The impact of team characteristics and context on team communication: An integrative literature review. (April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tiferes, Judith; Bisantz, Ann M.
• Is Part Of: Applied ergonomics. Volume 68(2018)
• Page Start: 146
• Page End: 159
• Publication Date: 2018-04
• Subjects: Human engineering -- Periodicals; 620.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2017.10.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-6870

Abstract

Abstract: Many studies on teams report measures of team communication; however, these studies vary widely in terms of the team characteristics, situations, and tasks studied making it difficult to understand impacts on team communication more generally. The objective of this review is systematically summarize relationships between measures of team communication and team characteristics and situational contexts. A literature review was conducted searching in four electronic databases (PsycINFO, MEDLINE, Ergonomics Abstracts, and SocINDEX). Additional studies were identified by cross-referencing. Articles included for final review had reported at least one team communication measure associated with some team and/or context dimension. Ninety-nine of 727 articles met the inclusion criteria. Data extracted from articles included characteristics of the studies and teams and the nature of each of the reported team and/or context dimensions–team communication properties relationships. Some dimensions (job role, situational stressors, training strategies, cognitive artifacts, and communication media) were found to be consistently linked to changes in team communication. A synthesized diagram that describes the possible associations between eleven team and context dimensions and nine team communication measures is provided along with research needs. Highlights: A systematic literature review summarized relationships between communication measures and team characteristics and situational contexts. Job role, situational stressors, cognitive artifacts, and communication media were consistently linked to changes in team communication. Less research has been conducted about team member experience and familiarity, geographic distribution, team size, and hierarchical structure.