Papers by Keyword: Virtual Teams

Abstract: This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted during March to September 2009. The study focused on the influence of virtual research and development (R&D) teams within Malaysian manufacturing small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The specific objective of the study is better understanding of the application of collaborative technologies in business, to find the effective factors to assist SMEs to remain competitive in the future. The paper stresses to find an answer for a question “Is there any relationship between company size, Internet connection facility and virtuality”. The survey data shows SMEs are now technologically capable of performing the virtual collaborative team, but the infrastructure usage is less. SMEs now have the necessary technology to begin the implementation process of collaboration tools to reduce research and development (R&D) time, costs and increase productivity. So, the manager of R&D should take the potentials of virtual teams into account.

Abstract: Organisations are increasingly leveraging improved decision making processes during the establishment of project teams. Beyond the obvious advantages of accessing qualified, cost-effective project staff, the issues of sustainability and governance are addressed when the virtual teaming approach is used. Projects can proceed without people needing to travel to a co-located work-place, thus saving time, effort and expense while creating less environmental pollution. But there is a governance problem; running virtual projects, particularly complex projects involve a greater degree of difficulty than managing co-located projects. What is needed are effective, practical methods for managing virtual projects. This paper introduces a new Reference Model of Organisational Behavior (RMOB) for the Leadership of Complex Virtual Teams which is arguably an effective way to meet the challenges of virtual teaming. This paper also discusses the new issue of sustainable leadership with mention of the proposed Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Management indicators that point towards sustainable governance.