Computer-mediated immediate behaviors and their impact on structural divergence in superior-subordinate relationships

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic brought about significant changes in how people communicate with, and participate in, organizations. This study used structurational divergence to explore the extent to which, during the time of COVID-19, organizational members experienced communication tensions between superiors and subordinates. This study of 956 participants’ experiences suggests that, during a time of upheaval when there is less opportunity for face-to-face communication, supervisors must be cognizant of their use of computer-mediated immediate behaviors. If they do this well, they can ameliorate subordinates’ experiences of structural divergence and reduced efficacy of organizations.