Communication Challenges for Management of Global Virtual Teams

This report undertakes a literature review of the communication challenges faced by global virtual teams. It begins by defining global virtual teams and the importance of effective communication, which facilitates information sharing and team cohesion. The report then identifies key challenges, including technological limitations, cross-cultural miscommunication due to language barriers and cultural differences, and the lack of face-to-face interaction, which can reduce trust and loyalty among team members. The study emphasizes how these communication issues can hinder team effectiveness and success in a global context. The report concludes by reiterating the importance of addressing these challenges to improve the performance of global virtual teams, highlighting the need for better communication strategies and technological solutions.

Running head: COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL TEAMS
COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL
GLOBAL TEAMS
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1COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................2
Global Virtual Teams and Communication Process..................................................................2
Importance of effective communication for virtual teams.........................................................3
Communication challenges for the management of global virtual teams..................................3
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................4
References..................................................................................................................................5

2COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS
Introduction
As opined by Lockwood (2015), teams have become an integral part of the
organisational structure of the workplaces of the different business enterprises and it is seen
that they are specialise in the handling one or more genre of tasks or work roles. Ford,
Piccolo and Ford (2017) are of the viewpoint that the recent advancements or the
developments in technological landscape has given rise to virtual teams which help the
business enterprises to effectively manage their workflow. However, despite the different
benefits offered by the global virtual teams it is seen that one of the major challenges that the
business enterprises face regarding the usage of virtual teams and which as a matter of fact
deter them from the usage of the same can be ascribed to the communication challenges that
they face. This paper will undertake a literature review of the communication challenges that
the business enterprises for the effective management of global virtual teams.
Global Virtual Teams and Communication Process
Cleary et al. (2015) have articulated the viewpoint that the construct of global virtual
teams be defined as the kind of teams in which the different team members are from diverse
geographical locations brought together for the effective completion of a particular job or
task. On the other hand, Lohikoski et al. (2016) have stated that because of the international
process that the business enterprises are undertaking in an extensive manner they are often
required work with individuals from diverse nations so as to offer the best quality services or
products to the customers. In this regard, it needs to be said that one of the most important
requirements of the global virtual teams is an effective communication which will enable the
various members of the concerned team from the diverse nations or regions to effectively
communicate with each other and thereby complete the stipulated job or task (Lee 2016).

3COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS
Importance of effective communication for virtual teams
Jimenez et al. (2017) are of the viewpoint that the construct of effective
communication enables the team members of the global virtual teams to cascade important
work-related information to each other and also to seek guidance from the other members of
the team. This is important because of the fact that if adequate work-related information, are
not being passed on to the team members then it is more likely that they would not be able to
complete the job roles assigned to them in the stipulated time or in the desired quality manner
(Binder 2016). More importantly, the construct of effective communication acts as the
cohesive force which in turn helps to unite the different members of the team from the
diverse parts of the world.
Communication challenges for the management of global virtual teams
There are various communication challenges which hinder the effective management
of the global virtual teams. Ford, Piccolo and Ford (2017) are of the viewpoint that one of the
most important communication challenges that the virtual teams face can be ascribe to the
genre of communication technology. In this regard, it needs to be said that not all the nations
of the world have been able to attain the same level of technological growth and this in turn
greatly affects the modes of communication that they have (Lohikoski et al. 2016). However,
within the particular context of the global virtual teams it is seen that the process of effective
communication acts the life of these teams. Therefore, if the members of the team do not
have access to the effective communication technologies then this could significantly affect
the communication process that is being used by them which in turn can greatly affect the
effectiveness or the success of the team. Another important communication challenge that the
global virtual teams face can be ascribe to the process of cross-cultural miscommunication
since the team members in the global virtual teams are from different nations (Cleary et al.
2015). Furthermore, in the absence of face-to-face interaction the members of the team had to

4COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS
depend on the literal meaning of the words which are different in different languages (Lee
2016). This in turn not only gives rise to different miscommunications but at the same time
reduces the level of loyalty or trust that the team members have on each other and thereby
affects the stability of the teams.
Conclusion
To conclude, the technological developments of recent times and globalisation had
given rise to the construct of global virtual teams. The members of these teams are from
different geographical regions which are united for the achievement of a common objective.
However, at the same time it is seen that there are various communication challenges that the
global virtual teams like the ones related to communication technology, cross-cultural
miscommunication, lack of face-to-face communication and others which adversely affect the
effectiveness or the success of these teams.

5COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES IN GLOBAL VIRTUAL TEAMS
References
Binder, J., 2016. Global project management: communication, collaboration and
management across borders. Routledge.
Cleary, Y., Flammia, M., Minacori, P. and Slattery, D.M., 2015, July. Global virtual teams
create and translate technical documentation: Communication strategies, challenges and
recommendations. In 2015 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference
(IPCC) (pp. 1-10). IEEE.
Ford, R.C., Piccolo, R.F. and Ford, L.R., 2017. Strategies for building effective virtual teams:
Trust is key. Business Horizons, 60(1), pp.25-34.
Jimenez, A., Boehe, D.M., Taras, V. and Caprar, D.V., 2017. Working across boundaries:
Current and future perspectives on global virtual teams. Journal of International
Management, 23(4), pp.341-349.
Lee, M.R., 2016. Leading virtual project teams: Adapting leadership theories and
communications techniques to 21st century organizations. Auerbach Publications.
Lockwood, J., 2015. Virtual team management: what is causing communication
breakdown?. Language and intercultural communication, 15(1), pp.125-140.
Lohikoski, P., Kujala, J., Haapasalo, H., Aaltonen, K. and Ala-Mursula, L., 2016. Impact of
trust on communication in global virtual teams. International Journal of Knowledge-Based
Organizations (IJKBO), 6(1), pp.1-19.