Exploring Technological Affordances for Knowledge Sharing in Global Outsourcing Teams

• In Event: Exploring the Role of Technological Affordances for Processes of Organizing

Abstract

Geographically dispersed teammates are increasingly relying on a wide range of communication technologies. Earlier research has suggested that distant colleagues struggle to feel connected to each other and identify with their team and the organization as a whole. New technologies such as enterprise social media may help build both team and organizational identification by fostering connections among colleagues regardless of their prior level of familiarity with each other. The focus of this study is to examine the role of affordances associated with various technologies including email, instant messaging, collaborative software, and enterprise social media used by globally distributed teams for organizational and team processes including knowledge sharing, coordination, and identification. The study analyzes survey data and interviews from 40 teams in a global software outsourcing firm that were distributed in client locations in the United States, Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine.

Authors

• Julia Eisenberg, Rutgers U

• Jennifer L. Gibbs, Rutgers U

• Nik Ahmad Rozaidi, Rutgers University/Bank Negara Malaysia