(2011-05-23) Social Interaction Vs Distributed Teams

LarryIrons notes some research suggesting that social interaction is needed within groups for Collaboration (Team Work) to take place. This is a big challenge for Distributed Team-s. Shared Experience, not just Shared Information, is fundamental to the social networks underlying collaboration and Community. Many, if not most, employees don’t only need to get to know one another through reputational systems, like who tags whom or rates them as possessing expertise. Comfort with one another is needed to develop a shared experience where trust increases the likelihood that needed information is shared, or that the need itself is anticipated.