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Communicating via Video Conferencing: The Mediating Effect of Member Influence Disparity on Task Performance
HongKeun Kim1, So-Hyeon Shim2, Sun Joo Grace Ahn3
1School of Business and Technology Management, KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking
|November 10, 2025
Summary
Virtual communication can worsen team hierarchy, increasing influence disparities and reducing task performance. This study reveals group-level impacts beyond individual fatigue, offering solutions for more equitable collaboration.
Area of Science:
- Organizational Behavior
- Communication Studies
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Geographically dispersed organizations increasingly use virtual platforms.
- Virtual communication challenges team processes and outcomes.
- Previous research focused on individual factors like 'Zoom fatigue'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how virtual communication affects team hierarchy and member influence.
- To extend existing literature by examining group-level mechanisms.
- To identify mediators linking virtual communication to team performance.
Main Methods:
- A controlled experiment comparing virtual (video conferencing) and face-to-face teams.
- Analysis of member influence disparities during decision-making.
- Assessment of the impact on task performance.
Main Results:
- Virtual teams exhibited significantly greater disparities in member influence compared to face-to-face teams.
- Increased member influence disparity in virtual teams led to reduced task performance.
- Disparity in member influence was identified as a key mediator.
Conclusions:
- Virtual communication reinforces hierarchical structures by amplifying influence disparities.
- Group-level mechanisms, beyond individual factors, are critical in virtual teams.
- Findings offer practical strategies to mitigate hierarchical distortions and improve virtual team effectiveness.
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