In the evolving landscape of work, organizations are increasingly
adopting blended teams, which consist of both standard employees and
gig workers hired for short-term, project-based work. However,
managing such teams presents unique challenges, particularly in terms of
maintaining justice, transparency, and effective communication across
different types of workers. This project explores the role of a visualization
tool designed to help HR managers effectively manage these blended
teams. We developed this tool specifically for HR managers, allowing
them to visualize team composition, task allocation, and performance
metrics in real-time. The goal was to examine whether the tool could
enhance decision-making in managing both standard employees and gig
workers, ensuring that HR managers could track the contributions of both
groups while fostering a fair and equitable working environment. The tool
was deployed for two weeks among a sample of 100 HR managers, who
used it to manage teams for specific, short-term projects.
To measure the tool's effectiveness, we employed an experience
sampling methodology, capturing real-time feedback from HR managers
throughout their daily interactions with the tool. This allowed us to assess
factors such as employee engagement, perceived fairness, and the clarity
of performance evaluations. Additionally, we explored whether the tool
helped HR managers address potential biases in decision-making,
particularly regarding the treatment of gig workers versus standard
employees.
Preliminary findings indicate that the tool significantly improved HR
managers' ability to monitor and adjust team dynamics, leading to more
balanced and transparent decision-making processes.
By exploring the intersection of employee relationships, organizational
justice, and the management of blended teams, this project offers insights into how technological innovations can support fairer and more
efficient management practices in the new world of work.