Communication in Multigenerational Project Teams During the Covid-19 Pandemic: The Perspective of Team Members

Abstract

Purpose: The article presents empirical research that sheds light on how project managers communicated with their team members during the COVID-19 pandemic. Communication in multigenerational project teams during the COVID-19 pandemic posed challenges for both team members and project managers, but it also opened up new possibilities for project management. Design/Methodology/Approach: The aim of this article is to diagnose barriers and disruptions in the communication process within multigenerational project teams during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as to identify the tools and communication technologies used by project managers during the pandemic. Empirical research also provides an assessment of the tools and communication technologies used by team members and their analysis. Findings: Communication has a significant impact on the quality of project team management; therefore, it is crucial to adapt communication tools and technologies to the capabilities and expectations of team members. Team members often come from different generations, so it is important to understand their strengths and weaknesses and select communication tools and technologies in a way that satisfies both team members and project managers in terms of the project's outcomes. Practical implications: The article identified communication tools and technologies used in multigenerational teams during the COVID-19 pandemic and presented an evaluation and analysis of these tools and technologies from the perspective of team members. The findings of the empirical research can be utilized in times of crisis when project teams are exclusively working remotely. The presented results can be used to establish a code of best practices. Originality/Value: The authors present the effective use of communication tools and technologies in managing diverse project teams during times of exclusive remote work, which positively impacts project management effectiveness and stakeholder satisfaction. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the transition of most activities to the virtual realm, meaning that different generations had to adapt their communication preferences to online tools. The need to utilize video conferencing platforms and online chats contributed to greater intergenerational integration in communication.