The perceived effects of technology on product management team collaboration

The paradigm of using technology to facilitate collaboration across teams and organization indicates an increased importance in understanding the current known effects of technology on collaboration. Such effects can negatively impact collaboration (communication and coordination) reducing common knowledge and understanding, hampering performance across virtual teams. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental study was to determine and measure the perceived effectiveness of information exchange over different mediums (synchronous and asynchronous modes of interaction) for the purpose of collaboration (communication and coordination) within a Federal Integrated Product Team (IPT). A statistical One-way Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA), within group repeated measures was implemented to measure perceived effectiveness of information exchange in terms of collaboration across Face-to-Face (FtF), teleconference, Instant Messaging (IM) and Email). Sixty IPT members voluntarily participated in a survey measuring perceived effects in information exchange for communication and coordination. Results indicated significant differences in IM, teleconferencing and Email when compared to FtF and significant differences between IM/teleconferencing and Email. These findings indicate technology has effects on information exchange for purposes of collaboration and the type of technology (synchronous and asynchronous) can have differing effects. Implications for management and leadership are to manage suites of technology and implement strategies to use technology to better support collaborative activities and enhance team performance.