دانلود رایگان مقاله انگلیسی معانی فن آوری ارتباطی در جلسات تیم مجازی: فریم تعامل مربوط به فن آوری - الزویر 2018

abstract

Communication technology is an essential part of virtual teams in working life. This article presents a qualitative study on the meanings of communication technology in virtual team meetings. The study was conducted by examining frames of technology-related virtual team interaction. Observational data was gathered from six expert team meetings. Technology-related communication episodes (N =88) were identified from team interaction and then analyzed by means of frame analysis. Four frame categories were found: the practical frame, work frame, user frame, and relational frame. Team members talked about technological properties and functions as well as giving and receiving technological guidance. They also discussed technology in relation to work tasks, contemplated technology users’ attributes, and built and maintained relationships with technology. The results indicate that virtual team members give meanings to communication technology while interacting. Communication technology has several meanings—it is seen as a tool for work, a reason for uncertainty, a useful benefit, a challenge, an object of competence, an entity of technical properties, a subject of guidance, a way to express closeness, and a shared space. The results presented in this article deepen our understanding of the role communication technology plays in the day-to-day interaction of virtual teams. The results recommend developing both technological systems and team members’ ways of using them, as well as providing opportunities to negotiate the meanings of technology and thus avoid frame disputes. In addition, ensuring that virtual teams use technological systems that support their unique communicational needs is suggested.

5. Discussion

In this article, we explored the meanings attached to communication technology in authentic virtual team interaction by using the frame category analysis. We were aiming to find answers to two overall research questions: (1) how is communication technology framed in virtual teams’ technology-related interaction? and (2) what meanings are given to communication technology in virtual team meetings?

We found that there are four frames that define virtual teams’ technology-related interaction: practical frame, work frame, user frame, and relational frame (see Fig. 1). Team members comment on the technology’s properties, provide guidance on the use of technology, negotiate the technology users’ attributes, and maintain and develop relationships by using the technology. By framing the technology-related conversation in teams, we were able to outline what communication technology means for them.

Nine technology-related meanings were interpreted on the basis of the frames. The technological platform was portrayed as an entity of technical properties, a challenge to manage, and a subject of guidance. It was meaningful as a tool and a useful benefit with many possibilities.