Forming Trust in Virtual Writing Teams

2010 ◽  
pp. 88-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean D. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Collaborative Writing ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Performance Orientation ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
And Performance

This chapter explores collaborative writing in virtual teams, and, particularly, trust formation in virtual writing teams, to help those who create or work in virtual writing teams to understand the importance of trust. In order to build the case for trust as the key component in teams, the chapter presents important background on teams as a general concept. In particular, it considers the constituents of quality teams, which include small team size, diverse team membership, interdependent relationships, shared team vision, articulated processes, and performance orientation. The chapter then elaborates on the role of trust in teams, presenting it as the key feature for any type of team environment. Based on this background, the chapter then differentiates the general concept of teams from virtual teams in particular, arguing that virtual teams must address specific considerations in order to build trust. Such considerations include the composition of the team, where team members possess a propensity to trust; the proper use of technology in the virtual team, so that the medium matches the communicative need; and social presence, or the ways that virtual teams can build trust by using communication behaviors to demonstrate to others that they share understanding. The chapter combines the general team considerations with the virtual team considerations into a rubric for building strong virtual teams based upon four major categories: team traits, team actions, individual traits, and environment traits. The chapter concludes with suggestions for future study.

The Impact of Trust on Virtual Team Effectiveness

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasser A. El-Kassrawy
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Team Effectiveness ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Structural Equations ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Competitive Environments ◽  
Team Satisfaction ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Impact

Given the important role of information technology, virtuality has become crucial issue in contemporary organizations. Virtual teams are comprised of members who are located in more than one physical location. They need to be effectively collaborating to harness their full performance capabilities in order to compete in the highly competitive environments. However, virtual team effectiveness is affected by determinants of trust which include three types; personality, cognitive and institutional-based trust. Therefore, this paper examines the impact of trust determinants on virtual team effectiveness represented in virtual team satisfaction and performance. Through a survey of 125 virtual team members who had experienced at least two years in this field, the results indicated that determinants of trust positively influence virtual team satisfaction and virtual team performance. The authors' structural equations modeling findings also support our hypothetical predictions that personality- based trust, cognitive- based trust and institutional- based trust have a dramatic impact on both of virtual team satisfaction and virtual team performance. Moreover, institutional- based trust is the uppermost driver of virtual team effectiveness. This study provides novel insights into virtual team behaviours, managerial and research implications for effective virtual team.

Learning in Virtual Teams

2018 ◽  
pp. 622-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuqing Ren
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Team Learning ◽  
Common Ground ◽  
Shared Knowledge ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Storage And Retrieval ◽  
Integrative Framework ◽  
Shared Identity ◽  
And Performance

This chapter reviews and integrates the latest research on team learning and virtual teams to understand the challenges associated with how team members learn and improve performance when working across distance. Team learning is defined as changes in a team’s knowledge and performance as a function of members gaining experiences of working with one another. This chapter presents an integrative framework that links challenges in virtual teams (lack of informal, spontaneous communication, lack of social presence, lack of common ground, reduced team cohesion and identification, lack of trust, lack of shared knowledge and understanding) to four key team learning processes (knowledge acquisition, sharing, storage, and retrieval). Three remedies are proposed to overcome the challenges through a strong shared identity, the choice of effective collaboration technologies, and timely teamwork interventions.

Gender and Anonymity in Virtual Teams

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Koh ◽  
Na Liu ◽  
John Lim
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Performance ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Process Variables ◽  
Team Collaboration ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Collaboration Process

With the advancement of information and communication technology, virtual teams are becoming more popular as geographical constraints in collaboration have become a non-issue. Features of the technology and characteristics of the group influence interaction processes and outcomes. Two elements are the focus of this paper. The first is anonymity, which has been made feasible by technology. The other concerns gender. Gender is an important research target, and its role in groupwork must not be overlooked. Both elements have aroused much interest across multiple research fields. The existing literature shows their potential in influencing team collaboration processes, satisfaction, and performance. In this paper, the authors present a process-based interpretation of virtual team collaboration, incorporating the anonymity of technology and the gender difference of team members. Using a multiple case study approach, the paper identifies a key set of process variables that shape team performance. The study also examines the interdependencies among the processes. Task-related activity that occurred during team discussion was affected by gender anonymity, and this influenced group performance and members’ satisfaction toward the collaboration process. Group dynamics, including member awareness, leader emergence, and member’s conformity, are salient process variables that affect the virtual team performance as well.

scholarly journals Relationship between Social Networking Platforms and Performance of Virtual Teams in Nigeria Telecomunnication Industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 30
Author(s):  
Fasanmi, Samuel Sunday ◽  
Ogunyemi, A.O.
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Log Likelihood ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Job Position

The study examined a relationship between social networking platforms and performance of virtual teams in Nigeria telecommunication industries. Opinions of one hundred and eleven virtual team members from three giant telecommunication firms in Enugu and Lagos, Nigeria participated in the study.MTN Nigeria, Globacom Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria were sampled using self-designed questionnaire. Two research hypotheses were tested. It was found out that that there was a significant relationship between types of social networking platforms used (Facebook, Skype, MySpace, Instagram. and Linked) in the workplace on performance of virtual teams {X2 (2) =211.108; p<.05}. Regression results indicated that the overall model fit five predictors (types of organization, team membership, job position, social networking platforms, and sex) was questionable (-2 Log Likelihood = 92.683) but was statistically reliable in distinguishing between virtual team performances X2 (5) = 54.352, p < .05). Useful recommendations that would enhance a synergy between virtual team members and healthy social network platforms were suggested. 

