A Review of Related Literature on the Role of Trust in Global Virtual Teams

In this day and age, technology plays a big role in the everyday lives of people. Whether it be through the use of the cell phone or the computer, technology is vital for communication in work or in school. With various international organizations opening branches in different parts of the world, communication is key to the success of the company. Thus the birth of virtual teams. A virtual team is a group of people who communicate to other virtual teams across the world through the internet whether it be through Skype, email, etc. Virtual teams are “ a self -managed knowledge work team, with distributed expertise, that forms and disbands to address a specific organizational goal.” (Kristof et al. 1995, p. 230)

On the other hand, trust, which is a term commonly used for virtual teams is basically, based on, and described to be the reliance on someone to keep their word on the arrangements and responsibilities agreed upon (Piccoli & Ives, 2003). Often times, in completing a task, one may be asked to work with or for someone, and the trust between the parties involved plays an important role in the success or failure of completing that assigned task. It is no wonder, then, that trust is a significant factor and variable in determining the productivity and success of a virtual organization. Given that most transactions within the organization are made virtually, or with no face-to-face communication, trust may oftentimes be harder to come by. Trust in the virtual team setting is described as the confidence that a member, or members, of the team have in another or each other that allows them to work in line with all the responsibilities asked of him or her. When trust is present within the virtual team, members are able to confide...

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