Communication and Trust as Facilitators for Collaborative Innovation Development in Virtual Teams

摘要

In this study, we investigate how relationship communication affects the innovation / creativity process in a virtual environment. We propose a multiple mediator model in which cognitive and affective trust act as mediating mechanisms that transmit the positive effects of communication to innovation/creativity development within teams. The main results of this study revealed significant positive correlations between relationship communication, trust and innovation / creativity. In addition, this study identified interpersonal trust as playing an important role in mediating the relation between relationship communication and innovation/creativity. Both the emotional aspect of trust and the rational aspect have proven to be mediators of innovation / creativity. These findings contribute to solve some of the emerging organizational challenges through a better understanding of the innovation development mechanism.