Citation

Neville TJ, Salmon PM, Read GJM. Ergonomics 2018; 61(2): 313-328.

Affiliation

Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems, Faculty of Arts, Business and Law , University of the Sunshine Coast , Locked Bag 4, Maroochydore DC , QLD Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00140139.2017.1353140

PMID

28697704

Abstract

Intra-team communication plays an important role in team effectiveness in various domains including sport. As such, it is a key consideration when introducing new tools within systems that utilise teams. The difference in intra-team communication of Australian Rules Football (AFL) umpiring teams was studied when umpiring with or without radio communications technology. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted to analyse the verbal communication of seven umpiring teams (20 participants) grouped according to their experience with radio communication. The results identified that radio communication technology increased the frequency and altered the structure of intra-team communication. Examination of the content of the intra-team communication identified impacts on the 'Big Five' teamwork behaviours and associated coordinating mechanisms. Analysis revealed that the communications utilised did not align with the closed-loop form of communication described in the Big Five model. Implications for teamwork models, coaching and training of AFL umpires are discussed.  Practitioner statement Assessing the impact of technology on performance is of interest to ergonomics practitioners. The impact of radio communications on teamwork is explored in the highly dynamic domain of AFL umpiring. When given radio technology, intra-team communication increased which supported teamwork behaviours such as backup behaviour and mutual performance monitoring.

Language: en

Keywords

Big Five; Teamwork; officials in sport; team communication; technology insertion