Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Teams by Adapting Team Processes

Authors: Daniel J. Rice Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA 13244 Barry D. Davidson Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA 13244 John F. Dannenhoffer Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, USA 13244 Geri K. Gay Kenneth J. Bissett Professor of Communications & Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, USA 14850-4623

2007 Article Bibliometrics · Downloads (6 Weeks): n/a · Downloads (12 Months): n/a · Citation Count: 0

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· Journal

Computer Supported Cooperative Work archive

Volume 16 Issue 6, December 2007 Kluwer Academic Publishers Norwell, MA, USA table of contents doi>10.1007/s10606-007-9070-3

Results are presented from a study on virtual teams and whether appropriate early training can positively influence their effectiveness. Sixteen teams that worked together for periods ranging from three months to three years were studied. Team processes that emerged naturally from long-duration teams were formalized and taught to shorter duration teams. These shorter duration teams comprised three different cohorts, each of which received different levels of training. It was found that the adoption of formal procedures and structured processes significantly increased the effectiveness of virtual teams. Tasks that lend themselves to a structured approach were most effectively accomplished during virtual meetings, whereas face-to-face interactions were better for relatively unstructured, discussion intensive tasks. The performance of a virtual team was significantly improved when team processes were adapted to the affordances of the CMC environment. It is shown that this adaptation can occur very rapidly if teams are trained on the technology as well as on work processes that best exploit it.
Improving the Effectiveness of Virtual Teams by Adapting Team Processes