Working Paper
This Perspectives article seeks to redirect research on distributed (also referred to as virtual)
groups, a well-established organizational phenomenon in which group members are separated by one
or more forms of distance (e.g., geographic or temporal).
Such distances directly affect individual
behavior and shape other features of the context that alter group processes (e.g., by forcing groups to
adopt new communication tools). Prior research has examined isolated effects of various dimensions
of virtuality without considering how these effects on individual behavior and group dynamics might
have conceptually-related underpinnings.
To address this gap, the authors propose an extension of construal
level theory as a way to link the effects of virtuality through a common mediating mechanism.
According to construal level theory, events or objects that are physically- or temporally-distant are
also distant psychologically and thus are likely to be described in terms of their general
characteristics.
In contrast, views of more proximal events or objects will be more detailed and
nuanced.
The authors develop propositions that illustrate how objective dimensions of distance create
psychological distance and how that, in turn, affects how individuals view and interact with their
teammates.
The authors also develop propositions that show how the context of the distributed group (e.g.,
technology usage) affects this process over time. The authors compare and link this construal-based approach
to alternatives based in theories of computer-mediated communication and social identity, and
thereby show that construal level theory offers both parsimonious explanations and novel predictions
about how and why distance alters perceptions of distributed group members (including one's self).
Finally, the authors consider theoretical and practical implications of construal level theory for future
organization science research and the management of virtual teams.
Faculty
Associate Professor of Organisational Behaviour
