Strengthening perceptions of virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness in new normal: A hyperpersonal communication theory perspective

Abstract

In the post-pandemic era, many team management challenges arise in multinational organisations along with the pervasion of virtual teamwork collaboration, such as workplace isolation (an unsatisfied need for belongingness). However, little is known about the psychological mechanisms required for solving this context-specific challenge by strengthening virtual team cohesiveness and effectiveness. Accordingly, this study adopts the hyperpersonal communication theory derived from Walther’s hyperpersonal model of computer-mediated communication (CMC) to provide an alternative theoretical explanation to understand better how individuals perceive their team cohesiveness and effectiveness in the specific CMC setting. Supported by 549 valid responses, I illuminate how mutual assistance as a typical interaction among CMC team members cultivates benevolent norms and facilitates members’ perceptions of team cohesiveness and effectiveness. More importantly, this study opens the door for future research on management interventions that can help enhance team cohesiveness and effectiveness at the individual perception level.