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The Asymmetrical Influence of Sex Dissimilarity in Distributive vs. Colocated Work Groups

School of Business and Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
School of Business and Management, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Griffith Business School, Griffith University, South Brisbane, Queensland 4101, Australia
prithvi{at}ust.hk
egeorge{at}ust.hk
a.shulman{at}griffith.edu.au

Data from 101 Australian research scientists were used to examine the relationship between sex dissimilarity and work group identification, and task and emotional conflict. Based on social identity and self-categorization theories, these relationships were argued to vary between men and women, and between colocated and distributive work groups. Women reported lower levels of work group identification and higher levels of task and emotional conflict in conjunction with higher levels of sex dissimilarity. Men reported lower levels of task conflict in conjunction with higher levels of sex dissimilarity. No parallel effects on identification or emotional conflict were observed. Sex dissimilarity was found to have a stronger influence on work group identification, and task and emotional conflict in colocated work groups than in distributive work groups.

Key Words: social identity; group composition; conflict; virtual teams