The Value and Struggles of Virtual Teams
The purpose of this paper is to reflect, understand, and evaluate the benefits as well as the distractions that individuals and teams are faced with while working in a virtual world. As we all know, to be successful today, we need to embrace the value of these platforms in order to keep up with the thriving world of Web based technology. Collaboration, publication, peer review and exchange of precompetitive information are now becoming the keys to success in this knowledge based economy (Tapscott, Williams, 2008 p.153). While we have all of the technological tools at our disposal to create a successful virtual environment, we still tend to lack some of the key ingredients needed to capitalize
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In the opening paragraph of my paper I stated that we need to embrace this new technology if we are to be successful today, when in fact, the hard work and determination really haven’t changed from yesterday to today, it’s just that virtual teams are just another model for getting work done (Jones, Oyung, Pace, 2005). We still have to rely on each member or component of the team to do their part and communicate with all other members for the project or team to be successful. All business models today are focused on cutting costs and saving money from downsizing in office space to using fuel efficient hybrid cars for their employees. Although they are cutting back in as many areas as they can, they are still trying to keep pace with the latest technology with items such as cell phones and laptops that can sometimes outperform some of the world’s largest computers. While what seems to be a huge cost to a company, it makes their employees accessible 24 hours a day. Simple handheld devices or smartphones can allow them to stay current with their emails, look up information, send files, and check their personal accounts whenever needed. Laptop computers also allow employees to work virtually from anywhere in the world. This can save …show more content…
These laptops are now smaller and of such a light weight that they can be taken anywhere. This not only allows the employees freedom and a balance between work and family but it is also the key to an unlimited world of information. With new creations such as peer production and Ideagoras, companies do not even have the need to house as many employees saving even more money on salaries, health care, and benefits. These web based think tanks spawn great ideas and opportunities to solve problem and create ideas for some of the world’s most advanced companies. This is the outcome of masses of people and firms collaborate openly to drive innovation and growth in their industries (Tapscott and Williams,p.100). The information and the people with the information is all out there, the difficult part now is to put together the teams to gather the extensive, unlimited information and keep those teams focused and valuable. The goal is to
The increasing number of knowledge intensive research and development companies have turned to virtual teams in the recent past in order for them to generate the greatest competitive advantage from limited resources and labor. The geographically distributed teams must communicate via technology, and this has grown in prevalence as compared to the traditional teams in which all members were collocated and communicate face to face. Thus many organizations turn to virtual teams to reduce operational costs, embracing faster problem solving and innovate.
Videoconferencing in Virtual Teams, The Business Review, 7(1) p.164-170.
This paper will provide a hypothetical discussion of how each of the four “worldviews” (post-positivism, constructivism, advocacy/participatory, and pragmatism) might apply to the proposed study. It will refer to the topic paper developed during the class RSH9101B (Research Topic, Problem, Purpose, and Questions) with the assistance of Dr. Kenneth Gossett, class mentor. The portion of the Topic Paper to be used will be the problem statement, which will provide the foundation for this discussion and completion of this assignment. This discussion ultimately will lead to the strengthening of this research and the understanding for the need of better researches to help today’s virtual organizations.
A virtual team is a group of people working interdependently via various types of electronic media across organizational and geographical boundaries for a shared purpose (D’Souza & Colarelli, 2010). Research indicates virtual teams are becoming increasingly popular in organizations across the United States and the world (D’Souza & Colarelli, 2010; Rusman, van Bruggen, Sloep, & Koper, 2010). These teams vary in size, degree of geographic dispersion, prior shared work experience, nature of assignment, and expectations of a common future (Rusman et al., 2010). Although virtual teams have potential advantages like the removal of physical boundaries, the ability to form new partnerships, and optimization of competencies (Chinowsky & Rojas, 2003), they also introduce many challenges that may not be as prevalent in traditional teams.
The methods of communicating for a virtual team consist of different tools than used by a traditional team because “…awareness of others’ activities is more difficult and requires some degree of technological intervention” (Fussell et.al., 1998, p. 276). A virtual team needs to use alternative tools because it has members working from different geographical areas and possibly at different times. A traditional team meets face to face, whereas a virtual team needs the use of technology to operate and interact efficiently. Teleconferencing, video conferencing, faxing, e-mail, and instant messaging are some of the tools available to a virtual team.
Virtual corporations have some major characteristics (Judith, 2002, quoted in Byrne. n.d.) as following state: technology, excellence, opportunism, trust and no borders. Technology makes distance no longer a problem while entrepreneurs or companies far away from, due to the computer networks link people all over the world. Excellence was showed by each partner bringing its core competencies to the corporation, which can exert all advantages. Companies make alliances for specific market opportunity and this is a more efficiency work way than any others. Members in a virtual organization must trust their partners due to they meet the need by cooperating. The new communication ways were brought by computer networks, which blur the traditional hierarchies and boundaries.
During the past decade, the internet has revolutionized and changed the way organizations do business by offering rapid communication systems and enhanced information access and innovation of technological advancements have created a brave new workplace. Further, the internet enables organizations to decrease expenses, reduce product life cycle time, market goods and services more efficiently (Anandarajan et al, 2000). However, with these kinds of benefits, the internet provides employees with a technique
Lipnack, J., & Stamps, J. (1997). Virtual teams: Reaching across space, time, and organizations with technology (p. 262). New York, NY: Wiley.
To start off on the right path, the team must understand what they are working towards. They must be committed to work hard in order to accomplish their goals. Each member should have expectations from everyone and themselves as part of the team.
But in the use of the term “technology” today, there is far more associated meaning than automobiles or washing machines. It has ushered in an entirely new way of working, and in increasing numbers of organizations, increased options of just where work associated with a particular job will be done. More employees than ever have the option of working at home yet still being employed either full...
Remote Access | As more of the knowledge based workforce become more mobile, the ability to be able to access cooperate data while not in the office is essential to employee productivity. This not only increases mobile employees’ productivity, but also has a significant impact on other employees and their productivity since information can be updated in the central corporate database providing near real-time information.
To remain competitive and employable in the twenty-first century workplace, society today must conform to the changing demands. Technology is one of the principal driving forces of the future; it is transforming our lives and shaping our future at rates unprecedented in history, with profound implications, which we cannot even begin to see or understand.
-Virtual communication allows an individual to communicate despite engagement in other schedules hence this can well be practiced by employees and their Employers.
fixture in everyday life then ever before, from housewives planning meals, to checking bank balances and paying bills, to looking up recipes. Children have the ability to do their homework, playing games and chatting to a friend on the internet. Business executives carrying PDA's, [personal digital assistants] with the ability to do their everyday business duties, from anywhere in the world that they may be at any time of the day or night.
This is one reason why cell phones are a significant asset to technology. Furthermore, workplaces are becoming more and more involved with technology. In almost every company, there is an advanced computerized system which makes tasks easier and quicker. Information can be expressed through words, numbers, sounds, and images.