Managing across borders

10 important questions on Managing across borders

Characteristics of virtual teams

o   Groups of geographically and/or temporally dispersed individuals;
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

oLower cost and improved resource allocation;
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

social loafing or group cohesion
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

* being goal-oriented
* goal commitment

Virtual breeding environment

Supporting collaborations in a virtual organization with the main goal of increasing both chances and preparedness towards collaboration in potential virtual organization

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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