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.