15-1 Virtual Teams Chapter 15
Dec 24, 2015
15-1
Virtual Teams
Chapter 15
15-2
Use of Communication Technologies
Creation of virtual teamsMediated by time, distance, technologyContinuum
Two types of technologiesCommunication
Share informationCollaboration
Help teams solve problems, make decisions, work together
15-3
Use of Communication Technologies Impacts:
Work designOrganizational designCommunication patternsSecondary social effects
Limits social relations
Impact varies due to cultural and age differences
Increases cross-cultural miscommunications
15-4
Communication Technologies and Teams4 ways to support teams:
Gather and present information
Help team members communicate
Help teams process information
Structure group process
Use of Communication Technologies
15-5
Use of Communication Technologies
15-6
Use of Communication Technologies Characteristics of Communication Technologies
Axley (1996) Speed Reach Interactivity Cue variety
Reichwald & Goecke (1994) Social presence Media richness
Ability to document the message
15-7
Use of Communication Technologies
Insert Table 15.2: Analysis of Communication Methods (p. 287)
15-8
Communication Impacts Status Differences
Equalizes differences in student groups No effect on actual work teams Mixed effects on performance
Anonymity Leads to deindividuation Results:
Social loafing Flaming Less pressure to conform More ideas
15-9
Communication Impacts Miscommunication
More conflict (often negative) Difficulty establishing and maintaining mutual
knowledge Faulty assumptions Multi-tasking in videoconferencing
Communication Norms Etiquette errors
15-10
Team Impacts Task Performance in Virtual Teams
Personal advantages: Flexibility Control over time Empowerment
Personal disadvantages Isolation Increased miscommunication Increased conflict
15-11
Team Impacts
Tasks better suited for virtual teams:
Idea generationProblem solving tasksBrainstorming chief example
Not suited for consensus-seeking tasks (negotiation, decision-making)
15-12
Team Impacts Decision Making
Advantages Sharing of unique information Focused on logic and facts Less distracted by irrelevant social information Research before communicating More participation Higher creativity and performance
Disadvantages Less sharing of information overall Lower team satisfaction and cohesion
15-13
Team Impacts Social Relations
Lower satisfaction in virtual groups Lack of social support Increased stress
Difficulty with cohesion More anonymity Less team identification Difficult to develop trust
Build through: Occasional face-to-face meetings Adopting Life-cycle approach
15-14
Selecting the Right Technology
Factors to ConsiderTask characteristicsTeam characteristicsGroup process
Theories:Media richness theoryAdaptive structure theoryTask-technology fit theory
15-15
Selecting the Right Technology
Matching Technology to Team and TaskAll technologies somewhat usefulGroup support systems useful for specialized
functionsNot very useful for negotiating highly emotional
conflicts
15-16
Selecting the Right Technology
Matching Task to Technology
Insert Table 15.3: Matching Task to Technology (p. 297)
15-17
Challenge of Virtual Teams Communication Problems
Cross-cultural miscommunications Creating Effective Interpersonal
RelationshipsDifficult to develop trust
Limited success of videoconferencing
15-18
Challenge of Virtual Teams Team Building in Virtual Teams
More time to deal with problems Face-to-face initial meetings Instant communication channels Operating structures Communication norms Better training Appropriate leadership
15-19
Challenge of Virtual Teams Future of Virtual Teams
Changes in technology Project management software Discussion forums Virtual reality environments
Characteristics of new employees More comfortable with technology
New types of social interactions Instant messaging Chat rooms Facebook
15-20
Challenge of Virtual Teams Future of Virtual Teams
Changes in technology Project management software Discussion forums Virtual reality environments
Characteristics of new employees More comfortable with technology
New types of social interactions Instant messaging Chat rooms Facebook
15-18
15-22
15-23
Insert Activity: Experiencing Teamwork in a Simulated Virtual Team (p. 303)
15-24