Faculty Publications

Team Coordination In Uncertain Environments: The Role Of Processual Communication Networks

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Coordination, Networks, Structuration, Teams, Uncertainty

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Human Communication Research

Volume

46

Issue

4

First Page

385

Last Page

411

Abstract

The ways in which teams coordinate are critical to navigating today's turbulent environment. Communication networks have been theorized to be a key factor for accomplishing team coordination. However, empirical research has largely taken a static approach by viewing communication networks as material, structural arrangements, which we call structural communication networks (SCNs). Informed by network structuration theory, we articulate a complementary approach, called processual communication networks (PCNs), which views communication networks as episodic, dynamic, and sequential. To test this, we conducted a multi-team experiment of 62 teams embedded in a virtual world where their primary Objective: was to coordinate an attack on a group of insurgents. Using relational event modeling to capture the dynamics of PCNs, we hypothesized and found support for the role of PCNs as a mediator of SCNs and an indicator of structural appropriation. Moreover, highly decentralized PCNs positively predicted coordination, regardless of whether they were faithfully or ironically appropriated.

Department

Department of Communication and Media

Original Publication Date

10-1-2020

DOI of published version

10.1093/hcr/hqz020

Repository

UNI ScholarWorks, Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa

Language

en

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