An analysis of predictors of team satisfaction in product development teams with differing levels of virtualness

• Published in: R & D management Vol. 39; no. 5; pp. 461 - 472
• Main Authors: Stark, Eric M., Bierly III, Paul E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2009
• Subjects: Impact analysis; Preferences; Product development; Studies; Teams
• ISSN: 0033-6807; 1467-9310
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9310.2009.00571.x

The purpose of this study is to empirically examine and assess the moderating effects of extent of virtualness on a variety of well‐established predictors of new product development team satisfaction. We focus our study on 178 different new product development teams from a variety of industries and use extent of virtualness as a structural characteristic of the teams, measuring it on a continuum. The predictors of team satisfaction we studied are relationship conflict, familiarity, goal clarity and preference for group work. Primary findings include: (1) relationship conflict has a more deleterious effect on team member satisfaction as teams become more virtual, mainly because it is very difficult for team members of virtual teams to resolve their interpersonal disputes; (2) the relationship between preference for group work and team satisfaction is moderated by extent of virtualness, such that preference for group work increases team satisfaction more as virtualness increases; (3) goal clarity and familiarity are not moderated by extent of virtualness, but have a significant direct effect on team satisfaction. Managerial and research implications of these findings relative to new product development teams are also discussed.