This allows us to examine virtual teams in an actual company environment, as opposed to a highly structured, though artificial, setting in controlled laboratory settings. The research is also facilitated by a practical empirical investigation that is carried-out in a multinational medical device company. This paper fills this research gap by examining the use of virtual teams and collaboration technology, using critical success factors derived from the extant literature. Although there is a wealth of research on a range of issues associated with virtual teams and collaboration technologies, no such integrated model is available to guide the managers of large organizations in the implementation and management of virtual teams.
#Define virtual group full
To derive the full benefits of the implemented virtual team structure, it is necessary to contend with these factors, and to create a general framework that may usefully incorporate solutions to the problem areas outlined. However, the natural evolution of virtual teams in a dynamic business environment can leave many organizations grappling with a succession of problems, including: the formalization of virtual team work processes and strategies (Carter et al., 2015 Lee, 2009) the role of technology in a virtual team environment (Clear and MacDonell, 2011 Bryant et al., 2009) the issue of virtual team communication (Cramton and Orvis, 2003 Riopelle et al., 2003) the creation of suitable organizational structures for virtual team operations (Bryant et al., 2009 Johnson et al., 2001) and the interaction of personnel that comprise the virtual team and their supporters (Hill et al., 2014 Fan et al., 2011).
Virtual team formation has also been found useful for enabling organizations to pool the talents of their own employees, and employees of trading partners to meet the demands of today's competitive global environment (Gibson et al, 2014). A virtual team can deliver large strategic, operational or commercial projects involving various concurrent and sequential activities by team members across various geographical localities (Lee-Kelley and Shanky, 2008). Virtual teams have emerged as a powerful structure in the contemporary business environment, and are characterized by the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs), radical changes in organizational design, and the deployment of a multicultural workforce (Gilson et al, 2014 Greenberg et al., 2007). Keywords: virtual team collaboration technology best-practice model case study medical devices The study demonstrates that a structured approach is essential to ensure that the benefits resulting from virtual teamwork are maximized.
A TOWS matrix is used to structure the results of the analysis and to identify future virtual team strategies for the organization. This model is developed by means of an exploratory literature review and an empirical investigation of virtual team utilization in a multinational medical device manufacturer, which examines several factors critical to their success. e-mail: (corresponding author).ģCollege of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon UK EX4 4SB, UK.Īn integrated model, created to guide project managers, is outlined for the implementation and management of virtual teams. Sandra Morley 1, Kathryn Cormican 2, Paul Folan 3ġ,2College of Engineering & Informatics, National University of Ireland, Galway. An Analysis of Virtual Team Characteristics: A Model for Virtual Project Managers
0 kommentar(er)
