Testing a Second-order Factor Structure of Team Cognition in Distributed Teams

The present research develops and tests a hierarchical model of the underlying behavioral processes of team cognition. Team cognition is represented as a second-order construct comprised of three first-order dimensions (team learning, team reflexivity, and team mental model). The proposed second-order construct was embedded in a nomological network as a mediator between collaboration mode (collocated vs. non-collocated technology-mediated) and task outcomes (team productivity and team interaction quality). The partial least squares approach was used to test the measurement and structural model. As hypothesized, team cognition significantly influenced team productivity and team interaction quality outcomes. Further, collaboration mode significantly improved team cognition through its specific effects on the team learning, team reflexivity, and team mental model first-order dimensions of team cognition. The results substantiate 1) the conception of team cognition as a multidimensional construct, 2) the use of second-order factors to address potential multicollinearity problems, and 3) use of higher-order constructs to present a more parsimonious model.