Virtual groups may not inherently possess collective intelligence, despite the common belief. Collective intelligence, the ability to pool knowledge and skills for problem-solving, is often assumed to be a given in virtual groups. Yet, this assumption is challenged by a study involving 98 virtual teams, showing that collective intelligence does not naturally arise in such settings.
The study identified two crucial factors affecting collective intelligence in virtual groups: social sensitivity and equal participation. Social sensitivity, the ability to perceive and respond to others’ emotions, was found lacking in virtual teams due to the absence of non-verbal cues. Equal participation, where all members contribute equally, was also less common in virtual teams, leading to a dominance of certain voices and hindering collective intelligence.
The role of leadership in virtual teams was also highlighted. Ineffective leadership can hinder collective intelligence by failing to ensure equal participation and social sensitivity. Leaders who are not aware of the importance of these factors may struggle to facilitate collective intelligence in their teams.
This research suggests that virtual teams need to actively work to foster collective intelligence. They should focus on improving social sensitivity and ensuring equal participation. Effective leadership is also vital in this endeavour. Without these efforts, the collective intelligence of virtual groups remains a myth rather than a reality.
Go to source article: http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessreview/2017/01/11/collective-intelligence-is-not-necessarily-present-in-virtual-groups/