RESEARCH FOCUS -
BUILDING VIRTUAL TEAMS *
Introduction
This Research Focus topic is concerned with building,
developing and managing remote, or virtual teams. This Research Focus topic is applicable for any organisation, or
project, that has a significant involvement with organisations based at different
locations. The topic is also useful for organisations, or
projects, which use a high proportion of foreign resources.
The majority of resources working
within organisations are divided into teams of various types. This allows
different objectives of the organisation to be worked upon by appropriate
specialists, in parallel. Traditionally, these teams have been co-located
together, or close by. Today, with multi sited organisations, complex
partnerships and globalisation, teams and team members may be located many
kilometres apart, in different time zones and with different work
cultures.
Most teams with separately located resources, working collaboratively, can
be considered as Virtual Teams (VT). These could range from teams of
specialists in neighbouring offices, or a single team split over many
locations, to a aircraft design project spread over several continents and
cultures.
These remote, or virtual, teams are usually assigned the same, high level,
success criteria and performance measurement methods as traditional teams
within the organisation. The VT also have to achieve the appropriate goals
and objectives for other teams, despite the difficulties of time, distance
and culture.
This Research Focus topic examines the differences between remote or
separated teams and traditional teams and how they be used to help the
success of organisation. The paper also describes the main elements that
need to be considered when building, managing, operating and developing
VT. Whilst the topic concentrates on complex international collaborative
ventures, most elements are adaptable to any type of team.
Additional information is also
available on this Research Focus topic, these areas include:
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