Exploring the Influence of Team Emotional Intelligence on How Virtual Teams Handle Differences

Advancement in technologies, including communications, makes virtual work a possibility for many. Although abundant research on team dynamics exists and research on virtual teams is growing, a considerable volume of existing empirical data on virtual teams is conducted in laboratory settings using temporary teams, often at MBA or undergraduate levels. In addition, very few of these studies discuss how conflict is handled in a virtual team. Discovering how virtual teams deal with differences and conflicts will advance our understanding of these crucial issues. This mixed-methods study included surveys, semi-structured interviews, and ethnographic observation and field notes. Data was collected from 31 virtual teams. This study discovered that teams with higher team emotional intelligence approach differences by perspective taking, information sharing, and monitoring and adjusting of team behaviors. Virtual teams with lower team emotional intelligence are more likely to view each other as competitors and have a tendency to avoid conflict and vent without resolution. In addition, teams who meet regularly have more open communications, which enables a collaborative approach to conflict management