Managing and Leading Virtual Teams

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of managing and leading virtual teams. It also provides recommendations for building and managing virtual teams effectively. The article covers the concept of virtual teams, advantages, disadvantages, and recommendations. It also includes a reference list.

Running head: MANAGING AND LEADING VIRTUAL TEAMS
Managing and Leading Virtual Teams
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MANAGING AND LEADING VIRTUAL TEAMS
To: Christian Ford
From: Sam Thompson
Date: 10th August 2018
Subject: Leading and managing virtual teams
The modern work places function on the basis of remote and virtual working conditions. The
success of the teams depend mostly on effective communication network. Additionally, I
have built up a virtual team that will help in marketing and is located in different places like
New York, Beijing, Mumbai and Sydney. The memo will be based on discussing the
disadvantages and advantages that are present in managing the virtual teams in a proper
manner. However, it needs to be taken in to consideration that critical areas need to be
identified so that it can be addressed in a proper manner leading to the success of the virtual
team. Moreover, proper recommendations in building up the virtual team has been included
along with the concluding statement.
Firstly, I would like to provide an introduction regarding the concept of virtual team. The
concept of virtual team is that a group of persons needs to perform as a team from different
locations based on the communication technology that is available such as video
conferencing, emails, FAX and other mediums that will help in communicating in a proper
manner (Hoch and Kozlowski 2014). To put it simply, it can be stated that people have to
work together as a team in different levels present in the organization in a synchronized
manner. The group maybe dispersed based on the location and organization and will
collaborate with the help of information and telecommunication technologies so that the task
of the organization can be accomplished (Lilian 2014).

2MANAGING AND LEADING VIRTUAL TEAMS
Advantages
The advance use of the information technology along with meeting the demands of the target
consumers, globalization and the expectation of the employees have created an environment
that is competitive in nature. Thus it has resulted in taking up virtual teams within the
organization due to its popularity and benefits. Firstly, it is affordable in nature, as the cost of
creating a virtual team is minimum. Companies provide all the technological support that is
required to create virtual teams. The cost of overhead is also very less as the offices have
computers and space that can help in the creation of virtual teams (Morgan, Paucar-Caceres
and Wright 2014).
Additionally, the teams also receive flexible support due to the easy availability of the
requirements. The length of the service is also set up according to the needs of the companies.
Another advantage is that it helps in assembling the talented individuals that are present to
work together as a team in different locations dealing with difficult projects. This results in
creating a place for innovation and increase the level of creativity as well (Barnwell et al.
2014).
Disadvantages
The disadvantage is that it is very difficult in managing and leading the teams in a proper
manner. The challenge is that if there is a lack in the communication process, it may lead to
the hampering of the projects on a global manner. The location of the employees is also a
factor, as it may disrupt the communication lines between the teams (El-Sofany, Alwadani
and Alwadani 2014).
The lack of leadership skills within the team may also affect the quality of the work that is
being delivered by the teams. It is necessary for the teams to select a proper leader who will
understand the requirement of the individuals and solve the conflicts that may take place so

3MANAGING AND LEADING VIRTUAL TEAMS
that the communication and effectiveness of the members can be increased to a great extent.
Additionally, it is also important to hire the right employees who can help in building up the
team so that the projects can be delivered in a proper and efficient manner (Crisp and
Jarvenpaa 2013).
Recommendations
I would recommend that the virtual teams need to be led and managed in a proper manner, as
it will provide benefits to the organization to a great extent. It may become a simple solution
for start-up companies so that their demands can be met in an efficient way. It will also help
in delivering the complex projects to the clients with the help of skilled employees so that the
organization can grow in the market as well.
To conclude, it can be stated that the use of virtual team will help in providing benefits to the
companies. The disadvantages have to be taken in to account so that the organizations can
neglect it and build the team for a better and positive outcome.
Finally, I am of the opinion that the query has been solved and if more information is
required please feel free to contact me.
Thank you

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Reference List
Barnwell, D., Nedrick, S., Rudolph, E., Sesay, M. and Wellen, W., 2014. Leadership of
international and virtual project teams. International Journal of Global Business, 7(2).
Crisp, C.B. and Jarvenpaa, S.L., 2013. Swift trust in global virtual teams: Trusting beliefs and
normative actions. Journal of Personnel Psychology, 12(1), p.45.
El-Sofany, H.F., Alwadani, H.M. and Alwadani, A., 2014. Managing virtual team work in IT
projects: Survey. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning (iJAC), 7(4), pp.28-
33.
Hoch, J.E. and Kozlowski, S.W., 2014. Leading virtual teams: Hierarchical leadership,
structural supports, and shared team leadership. Journal of applied psychology, 99(3), p.390.
Lilian, S.C., 2014. Virtual teams: Opportunities and challenges for e-leaders. Procedia-Social
and Behavioral Sciences, 110, pp.1251-1261.
Morgan, L., Paucar-Caceres, A. and Wright, G., 2014. Leading effective global virtual teams:
The consequences of methods of communication. Systemic Practice and Action Research,
27(6), pp.607-624.