Virtual Team Management

Virtual Team Management

Virtual teams are no longer considered to be a new innovation and it is perhaps because of the same reason that most of the upcoming literature gives consideration to the approaches that can be utilized to make virtual teams work better; in comparison to the literature that dates back to the early 90s that highlighted the role and relevance that virtual teams could have for an organization (Curseu, Schalk & Wessel, 2008; Berry, 2011). In essence, the utility of virtual teams is now undeniable and it is because of the same reason that virtual teams are now used by SMEs and MNCs alike.

Two decades ago, the idea of cross-continental teams was strenuous and not for the light hearted. Extensive resources were required in addition to the availability of time and personnel (Guzmán, Ramos, Seco & Esteban, 2010; Ananth, Nazareth & Ramamurthy, 2011). Developments in information and communication technology have changed the entire scenario with the advent of virtual teams. Thanks to information and communication technology (which forms the very foundation upon which virtual teams operate) virtual teams are able to operate without falling victim to the limitations of time, place, personnel and resources.

Communication Protocols

Supporters of the integration of virtual teams contend that the secret to the effective formation, functioning and utilization of a virtual team is to develop communication protocols (Divine, Schumacher & Cardinal, 2011; Guzmán, Ramos, Seco & Esteban, 2010). Effective in communication in a virtual team has a direct relation with the effectiveness in the virtual team's performance. The development of protocols allows for the personnel involved in the virtual team to ensure that no oversights are made in the functioning of the team (Ananth, Nazareth & Ramamurthy, 2011; Berry, 2011). As a result of my experience with virtual teams, I have developed the perception that developing communication protocols allow the members of the virtual team to come to terms with the technological requirements in advance (Furumo, 2009; Hong & Vai, 2008). An individual is able to deliver much better input into a meeting if he/she is aware of his/her obligations pertaining to his/her position in the meeting.

Similarly, an employee assigned to a virtual team is able to prepare for meeting and communication sessions in advance if he/she is aware of the technological platforms that the virtual team will be utilizing during the course of the project (Rico, Bachrach, Sánchez-Manzanares & Collins, 2011; Xiaojing, Magjuka & Seung-hee, 2008). Most importantly, this also allows the individual to take out the time that is required for the individual to become adequately capable in utilizing the virtual team's preferred communication and technology platforms.

Vulnerabilities & Limitations of Virtual Teams

A discussion cannot be expected to be complete without considering, highlighting and elaborating on the fact that the virtual team is a team after all and therefore vulnerable to all the limitations that can be expected to be applicable on any traditional team (Hong & Vai, 2008; Rico, Bachrach, Sánchez-Manzanares & Collins, 2011). My experience allowed me to come ...