RUB » Bibliotheksportal

Angelika Wirtz

• \(\textbf {Informal communication in hybrid teamwork}\) - \(\textbf {characterization, challenges and approaches to solutions}\) Hybrid teamwork generates numerous social effects that can lead to problems in team relationships. For example, it can easily go undetected in the team that different understandings of tasks exist among members. Suddenly, major misunderstandings emerge that lead to conflicts. Thesis of the study is that reduced informal communication causes such effects. In research, little is described about effects of hybrid work on team relationships. In order to make a contribution to this, the study investigates the two questions: What is the impact of online communication on informal team communication? How can the effects of hybridity on teamwork be favorably influenced in terms of communication? The study takes a communication science perspective and focuses on interpersonal communication. The aim of the paper is to highlight the importance of informal communication for successful hybrid work. Gerold Ungeheuer's communication theory is chosen as the theoretical approach. Communication is understood as a symbolically mediated social action. The concept of communication is combined with insights from work science, or- ganizational sociology, and organizational psychology. The empirical work is done via qualitative interviews. Results show that reduced informal communication can lead to serious conflicts. Documentation is of very limited use in preventing misunderstandings. Tools to promote informal communication are insufficient. Specific skills are needed to promote informal communication in hybrid teamwork and to prevent or resolve problems. Specific recommendations for hybrid teamwork are made available in six handouts and two checklists. For the future, it is necessary to combine communicative competencies and digital solutions.