Men are from Mars and women are from Venus: dyadic collaboration in the metaverse
ISSN: 1066-2243
Article publication date: 27 July 2023
Issue publication date: 1 February 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The gender composition of teams remains an important yet complex element in unlocking the success of collaboration and performance in the metaverse. In this study, the authors examined the collaborations of same- and mixed-gender dyads to investigate how gender composition influences perceptions of the dyadic collaboration process and outcomes at both the individual and team levels in the metaverse.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing on expectation states theory and social role theory, the authors hypothesized differences between dyads of different gender compositions. A blocked design was utilized where 432 subjects were randomly assigned to teams of different gender compositions: 101 male dyads, 59 female dyads and 56 mixed-gender dyads. Survey responses were collected after the experiment.
Findings
Multilevel multigroup analyses reveal that at the team level, male dyads took on the we-impress manifestation to increase satisfaction with the team solution. In contrast, female and mixed-gender dyads adopted the we-work-hard-on-task philosophy to increase satisfaction with the team solution. At the individual level, impression management is the key factor associated with trust in same-gender dyads but not in mixed-gender dyads.
Originality/value
As one of the pioneering works on gender effects in the metaverse, our findings shed light on two fronts in virtual dyadic collaborations. First, the authors offer a theoretically grounded and gendered perspective by investigating male, female and mixed-gender dyads in the metaverse. Second, the study advances team-based theory and deepens the understanding of gender effects at both the individual and team levels (multilevel) in a virtual collaboration environment.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors thank Dr Brian Mennecke, who contributed to the early stages of the development of this research. His avatar Gut Noel was a pioneering character in Second Life for many years, inspiring students and scholars. Dr Mennecke was a professor of information systems at Iowa State University and worked there for 17 years. The professor passed away unexpectedly on July 9, 2016. The authors dedicate this research and publication to him.
The authors also thank the editor, special issue editors and reviewers for their insightful comments and constructive suggestions that have helped to improve and enhance the paper.
Citation
Schiller, S., Nah, F.F.-H., Luse, A. and Siau, K. (2024), "Men are from Mars and women are from Venus: dyadic collaboration in the metaverse", Internet Research, Vol. 34 No. 1, pp. 149-173. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-08-2022-0690
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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