BUS6003 - International Management: Virtual Team Effectiveness

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of virtual team management, focusing on the challenges and opportunities presented by geographically dispersed teams. It explores the role of technology, communication, and cultural differences in fostering effective collaboration. The essay delves into the factors that contribute to virtual team success, including team composition, leadership strategies, trust-building, and the development of clear guidelines. It examines the impact of virtual teams on organizational objectives, customer satisfaction, and overall performance, drawing on research and real-world examples. Furthermore, the essay addresses the importance of adapting to cultural nuances and leveraging technological tools to optimize communication and enhance team performance. The essay also discusses the importance of clear communication, trust, and leadership in the success of virtual teams. Overall, the essay provides a detailed overview of the key elements involved in managing virtual teams effectively within the context of international business and highlights the importance of adapting to cultural nuances and leveraging technological tools to optimize communication and enhance team performance.

Running head: MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL TEAMS
MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL TEAMS
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL TEAMS
Introduction
A virtual team mainly refers to group of the individuals who are able to work together
from the various geographic locations with the help of appropriate technologies. The
communication technologies will be able to play a major role in proper enhancement of the
levels of collaboration between the employees of the firm and management of organizations as
well (Alaiad, Alnsour and Alsharo 2019). The different communication technologies that can be
implemented virtual teams mainly include FAX, video conferencing, email and many other voice
conferencing services as well. The term also refers to the groups or the teams that can work in a
collaborative manner at different levels of the organizations. The workers who are a part of the
virtual teams are mainly dispersed in different locations and can complete their jobs with the
help of proper collaboration (Aritz, Walker and Cardon 2018).
The essay will be based on the detailed analysis of the virtual teams that include different
employees who are present at various locations. The activities of virtual teams will be analyzed
with the help of different examples of organizations in various industries. The support that is
provided by the use of different technologies for maintaining the organizational operations and
activities of the teams will also be discussed in the report in detail.
Discussion of the effectiveness of virtual teams
As discussed by Breuer, Hüffmeier and Hertel (2016), the members of different virtual
teams can communicate with each other with the implementation of different electronic methods
as they are not always able to meet face-to-face. The virtual teams can maintain their activities in
an effective manner with the support that is provided by the proper use of different types of
technologies (Hbr.org, 2020). The organizations are able to procure the top level talent from

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different parts of the world who are located in different geographical locations with the help of
proper technological support. The virtual teams mainly require different ways of working across
the boundaries or the locations in which they are working with the proper implementation of
processes, systems and technologies as well (Glikson and Erez 2019).
According to Graham, Daniel and Doore (2016), the leaders of different virtual teams are
able to play a major role in enhancing the focus of employees and enhancing the success gained
by teamwork as well. The three major aspects that are a part of the process of development of
virtual teams include links, purpose and people. The purpose of virtual teams is mainly based on
the ways by which they are able to collaborate with each other. The lack of hierarchy in the
virtual teams are considered to be a major aspect related to the support they are able to provide to
organizational operations (Hbr.org, 2020). The effectiveness of virtual teams is also increased
with the support that is provided by the appropriate modern technologies. Different factors can
however have a major impact on the ways by which virtual teams are able to maintain the
operations. The attention of team members is considered to be a major factor that has a huge
impact on the activities that are performed by the virtual teams (Hill and Bartol 2018).
The cultural differences between different countries can also prove to be a major barrier
for the effectiveness of the virtual teams. The understanding of cultural aspects is considered to
be highly important for the members of the team so that they can collaborate with each other
effectively. The environments of virtual communication are experienced in a different manner by
the individuals who belong to different countries and different cultures as well. The dimension
based on individualism and collectivism has been taken into consideration for the purpose of
understanding the impact of cultural aspects on the virtual teams (Hoch and Dulebohn 2017).
The individuals who belong to individualist societies are able to depict different characteristics in

3MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL TEAMS
comparison to the individuals who are a part of the collectivist societies. Technical expertise
gained by the members of the teams can also influence the performance levels of the teams and
the levels of satisfaction that are related to becoming a part of the team (Jimenez et al. 2017).
As discussed by Krumm et al. (2016), the high trust levels within the team members will
also be able to influence the effectiveness of different teams that are a part of the organizations.
Mentoring is also considered to be an important factor that can have an impact on team
effectiveness levels. The diverse levels of technological skills have also been able to create huge
levels of conflicts between the teams. The teams also need to be provided with consistent levels
of training that are related to the proper improvement of team performance (Liao 2017). The
diversity levels in the technical skills gained by employees are able to create conflicts and this
can reduce the effectiveness of performance. The virtual teams are however considered to be less
effective in comparison to the teams that are a part of the organizations. The satisfaction of
customers, performance levels are influenced in a huge manner by the effectiveness of the virtual
teams (Marlow, Lacerenza and Salas 2017).
As discussed by Meier, Smith and Porter (2017), virtual teams and their operations can
have an impact on the objectives that have been set by the organization. The teams can thereby
be developed by the organization on a short term and long term basis in order to achieve the
goals that have been set by the firm. The relationships that are developed between the team
members and with the management of the organization in order to enhance the operations of the
firm in an effective manner (Wieland and Wolf 2016). The teams that are a part of the
organization can play a major role in proper enhancement of the operations of the firm. The
revenues of the organization can also be enhanced effectively with the support that is provided

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by the teams. The influence of virtual teams are considered to be different for the various
organizations with respect to the industries in which they operate (Moe et al. 2016).
According to Graham, Daniel and Doore (2016), the appeal of the virtual teams in
organizations is considered to be quite clear and this is helpful for them so that they can maintain
a balance between their personal lives and responsibilities that they have towards they have
towards the organization. The companies are also able to use the best available talent in different
countries for the purpose of enhancing levels of flexibility (Glikson and Erez 2019). The real
estate based costs incurred by the organizations can also be reduced in a huge manner by the
development of virtual teams in an effective manner. Many different researches have however
depicted that the virtual teams have not been successful in achieving the objectives that have
been set by them (Wieland and Wolf 2016).
A study that had been made by Deloitte in the year 2005 of the different IT projects had
been able to depict that the virtual teams have not been successful in satisfying the customers and
the clients. The result of researches have also suggested that the productivity levels of the
members who are a part of the virtual teams are also lower in comparison to the other teams that
are a part of the organization. Collaboration technology is considered to be a major part of the
ways by which virtual teams are able to provide their contribution towards operations of the
organizations (Breuer, Hüffmeier and Hertel 2016). Another study that was conducted in the year
2009 of around 80 global software based teams have been able to suggest that the virtual or
dispersed teams have been successful in outperforming the teams within the organizations. The
organizations that have used virtual teams have also depicted a growth of around 43% due to the
contribution that is provided by the employees (Aritz, Walker and Cardon 2018). Team
composition is considered to be the starting point of the process of proper development of

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activities of the teams. Virtual teamwork is also influenced by the size of the groups or teams
that are a part of the organization.
The proper composition of teams is considered to be the starting point of the proper
formation of virtual teams in the organizations. The people or individuals who are suitable for
development of virtual teamwork are able to develop the groups that of right size and the labor
can also be divided in an appropriate manner. The success that is gained by team players is based
on various factors that include high levels of emotional intelligence, ability to work in an
independent manner and resilience that has been developed for the purpose of enhancing the
operations (Moe et al. 2016). The proper development of teams are based on the ways by which
leaders can conduct the personality tests and the behavioral interviews of employees. The
effectiveness of teams are also influenced in a huge manner by their size and the tasks that are
provided to them as well. The development of inclusive levels of communication is also
considered to be a major factor that can impact the growth of virtual teams in an effective
manner (Breuer, Hüffmeier and Hertel 2016).
The performance levels of the teams can be optimized with the help of the players or
members who are a part of the teams. The organizations are able to provide different roles to the
team members with respect to their skill levels. The decisions that are made by the management
of organizations are also influenced in a huge manner by the support and contribution provided
by the members of virtual teams. The leadership of an organization is able to play a major role in
the ways by which teams are able to depict their performance levels in an effective manner
(Hoch and Dulebohn 2017). The managers of dispersed teams will have an impact on the
activities and performance levels of the virtual teams in different parts of the world. The proper
enhancement of trust levels in the organizations will be able to influence the performance levels

