Research on temporal diversity in GVTs: limitations and a new research agenda

Abstract

In addition to cultural and demographic diversity, temporal diversity is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor affecting the dynamics and performance of global virtual teams (GVTs). However, research on temporal diversity tends to analyze the effects of only one source of timing differences at a time: either only time-zone differences or only chronotype differences among the team members. Such a single-focus approach is limiting, and could lead to biased conclusions. We provide a conceptual model that shows how analyzing only one source of temporal diversity at a time can produce an incomplete and even misleading picture. Based on the analysis of different temporal activation patternings, namely the arrangements of timing when team members can fully engage in project-related tasks, we demonstrate how the interplay between time zones and chronotypes can exacerbate or mitigate temporal diversity, resulting in temporal patterns that could be more or less advantageous for a GVT, depending on the team characteristics and nature of its task. We discuss the implications of failing to simultaneously consider both sources of temporal differences when analyzing timing differences among GVT members and provide a guide for future research and practice for handling the issue of temporal diversity more effectively.