The Role of Motivational Systems and Emotions in Virtual Work

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of the behavioural activation system (BAS), the behavioural inhibition system (BIS) and emotions in virtual work. BIS was found to have significant positive relationships with anger, anxiety, annoyance, nervousness, and distress. There were indications of emotional contagion between research confederates and participants. Self-report skill knowledge and the skill role of the research confederate both had significant relationships with performance. Self-report skill knowledge was fully mediated by the skill role played by the research confederate. Managers of virtual teams need to be aware of individual differences such as motivational systems and how these interact with state emotions and performance.