Collocated & Virtual Teams

Collocated Teams, Virtual Teams, Cultural Differences

Introduction

The Tuckman's model of team development comprises of four stages. The stages are termed as forming, storming, norming and performing. The forming stage is characterized by great uncertainty about the purpose, structure and leadership of the group. Members discussed the environment to determine what types of behaviors are acceptable. Storming stage is characterized by the existence of inter-group conflict. Members accept the existence of the group, but have some resistance to the restrictions it imposes on individuals; moreover, there is a dispute as to the controlling of the group. The Norming stage is characterized by having very close relations and a high level of cohesion, the group also has a strong sense of identity. The performing stage is where the group structure is fully functional and the members have accepted each other (Tuckman, 1977).

Though the virtual and collocated teams are similar in the nature; yet they have differences as well. The team management structure and methodology is similar in both types of teams. The method to achieve the goals of the teams is similar as well. The collocated teams comprise of those teams which are formed by people in same location within a workplace or similar location. A virtual team is formed by members working together on a specific project where their tasks are not in routine but the results are measurable and specific. The virtual team is named virtual because it is not necessary that the team members are present in the same place. The members can be disperses in terms of location, knowledge, systems and workplaces. The goals of the members of virtual team can be fulfilled regardless of time, distance and organizational boundaries (Chutnik et al, 2009).

The cross-cultural dimensions in teams refer to globalization, global orientation and organizational competencies to manage various and diversified cultures. Cross-cultural teams are also referred as multinational, multicultural and transnational teams. The diversity and variance in the teams may be due to society, culture and organizational culture.

Collocated Teams

The challenges faced by the team members and leaders of collocated teams are limited team redundancy and reach. Team members are only destined to meet in a specific physical location. There are high travel expenses and costs of conducting face-to-face meetings. The solutions to overcome these challenges are to increase the ways of communication such as portals, websites, and e-mails. It is also required that the members have understanding against all their cultural differences and background differences. This will help the team members to avoid the hectic work of organizing physical meetings and interact online through e-mails, shared portals and other technological and internet ways (Ale Ebrahim et al, 2009).

Virtual Teams

With the spread of globalization and its roots getting deeper in the daily lives, the managers are facing more virtual teams than before. One of the challenges for the virtual team can be limited budget to hold meetings on a regular basis. The other challenges that the leaders of virtual teams face are team goals, ...