Mobile Collaboration Support for Virtual Teams

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keng Siau ◽  
Min Ling
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Virtual Collaboration ◽  
Conceptual Foundation ◽  
Work Systems ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Development Teams ◽  
Geographically Distributed ◽  
Qualitative Technique ◽  
Sophisticated Technology

Organizations increasingly depend on virtual teams in which geographically distributed individuals use sophisticated technology to interact and collaborate. With the advancement of mobile and wireless technology, mobile support for collaboration among virtual team members is becoming increasingly important and popular. In this research, we study the values of mobile support for virtual team members. Using the qualitative technique, Value-Focused Thinking approach, proposed by Keeney, we interviewed 30 subjects who were involved in information systems development teams and asked them the values of mobile support for virtual collaboration. This study uses Alter's Work Systems Theory as the conceptual foundation.

scholarly journals The power of individual cultural values in global virtual teams

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Audra I. Mockaitis ◽  
Elizabeth L. Rose ◽  
Peter Zettinig
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Global Teams ◽  
Global Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Processes ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Relationship

This paper investigates the perceptions of members of 43 culturally diverse global virtual teams, with respect to team processes and outcomes. Despite widespread acknowledgement of the challenges presented by cultural differences in the context of global teams, little is known about the effect of these differences on team dynamics in the absence of face-to-face interaction. Using a student-based sample, we study the relationship between global virtual team members’ individualistic and collectivistic orientations and their evaluations of trust, interdependence, communication and information sharing, and conflict during the team task. Our results suggest that a collectivist orientation is associated with more favorable impressions regarding global virtual team processes and that cultural differences are not concealed by virtual means of communication.

Virtual Team Effectiveness

2017 ◽  
pp. 687-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. Carlson ◽  
Dawn S. Carlson ◽  
Emily M. Hunter ◽  
Randal L. Vaughn ◽  
Joey F. George
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Effectiveness ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Instant Messaging ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Interpersonal Processes ◽  
Mediated Communication ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Main Effect

The work of virtual teams is increasingly important to today's organizations, work that is accomplished predominantly via computer-mediated communication. The authors investigate the moderating role of experience with instant messaging on the team interpersonal processes (cohesion and openness) to team effectiveness relationship in virtual teams. Data were obtained from 365 virtual team members using survey methodology and analyzed using hierarchical moderated regression and multilevel analyses. They found that team cohesion has a main effect on team effectiveness. Team openness has a main effect and is moderated by experience with instant messaging, i.e., strengthens the relationship. Understanding the role of team interpersonal processes and the role of the communication media will allow managers to more effectively build virtual teams and provide effective training and support. Using the theoretical lens of channel expansion theory the authors expand theoretical, empirical and practical knowledge of this area.

Creating Positive Attitudes in Virtual Team Members

2011 ◽  
pp. 76-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sandy Staples ◽  
Ann Frances Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Interpersonal Skills ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Task Autonomy ◽  
Team Potency ◽  
Team Spirit ◽  
Input Variables

Patterns of what is required to enhance a virtual team member’s satisfaction with their work and with being part of the team, their commitment to the team, and their motivation with the project were identified via case studies of six employee virtual teams. Positive patterns were found between two or more of these outcome attitudes and the following input variables: significance of the task, task autonomy, interpersonal skills, team potency, and team spirit. Managing these input variables well would be important for organizations with virtual teams, because doing so could positively affect the team members’ attitudes toward the work, leading to enhanced productivity and effective behavior. Implications for practitioners and researchers are offered.

Understanding Composition and Conflict in Virtual Teams

2011 ◽  
pp. 35-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Potter ◽  
Pierre Balthazard
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Conventional Wisdom ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Interaction Styles ◽  
Process Outcomes ◽  
Low Performance ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Constructive Interaction

Drawing from several years of empirical research, in this chapter, we look at the impact of the personalities of individual team members on the performance and process outcomes of virtual teams. Our studies showed that both too few and too many extroverts in a virtual team may result in low performance. While conventional wisdom says that teams should be set up on the basis of expertise, we argue that the resulting interaction styles of the members must be considered when establishing a virtual team. We offer suggestions for managers on assessing the potential for constructive interaction styles.

Best Practices for Virtual Team Effectiveness

Virtual Teams ◽  
2011 ◽  
pp. 160-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Sandy Staples ◽  
Ian K. Wong ◽  
Ann Frances Cameron
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Team Effectiveness ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Team Members

The purpose of this chapter is to improve the understanding of what makes virtual teams effective. This is done by identifying the best practices for individual team members, the best practices for leaders and sponsors of virtual teams, and the best practices for the organizations that the virtual teams are a part of. Best practices in these categories were identified from: (1) empirical evidence from case studies of six existing virtual teams; (2) the existing literature related to virtual teams; and, (3) traditional team (i.e., collocated) and telework literature. The chapter concludes with implications for organizations and potential research directions.

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