Tasks and Transitions: An Investigation of Transactive Memory Systems in Teams Performing Multi-Task Activities
Abstract
Intelligent machines are being deployed as human assistants in a variety of corporate, military, and healthcare settings. Research has generally examined how intelligent machines affect individual human behavior, but very few studies explore how intelligent machines impact teams and teamwork. We examine the performance and processes of teams using an intelligent personal assistant (IPA) to complete a collaborative task. We chose a collaborative intellective task, which is characterized by right and wrong answers. We expected that IPA use would enhance team performance on an intellective task but interfere with the development of a transactive memory system (TMS). A TMS is a collective memory system that, once developed, has strong positive effects on sustained team performance. Our findings show that IPA use may be harmful to the development of an efficient TMS, but teamsÕ awareness of its knowledge distribution mitigates this negative effect. We continue to investigate explanations for our initial findings. With recorded videos of team interactions, we plan to examine these underlying mechanisms by interpreting team member communication and IPA usage during the intellective task. We highlight the need for new theorizing about the generative and destructive impacts of intelligent machine use in teams.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1610005
Entities
People
- Kyle Lewis
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of California, Santa Barbara