The Effect of Virtual Communication Channels on Human Behavior: A Literature Review

Sven Walther

MPRA Paper from University Library of Munich, Germany

Abstract: As workplaces and social interactions continue shifting toward virtual environments, virtual communication channels like video conferencing and text chats have become fundamental for collaboration and information exchange. However, these channels differ in their capacity to convey information, potentially shaping the impact of communication on behavior through various mechanisms, such as anonymity. This review examines 21 studies to assess how face-to-face and different virtual communication channels affect human behavior. The results suggest that relying exclusively on virtual communication can impair behavior in some situations, such as group cooperation or creativity. This issue can be mitigated using richer communication channels such as video or audio. However, especially in one-way messages, using richer communication channels that convey non-verbal information is not always advantageous and poses some risks. This illustrates the complexity of using different communication channels and highlights the need for future research. The insights from this review have important implications for organizations and individuals, emphasizing the crucial role of using appropriate communication channels in virtual environments. Effective channel selection can enhance cooperation and innovation, thereby contributing to the broader discussion on the future of work in remote and hybrid settings.

Keywords: virtual communication; communication channel; behavior; future of work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C90 D83 M54 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025-07
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