A STUDY OF COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION IN COLLABORATIVE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT
Reza Barkhi ,Virginia Polytechnic Institute & StateUniversity, Ali Amiri, Oklahoma
StateUniversity, and Tabitha L. James, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University
Examined are the communication, coordination, and satisfaction of members as they
work with both co-located and remote members in virtual software development teams.
Results indicate that virtual teams can have communication and coordination problems if
not properly managed but successful virtual teams can work effectively despite the lean
electronic communication. Members who use a lean communication mode are more likely to break communication with their team members and tend to be more critical of the contributions of their remote members. Our results suggest that successful teams communicate information that is perceived to have value and develop a shared context within the communication and coordination structure.
