Goal setting via videoconferencing

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

In two experiments (N=126, N=120) telework in an advertising company was simulated. Participants communicated either face-to-face or via a PC-videoconference with a supervisor who motivated employees to solve brainstorming tasks using several goal setting strategies. In addition, communication with the supervisor prior to goal setting was manipulated to examine the impact of a personal meeting with the supervisor and to investigate the effect of having some prior experience with this technology. In both experiments, stimulating challenging goals improved performance compared to "do your best" instructions when goal setting was conducted via a videoconference. Moreover, it was found that participative goal setting was more effective than directive goal setting. However, a prior personal meeting with a supervisor or an additional interaction via videoconference prior to goal setting had no impact on performance or the effectiveness of goal setting. In sum, these findings indicate that goal setting effects are robust and can be found even if communication is based on a videoconference. When difficult goals have to be set within a videoconference, participative goal setting strategies are most effective.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)169-194
Number of pages26
JournalEuropean journal of work and organizational psychology : the official journal of the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology
Volume16
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 4 Jun 2007
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0002-0015-5120/work/142239857