Peer Evaluation : The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs

The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs

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Title : The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs
Author(s) : Nader Ale Ebrahim

Abstract : The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those involved with research and development (R&D) programs and employed virtual teams to create the greatest competitive advantage from limited labor are increasing. Global and localized virtual R&D teams are believed to have high potential for the growth of SMEs. Due to the fast-growing complexity of new products coupled with new emerging opportunities of virtual teams, a collaborative approach is believed to be the future trend. This research explores the effectiveness of virtuality in SMEs’ virtual R&D teams. Online questionnaires were emailed to Malaysian manufacturing SMEs and 74 usable questionnaires were received, representing a 20.8 percent return rate. In order to avoid biases which may result from pre-suggested answers, a series of open-ended questions were retrieved from the experts. This study was focused on analyzing an open-ended question, whereby four main themes were extracted from the experts’ recommendations regarding the effectiveness of virtual teams for the growth and performance of SMEs. The findings of this study would be useful to product design managers of SMEs in order to realize the key advantages and significance of virtual R&D teams during the new product development (NPD) process. This in turn, leads to increased effectiveness in new product development's procedure.

Keywords : Virtual Teams, New Product Development, Survey Finding, Small and Medium Enterprises.

Subject : Technology Management
Area : Computer Science
Language : English
Year : 2011

Affiliations :

Research Support Unit, Centre of Research Services, Institute of Research Management and Monitoring (IPPP), University of Malaya, Malaysia

Journal : Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Volume : 10
Issue : 2
Publisher : Korean Institute of Industrial Engineers
Pages : 109-114
Isbn : 1598-7248
Doi : 10.7232/iems.2011.10.2.109

Peer Evaluation : The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs