Managing across borders
10 important questions on Managing across borders
Characteristics of virtual teams
o Extensive utilization of collaborative technologies;
o IT-based ‘just-in-time’ knowledge sharing networks, and;
o Assimilate localized expertise and proficiencies without being constrained by the handicap of collocation
Benefits of virtual teams
oFluidity of membership (just in time knowledge networks);
oFlexible working style;
oGroup polarization (more diversified thinking than normal teams).
- Adaptability, flexibility, agility, speed of response
- resources of the firm
- concentration or core competencies
- ability to globalize
Dangers of virtual teams
oHard to keep track of individual contribution due to the heavy reliance on technology for communication; and
- Potential for loss of control of functions, information and technology
- Requirements for managers to learn to trust and manage beyond their own walls
- Need for coordination of business processes, personnel and information systems
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How to enhance benefits and decrease dangers
Virtual breeding environment
Virtual breeding environment factors:
- Competencies
- Value systems
- Incentive systems
- Trust management
Virtual organization framework:
- Global information network (electronic)
- Virtual organization (Partners, Firm, software development, decision)
- Virtual organizational data
- External data
Knowledge management systems:
- Codified knowledge
- Mich, multiple communication channels
- Share knowledge
- Rapid development capabilities
- Trust building
- peer-to-peer collaboration tools
- Stable history of individual contributions
- Feedback
Media richness theory
- communication medium can be ranked by its abilty to handle message
- Media performance depends on the fit between media choice and task requirements
- feedback, personal focus, language variety
IBM case virtual world
- Online brainstroming
- Second Life
- Minimized travel costs
- Greater diversity
- Work in teams
- Work anywhere everywhere
- Physical handicaps are not a problem
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