Virtual Teams: Importance of Technology, Transparency, and Trust

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VIRTUAL TEAMS
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Meaning of virtual teams
Virtual teams refer to a group of persons who link up together in a social way on a technical
platform (Fernando A. Crespo, 2012). The communities usually have a common interest,
which unites the group, or a similar challenge or task pursued based on implicit and explicit
codes of behaviour. The virtual teams play a role in assisting organisations to develop
solutions to problems by breaking the barriers of space and time (Nader Ale Ebrahim, 2009).
Additionally, the virtual teams consist of persons with complementary skills and have a
common objective or require solving a similar challenge.
Virtual groups develop to fulfil various activities within an organisation. Therefore, different
virtual teams exist each supposed to fulfil the type of goal held by the partners. The most
common virtual group is the telework group, which refers to a virtual team that deals with
telecommunication services. The teleworkers perform telecommunication activities and all
report to the same management. All the activities happen in different places at the locality of
the employees or the virtual team members (Michael D. Coovert, 2017).
The virtual organisations function based on technology to ensure successful communications
among the team (Nader Ale Ebrahim, 2009). The virtual team requires efficient and effective
communication technology to ensure the free flow of information in the organisation.
Moreover, the technology should ensure free communication since the members do not meet
to work on an issue. The virtual teams also require internal group dynamics and other
external technical support to ensure success. The support systems ensure richness of
information shared by the teams and the proper implementation of the technology (Nader Ale
Ebrahim, 2009).
Importance of technology in managing virtual teams

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Virtual teams require technology to facilitate the group’s communications in an efficient and
effective manner. Technology plays a role in bringing the group together since the members
are in different locations. Therefore, the need for a medium to pass and share information
within the group. The best use of technology is the development of a group website to create
cohesion and flow of activities in the group. The website should have a similar appearance to
reduce difficulties of navigation by the group members.
The virtual teams require a medium that facilitates a communication similar to face-to-face
communication (Nadeem Ehsan, 2008). All organisations require face-to-face
communication, which lacks in virtual teams and could result in failure. Therefore, the team
should implement technology to ensure smooth and constant sharing of information in the
virtual team. Therefore, the virtual teams utilise the computer-mediated communication
through computer technologies such as emails and video conferencing (Nadeem Ehsan,
2008). The CMC assists in sharing information with the geographically dispersed virtual
team members. The communication assists in maintaining the socio-emotional attitude of the
group members to get the jobs done. Moreover, the group develops a mutual collaboration
and a mutual interaction within the group, which results in efficient accomplishment of tasks.
Therefore, the major role played by the technology mediation is creating a collaboration and
cohesion among the group members. The cohesion prevents the failure of the group due to
the constant communication (Nadeem Ehsan, 2008).
Importance of transparency in virtual teams
Transparency in virtual teams plays a role in the success of activities since all the members
feel a belonging to the team. The team members need to feel connected with the activities and
decisions made in the group (Fernando A. Crespo, 2012). The team leaders should ensure that
all the members play a role in the choices and decisions made through getting a chance to