Title:	PERFORMANCE AND PERCEPTIONS OF SLACKING IN VIRTUAL CROSS-CULTURAL TEAMS
Author(s):	Emmeline de Pillis, Kimberly Furumo, Hank Hennessey, Emad Abu-Shanab
ISBN:	978-972-8939-38-0
Editors:	Miguel Baptista Nunes and Pedro Isaías
Year:	2011
Edition:	Volume II
Keywords:	Social Loafing, Virtual Teams, Hawaii, Jordan, Free Rider
Type:	Short Paper
First Page:	109
Last Page:	113
Language:	English
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Full Contents:	click to dowload
Paper Abstract:	One of the persistent problems with workgroups or teams is members who do not do their share. Slacking (including free riding and social loafing) is more prevalent in virtual teams where an individual’s actions may be less visible. In addition, culture, gender and personal characteristics may affect the propensity for slacking We conducted a virtual team experiment in March 2009 with upper division business students at the University of Hawaii at Hilo and Yarmouk University in Irbid, Jordan. We surveyed team members to determine the relationship among team member characteristics and perceptions of free-riding. Based on previous research in culture and social loafing, we predicted that the Jordanian students would be less likely than the U.S.-located students to be rated as slackers. In fact, the opposite was the case. Participants at the remote site (Jordan) communicated less, contributed less to the final projects, and were significantly more likely to be rated as slackers by their teammates. We found that sex, psychological gender and personality variables were not significant predictors. Self-evaluations were inconsistent with peer evaluations, and perceptions of slacking were widespread; all but one of the 22 teams did not have a slacking member. The highest level of conscientiousness in the team predicted the rating of the team’s final performance, indicating that the most conscientious team members were likely doing most of the work.
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