The Spatial, Temporal, and Configurational Characteristics of Geographic Dispersion in Teams1
O’Leary, Michael Boyer, Cummings, Jonathon N.
Management Information Systems Quarterly · 2007 · Volume 31 · Issue 3
Abstract
As organizations operate across greater distances, scholars are increasingly interested in the work of geographically dispersed teams and the technologies that they use to communicate and coordinate their work. However, research has generally not specified the dimensions (spatial, temporal, or configurational) and degrees of team dispersion, nor has it articulated the theoretical connections between those dimensions and important team outcomes. This research essay expands upon previous field and lab studies of dispersed teamwork by presenting a new conceptualization of dispersion as a continuous, multidimensional construct, in which each dimension is theoretically linked with different outcomes. We illustrate this new conceptualization with a series of examples from real dispersed teams and present implications for research regarding technology use.
Keywords
Geographically dispersed teams, virtual teams, dispersion, distance, configuration, technology use
Enable JavaScript for citation tools and additional paper interactions.