Digital Collaboration Quality and Conflict Management as Predictors of Team Cohesion
Keywords:
Team cohesion, digital collaboration quality, conflict management, virtual teams, organizational psychologyAbstract
This study aimed to investigate the predictive roles of digital collaboration quality and conflict management on team cohesion among employees working in digitally mediated environments. A correlational descriptive design was employed with a sample of 385 employees from various organizations in Iraq. Participants were selected using stratified random sampling based on the Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size table. Data were collected using three validated instruments: the Group Environment Questionnaire for team cohesion, the Digital Collaboration Competence Questionnaire for digital collaboration quality, and the Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II for conflict management. All scales demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity in previous studies. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-27, and included Pearson correlation coefficients to assess bivariate relationships, and multiple linear regression to evaluate the predictive power of the independent variables on team cohesion. Results showed significant positive correlations between team cohesion and both digital collaboration quality (r = .61, p < .001) and conflict management (r = .54, p < .001). The regression model was statistically significant (F(2, 382) = 147.86, p < .001), explaining 44% of the variance in team cohesion (R² = .44, R²adj = .43). Both digital collaboration quality (β = .48, t = 8.83, p < .001) and conflict management (β = .38, t = 7.25, p < .001) were significant predictors of team cohesion. The findings underscore the critical importance of high-quality digital collaboration and constructive conflict management in fostering team cohesion within digital work environments. Organizations aiming to build cohesive and effective teams should strategically invest in digital collaboration infrastructure and conflict resolution training, particularly in contexts undergoing digital transformation.
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