2.1 Relationship between input factors (commitment to team goals) and mediator
(conflict management)
Goal setting and goal alignment is a well-documented factor in the team related
literature (Mento et al., 1987). In comparing face-to-face groups to VTs, some
researchers have found that conflict is more likely to occur in virtual contexts partly
due an increased difficulty in achieving goal alignment and goal commitment
(Mortensen and Hinds, 2001). The extent and effects of conflict in VTs has been found
to depend on several contingency factors. Mortensen and Hinds (2001) found that,
within VTs, members’ perception of having a common group identity reduced the
amount of conflict. Hertel et al. (2005) suggest the importance of creating a shared
context by focusing on early experiences within the team. Those initial experiences
tend to focus on key processes such as goal setting and role clarification. Poole et al.
(1991) found that the ability of VTs to manage their conflict in productive ways also
depended on how teams adapted to and used the available communication technology
to handle conflict