Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to propose a model for a flexible coordination structure for the decision-making process of virtual groups, of which the interaction process is facilitated through Group Support Systems. Design/Methodology/Approach - A literature review was used to develop the model. An experiment was designed in a laboratory setting to test the model’s claimsfor a flexible coordination structure in supporting virtual group interactions. Findings - The performance of virtual groupsinteracting via flexible coordination structures wasfound better than that of virtual teams with restrictive coordination structure Research Implication - With the coming of powerful Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) and Network Computing in general, many organizations are adopting virtual group interaction support tools to provide tools for virtual group interactions between members dispersed over time and geography. These tools are, however, restrictive in a sense that all interactions take place simply by responding to tool requirements for interaction coordination. This study suggests that these tools must be flexible in such a way that groups should be able to mix and match the available capabilities of tool of Group Support Systems,so that the groups themselves gradually find the best coordination structure compatible with group characteristics in terms of the group’s degree of virtuality, member profiles, and task type.
I. Introduction
II. Theoretical Background: A Literature Review
III. Research Framework: Coordination-Cognitive Fit Model
IV. Research Design and Hypotheses Development
V. Research Methodology: Research Design: The 2 x 2 Factorial Design
VI. Statistical Analysis
VII. Findings, Conclusion and Future Research
References
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