The surge in digitalization: new challenges for team member collaboration

The pandemic-induced surge in digitalization is associated with challenges for team member collaboration. In this chapter, we summarize the state of research based on a model of team collaboration. We find that the surge of digitalization primarily threatens the performance of interdependent, hierarchically differentiated teams that rely on specialized skills - as is typical in skilled knowledge work. Empirical studies indicate a strong correlation between the degree of virtuality and the performance of a team. This correlation is moderated by trust and team mental models. The higher the virtuality the more difficult it is to build trust and develop team mental models which in turn can impede team performance. Against this background, we discuss how to master the increased level of virtuality in distributed teams. A work design model proposed by Parker & Grote (2019) for coping with the digitalization of work is presented and elaborated upon. Finally, we present results from the empirical literature on how targeted work design can intensify trust relationships and improve team mental models and how a holistic socio-technical design approach that goes beyond classic HRM measures and incorporates technology and organizational design is appropriate.