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of employees and members of the teams as well. The communication process in the
organizations can be developed in an effective manner with the help of different methods that
include, email, text message and phone (Aritz, Walker and Cardon 2018).
The employees who are a part of the same teams and are present in different parts of the
world can communicate in an effective manner with the proper implementation of different
communication based processes. The management of organizations can also aim at encouraging
the use of open dialogue for the purpose of communicating with each other and proper
enhancement of relationships as well. The conference calls are able to play a major role in
enhancing the operations of various modern organizations (Hbr.org, 2020). The guidelines and
goals of the organization have to be made clear by the management of the firm for the purpose of
gaining maximum potential of the employees or the members of different teams as well. The
guidelines that are provided to the team members will be able to support the interaction between
members of the teams (Jimenez et al. 2017).
Research has been able to depict that the proper implementation of rules can reduce the
levels of uncertainty that are faced by the organizations or the members of different teams as
well. The trust levels of employees can be enhanced and the productivity of the teams also tends
to increase with the support that is provided by the development of guidelines and rules (Breuer,
Hüffmeier and Hertel 2016). Virtual teammates are also able to understand each other’s demands
and needs if they are provided with similar guidelines so that they are able to provide effective
levels of performance as well. The proper levels of understanding between the team members
can also lead to increased collaboration based activities that can help them to fulfil the
organizational objectives and goals. The employees are also able to provide huge support to the

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growth of organizations and their skills can be used effectively in different activities as well
(Wieland and Wolf 2016).
The organization named Basecamp can be taken into consideration as a major example of
the contribution that is provided by the virtual teams in order to fulfil different organizational
objectives. Basecamp had started its operations in the year 1999 with around four employees.
Presently the company has around 50 employees who work from different locations in the world.
The company has been able to gain the best levels of talent from various parts of the world in
order to fulfil the objectives and goals (Alaiad, Alnsour and Alsharo 2019). The founders of the
organization David Hansson and Jason Fried had encourages the employees to work from any
part of the world in order to accomplish the organizational goals. The organization has also
aimed at offering unique benefits to the employees in order to encourage their work process and
the ways by which they are able to enhance the organizational operations as well. The diversity
levels in the different teams of the organization were also quite high and the managers have been
able to play a major role in supporting the proper fulfilment of the objectives (Jimenez et al.
2017).
Buffer is considered to be the example of another organization that is able to use the
virtual teams in an effective manner for the purpose of enhancing the operations of the firm. The
major purpose of the firm is to schedule the Tweets, LinkedIn Updates and Facebook posts on a
periodic basis. Buffer has been able to develop a core team that consists of around 25 employees
who are present in different countries. The productivity levels of the virtual teams are also
considered to be quite high and the operations of the firm have been supported by the employees
based on the contribution that they have provided from different parts of the world (Marlow,
Lacerenza and Salas 2017). The organization has also provided encouragement to the employees

