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Individual Centrality and Performance in Virtual R& D Groups: An Empirical Study

Author

Listed:
  • Manju K. Ahuja

    (Kelley School of Business, Information Systems Department, Indiana University, 1309 East Tenth Street, Bloomington, Indiana 47405)

  • Dennis F. Galletta

    (Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260)

  • Kathleen M. Carley

    (Department of Social & Decision Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, 208 Porter Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213)

Abstract

Communication technologies support virtual R&D groups by enabling immediate and frequent interaction of their geographically-distributed members. Performance of members in such groups has yet to be studied longitudinally. A model proposes not only direct effects of functional role, status, and communication role on individual performance, but also indirect effects through individual centrality. Social network analysis was performed on e-mail samples from two time periods separated by four years. Analysis revealed both direct and indirect effects as hypothesized; however, the indirect effects were more consistent in both time periods. The clearest findings were that centrality mediates the effects of functional role, status, and communication role on individual performance. Interestingly, centrality was a stronger direct predictor of performance than the individual characteristics considered in this study. The study illustrates the usefulness of accounting for network effects for better understanding individual performance in virtual groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Manju K. Ahuja & Dennis F. Galletta & Kathleen M. Carley, 2003. "Individual Centrality and Performance in Virtual R& D Groups: An Empirical Study," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(1), pages 21-38, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:ormnsc:v:49:y:2003:i:1:p:21-38
    DOI: 10.1287/mnsc.49.1.21.12756
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lee Sproull & Sara Kiesler, 1986. "Reducing Social Context Cues: Electronic Mail in Organizational Communication," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(11), pages 1492-1512, November.
    2. Manju K. Ahuja & Kathleen M. Carley, 1999. "Network Structure in Virtual Organizations," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 10(6), pages 741-757, December.
    3. Dennis F. Galletta & R. L. Heckman, 1990. "A Role Theory Perspective on End-User Development," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 1(2), pages 168-187, June.
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