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Gender and Anonymity in Virtual Teams: An Exploratory Study

Gender and Anonymity in Virtual Teams: An Exploratory Study
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Author(s): Elizabeth Koh (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Na Liu (National University of Singapore, Singapore)and John Lim (National University of Singapore, Singapore)
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 16
Source title: Gender and Social Computing: Interactions, Differences and Relationships
Source Author(s)/Editor(s): Celia Romm Livermore (Wayne State University, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-60960-759-3.ch001

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Abstract

With the advancement of information and communication technology, virtual teams are becoming more popular as geographical constraints in collaboration have become a non-issue. Features of the technology and characteristics of the group influence interaction processes and outcomes. Two elements are the focus of this paper. The first is anonymity, which has been made feasible by technology. The other concerns gender. Gender is an important research target, and its role in groupwork must not be overlooked. Both elements have aroused much interest across multiple research fields. The existing literature shows their potential in influencing team collaboration processes, satisfaction, and performance. In this paper, the authors present a process-based interpretation of virtual team collaboration, incorporating the anonymity of technology and the gender difference of team members. Using a multiple case study approach, the paper identifies a key set of process variables that shape team performance. The study also examines the interdependencies among the processes. Task-related activity that occurred during team discussion was affected by gender anonymity, and this influenced group performance and members’ satisfaction toward the collaboration process. Group dynamics, including member awareness, leader emergence, and member’s conformity, are salient process variables that affect the virtual team performance as well.

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