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or members of the virtual teams and they have always been happy about the freedom that they
have gained. The diverse group of individuals who are a part of Buffer have enhanced the levels
of diversity in the organization. The opinions and ideas of the employees have proved to be
effective for the organization in order to maintain its position in the industry (Glikson and Erez
2019).
Zapier had started its operations in the year 2011 and the company had been able to grow
from the part-time side based project that is developed of three college students. The size of the
company was based on around 20 full-time based employees. The employees are able to develop
a smart and useful niche that has led to the development of operations of various apps. The
development of distributed teams have led to the enhancement of operations of an organization
like Zapier (Alaiad, Alnsour and Alsharo 2019). Zapier has proved to be a major influencer for
movement of the virtual workforce in the industry. The organization has been able to develop a
comprehensive guide for the purpose of developing the remote operations. Zapier is a company
that loves the implementation of modern technologies for the purpose of enhancing the
performance levels of the teams. The company has also aimed at the usage of different
technologies for the proper improvement of team performance and organizational operations as
well. The tools that are mainly used by Zapier include Slack, Async, Trello, GitHub and Last
Pass Enterprise (Hoch and Dulebohn 2017).
Batchbook can be considered to be an example of another small business organization
that is helpful for proper streamlining of the sales processes and connecting with the consumers
as well. The company has used the virtual and on-location teams for the purpose of achieving the
objectives that have been set. The mixed workforce of the organization aims at harnessing the
talent of employees who belong to different countries of the world. Bathchbook has aimed

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supporting the culture of the company and the co-located workforce is able to influence the ways
by which the goals and objectives have been fulfilled (Breuer, Hüffmeier and Hertel 2016). The
development of relationships between the employees is however considered to be quite difficult
as the members of different teams tend to provide different opinions related to the organizational
aspects. The proper development of connection and communication is however considered to be
important for an organization like Batchbook so that it can maintain its position in the industry.
The company has however been able to develop some solutions that are based on the levels of
compromise that can be made with respect to relationships that are formed between the
employees (Graham, Daniel and Doore 2016).
Automattic is also another organization that has aimed at using the virtual teams for the
purpose of fulfilling the goals and objectives in an effective manner. The organization has
developed a distributed workforce that consists more than 100 employees in around 43 countries
of the world. The technological tools are widely used by the organization for the purpose of
developing the communication process in an effective manner. The use of different technologies
has been able to enhance the operations of the firm in an effective manner. The distributed teams
have the responsibility to handle the organizational aspects and proper achievement of goals as
well. The distributed teams are able to provide major levels of support with respect to proper
improvement of productivity and culture of the company.
The example of Trello can also be taken into consideration for the purpose of
understanding the effectiveness of the virtual teams. The company has used a free software for
the purpose of conducting the conferences in an effective manner. The members of the teams are
able to upload the documents, create the checklists and can also interact with each other and the
leaders for the purpose of enhancing the organizational operations. The marketing department of

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Trello is able to play a major role in enhancing its operations and communication process within
the teams as well. The success gained by distributed teams has been able to provide major
support to the growth that has been gained by Trello in the industry. The video meetings,
development of current projects and up-to-date operations are mainly based on the ways by
which an organization like Trello can maintain its growth in the industry. The tools related to
digital communication have also been able to support operations of the organization and its
growth in the industry as well. The managers also need to communicate with the individual
members of the team in order to understand their needs and demands. The proper fulfilment of
the needs of team members can further lead to the enhancement of revenues that are gained by
Trello in the highly competitive industry.
The studies and researches have also been able to depict that the size of different teams
have a major impact on their effectiveness. The size of teams are however dependent on the
complexity levels of different projects. The employees also tend to reduce the time efforts that
can be provided as a part of the team when they start feeling they can be held responsible for the
negative outputs or failure of the entire project as well (Hbr.org, 2020). The teams that have
more than four or five members tend to provide low productivity due to the lack of effective
communication. The roles that are played by the members of team and their importance in the
organizational processes can influence the operations of organizations and success of the teams
as well (Hbr.org, 2020).
Conclusion
The essay can be concluded by stating that the effectiveness of virtual teams is highly
dependent on different factors that include their size, the cultural understanding of the members
and support provided by the organization as well. The examples of the two organizations that

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have been taken into consideration are able to depict the success that has been gained by the
virtual teams is mainly based on the support provided by management of the firms. The
management is able to play a major role in proper enhancement of the revenues gained by the
organizations and their effective operations as well. The diversity levels in the virtual teams are
however considered to be a major factor that is able to increase their importance in the modern
organizations.