Role of Technology in the Development of Virtual Teams over Time



Role of Technology in the Development of Virtual Teams over Time

Introduction

Virtual Team - also known as a geographically dispersed team (GDT) - is a group of people who work across time, space and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by communication technology. They have complementary skills and are committed to a common purpose, performance interdependent and share an approach to the job for which you must keep each other accountable (Tan , 2000, 153).

The geographically dispersed teams allow companies to hire and retain the best people regardless of location. The virtual team members can communicate electronically, without meeting face to face. However, most teams will meet at some point in time. A virtual team does not always mean teleworker. Teleworkers are defined as individuals who work from home. Many virtual teams in today's organizations consist of employees working at home or in offices or with small groups but also in different geographical locations.

a virtual team is a group of people who work across time, space and organizational boundaries with links strengthened by communication technology. They have complementary skills and are committed to a common goal performance interdependent and share an approach to the job for which you must keep each other accountable. "

It first uses virtual teams because it allows organizations to recruit the best workers regardless of their geographic locations. Another reason is that telecommuting has many advantages that will become a much more popular in organizations. For example, virtual teams encourage low absenteeism and a more flexible schedule for employees. Secondly, we avoid wasting time on the road and pollution due to the fact that employees need to travel by car. It's subtle you will agree, but they are economic benefits on the one hand or the other. This working model also promotes productivity in the team, which is one of the most positive (Jarvenpaa , 1999, 791).

Research Question

How does technology play a role in the development of virtual teams over time?

Literature Review

Globalization and international projects are a challenge to the world of work today because we need new and effective ways to communicate and share data. The implementation of virtual teams in companies offer a solution to the problems that globalization brings.

It has been argued by Duarte (2006) that exploiting diversity in the work team: members in a virtual team must be selected on the basis of their abilities but taking into account their differences. The success of a team comes from the confrontation of different perspectives and sharing among team members. By harnessing the diversity in the team, members of the same team will be motivated, because working with others who have different skills will be a learning tool for all team members. Also, the diversity in a team representing a growth in performance. The different abilities of each team member to ensure the business objectives will be achieved in the best way, using all available human resources. The group performance will be higher (Kaiser , ...