The Role of Virtual Distance in Innovation and Success

Abstract

Although prior research has tended to dichotomize work teams as virtual or non-virtual, most project teams today involve some mix of face-to-face and virtual interaction. We develop a construct called Virtual Distance ® that includes temporal, spatial and relational facets and apply it to 115 project teams. We propose that virtual distance will influence trust, goal clarity and organizational citizenship and will indirectly have an influence on innovativeness and project success. Our results showed that virtual distance had significant influences on trust, goal clarity and OCB and indirectly influenced innovation and success. The results have implications for the selection and management of teams that are geographically dispersed and interact virtually.