SENSEMAKING IN VIRTUAL TEAMS:THE IMPACT OF EMOTIONS AND SUPPORT TOOLS ON TEAM MENTAL MODELS AND TEAM PERFORMANCE

摘要

Consider a virtual software development team responsible for developing a web-based tool for a client. Their task is to create a completely new tool that will be custom made according to the client's specifications. The development team meets face-to-face periodically, but most of the time each member of the team works independently. Members of this virtual team typically communicate through electronic media, such as e-mail, chat or shared documents. Initially, different members may hold different mental models about the attributes of the final product and about the development process. But as the project progresses these mental models must somehow converge in order for the project to be successfully completed. They somehow coalesce into a team mental model.