Sensor-based proximity metrics for team research. A validation study across three organizational contexts

Area of Science:

• Organizational Behavior
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Social Network Analysis

Background:

• Wearable sensors are increasingly used in organizational research.
• Existing validation studies are often limited to lab settings or single field cases.
• Contextual factors' influence on sensor measurements is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate Bluetooth (BT) detections for expressive and instrumental ties in real-world organizational settings.
• To examine the convergent validity of BT detections across different organizational contexts.
• To investigate how organizational context influences sensor-based social tie measurements.

Main Methods:

• A validation study involving nine R&D teams.
• Convergent validity analysis of Bluetooth (BT) detections against self-reported friendship and advice-seeking ties.
• Comparison across three organizational contexts: research labs, private companies, and university-based teams.

Main Results:

• Bluetooth (BT) detections generally showed strong correlations with self-reported social ties.
• Organizational context significantly affected the strength and direction of these correlations.
• Advice-seeking ties were best identified in university settings (close proximity), while friendships were detected at greater distances, especially in research labs.

Conclusions:

• Sensor-based measurements, like BT detections, can be valid for studying social ties in organizations.
• Organizational context is a critical factor influencing the accuracy and interpretation of sensor data.
• Recommendations include careful organizational embedding and mixed-methods research for enhanced sensor validity.