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Dissertation Information for Mike D. Workman

NAME:
- Mike D. Workman
- (Alias) Michael D. Workman

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Human Resource Development

SCHOOL:
- Georgia State University (USA) (2000)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: The effects of cognitive style and communications media on commitment to telework and virtual team innovations among information systems teleworkers

Abstract: "Telework and virtual teams are seen as strategic organizational innovations with potential benefits to individuals, business, and society. Despite rapid growth of telework and virtual team innovations, very little empirical research has been done to investigate what causes them to succeed and diffuse throughout organizations. Consequently, adoption rates have been lower than many predictions, and failure rates are estimated to range between 20% and 50%. This dissertation extends the body of knowledge about these innovations through an empirical study using commitment theory, information richness theory, and the theory of mental self-government. The theoretical framework used to guide the exploration of these phenomena employs the model of triadic reciprocality. This model is useful in decomposing the implementation stage of innovations to indicate what success factors might be involved.

As with any innovation, successful implementations of telework and virtual teams rely heavily on the commitment of those involved. Commitment theory posits an active relationship where employees give something of themselves to contribute to an innovation's success. Commitment is a general attitude that moderates whether people intend to stay with an organization and exert effort in performing their duties.

Information richness theory explicates the interaction between media and people. It states that media have different information carrying capacities in terms of feedback capability, types of expression, number of cues, and shared context budding capability. Information richness theory forms the basis for explaining the communicative environment that leads to whether or not people come to identify with the functions they perform and people with whom they work.

Finally, training, intelligence, and experience do not fully explain why some people continue to perform well in different assignments while other fail when transferred or tasks change. Cognitive style influences how people gather and process information that enables them to interpret and manage changes in situations. The theory of mental self-government explains the relationships of cognitive styles to dispersed work and technologically mediated interactions on commitment.

This study found that certain cognitive styles and media are more likely than others to contribute to commitment to the telework function and to virtual teams. As a result, specific recommendations are made for teleworker selection, development, and for the design of the telework environment."

MPACT Scores for Mike D. Workman

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2008-01-31 06:30:30

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