held by team members. The changes in the level of implicit communication occur between distinct punctuated time period. The findings also indicate that, although implicit messages are shorter than explicit messages, the average length of e-mail messages did not decrease in the second half due to the increased intensity of task activities. Finally, a large number of messages incorporated themes of expertise coordination with themes explicitly addressing administrative logistics activities. Implications for future research and management are also provided. |
| | Keywords: expertise coordination; electronic mail; group development |
| Diffusion Processes: Remote Collaboration Technologies in the Media Production Industries |
| | Baker, Ellen . | U. of Technology, Sydney | | |
| | Geirland, John | Loyola Marymount U. | Geirland@aol.com | (818)-760-4978 |
| | Fisher, Tom | U. of Technology, Sydney | tom.fisher@uts.edu.au | +61-2-9514-3191 |
| | Chandler, Annmarie | U. of Technology, Sydney | annmarie.chandler@uts.edu.au | +61-2-9514-2292 |
| | This paper utilizes Rogers' model of the diffusion of innovations to examine the adoption by the media production industries of "technology clusters" which can support remote collaboration. Interviews were conducted with early adopters of advanced electronic networks in Sydney, Los Angeles and London. These interviews assessed: 1) user reactions to these collaboration technologies and types of activities being supported, 2) factors influencing their adoption decisions, and 3) conditions likely to facilitate remote collaboration.
It was established that electronic delivery, remote access to resources and materials, and remote creative collaboration were all being carried out, even internationally. Although most network applications were routine substitutions for non-electronic equivalents (e.g. couriers or catalog browsing), some did involve shared creative activities, thus confirming that remote creative collaboration is a viable option.
Key factors influencing network adoption were cost considerations and regulatory issues, time savings and productivity, and security concerns. Certain industry segments - animation, post-production, and advertising - were more likely to be early adopters, as were companies that found innovative ways to achieve greater benefits. Conditions likely to facilitate remote collaboration include more sophisticated change-agent strategies, increasing the perceived control of creative outputs, developing and maintaining trust, providing more auxiliary support for coordination needs, making more effective use of timing and time-zone differences, and avoiding typical groupware implementation problems. |
| | Keywords: Diffusion of innovations; Collaboration technologies; Media production |