Connecting the dots in counterterrorism: The consequences of communication setting for shared situation awareness and team performance

Abstract

Shared situation awareness (SSA) is critical for counterterrorism teams. We examined whether a rich media condition (co‐located face to face) and a lean media condition (distributed email) differentially influence SSA at levels 1, 2, and 3 and team performance, in 24 co‐located and 27 distributed teams. SSA at level 2—knowing who the terrorist is and their location—mediated and SSA at level 3—projecting future terrorist actions—marginally significantly mediated, a positive relationship between media richness and team performance. SSA at level 1—knowing objects—did not mediate such a positive effect. A co‐located setting leads to more convergence on situation awareness at levels 2 and 3, whereas a distributed setting leads to more convergence on level 1.

Multiteam Systems Handling Time-Sensitive Targets: Developing Situation Awareness in Distributed and Co-located Settings

“…Media richness positively influenced SA on level 3, which is in line with other experimental empirical research on media conditions and SA ( Valaker et al, 2018 ). As predicted by Burke et al (2006) , SA led to improved performance.…”

“…Based on the predictions in the media synchronicity theory we would expect that the shared SA on level 3 will benefit the most from a co-located setting as the co-located setting better facilitates the processes for integrating information ( Cramton, 2001 ; Dennis et al, 2008 ; Valaker et al, 2018 ). Conversely, the theory suggests that the shared SA, particularly level 3, will be challenging to develop in a distributed setting because it will be difficult for the integration team to converge on the more abstract thinking required for predicting future states of the operations ( Valaker et al, 2018 ). A distributed setting will potentially delay and distort the integration of information required to form SA at levels 2 and 3 ( Cramton, 2001 ; Valaker et al, 2018 ).…”

“…Conversely, the theory suggests that the shared SA, particularly level 3, will be challenging to develop in a distributed setting because it will be difficult for the integration team to converge on the more abstract thinking required for predicting future states of the operations ( Valaker et al, 2018 ). A distributed setting will potentially delay and distort the integration of information required to form SA at levels 2 and 3 ( Cramton, 2001 ; Valaker et al, 2018 ). On the other hand, we suggest that SA on level 1 will benefit from a distributed condition.…”

“…On the other hand, we suggest that SA on level 1 will benefit from a distributed condition. The typically lean text media used in this context will be better at transmitting large amounts of information, such as a vast amount of identified objects ( Valaker et al, 2018 ).…”

Social psychological aspects of inter-organizational collaboration in a total defense context: a literature review

“…An information-based situational picture deals with the question: What is this? A shared Level 2 situation awareness refers to the degree to which all collaborating actors have accurate knowledge of information and actions needed to reach the goals and sub-goals associated with their joint task (Bakken and Hoerem, 2020;Burke et al, 2006;Endsley et al, 2003;Uitdewilligen et al, 2010;Valaker et al, 2018).…”