Scale development and validation of shared mental models of information and communication technology (ICT SMM)

Purpose: Virtual teams are on the rise and many companies are implementing them to compete for the most talented experts. However, the use of information and communication technology (ICT), on which virtual teams depend, often ends in communication chaos. Research has shown that shared mental models (SMM), which are knowledge structures on team level, enhance team communication. In teams, which use ICTs, shared mental models of ICTs (ICT SMM) seem to be important. However, few studies that investigated ICT SMM have used different measurements that restrict their generalization. The purpose of this study is to define ICT SMM as well as develop and validate an ICT SMM scale. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a cross-sectional questionnaire in two different samples (N1 = 117 students and N2 = 165 employees). Findings: The results of item and factor analyses indicated that ICT SMM contain at least two facets, ICT functionalities and task-specific ICT use and are distinct from teamwork, taskwork and temporal SMM. The ICT SMM scale reached good validity and reliability. On an individual level, ICT SMM were positively associated with perceived team performance and coordination and negatively with ineffective communication, workload and frustration. Research limitations/implications: Future research using teams as sample to validate the ICT SMM scale seems to be promising. Originality/value: To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that developed and validated a rating scale to measure SMM of ICT in different samples.