Virtual team trust: task, communication and sequence

Purpose – This study aims to examine the impact of task interdependence, communication medium, and sequence of conditions on trust in virtual teams. Design/methodology/approach – A pilot experiment was conducted using 22 subjects in eight groups with a mixed 2×2 design. A within‐groups method with repeated measures was used to explore time pressure and task complexity, communication medium and individual perceptions of trust. A between‐groups method was used for sequence of conditions. The four study conditions were: a simple task in a face‐to‐face condition; a complex task in a face‐to‐face condition; a simple task in a computer‐mediated condition; and a complex task in a computer‐mediated condition. Groups were randomly assigned to a starting condition. Each group was rotated through all the conditions. Following each condition, subjects completed the modified Jarvenpaa‐Knoll‐Leidner trust measure assessing their individual perception of trust for that condition. Findings – Significant effects were found on the relationships between the communication medium and condition sequences of task interdependence and communication medium on individual perceptions of trust. No significant effects were found on the relationship of task interdependence and individual perceptions of trust. Research limitations/implications – The sample size makes the study more descriptive than inferential. Originality/value – This study intends to add to the trust literature by examining the impact of task interdependence, communication medium, and sequence of conditions on trust in virtual teams. Its primary contribution is the sequence of conditions on trust. The trust affect of condition sequence is linked to task interdependence, communication predictability, and adpative structuration theory.