ABSTRACT
Introduction ........................................................................................................ 609 Three Linked Perspectives ................................................................................. 610
Perspective 1: Virtuality ............................................................................ 610 Perspective 2: Technologies ...................................................................... 612 Perspective 3: Management ...................................................................... 612
Key Dimensions of Virtual Teams ..................................................................... 613 Structural Factors ...................................................................................... 614
Human Factors .............................................................................. 614 Technologies ................................................................................. 615 Operational Context ...................................................................... 616
Team Processes ......................................................................................... 617 Communicational .......................................................................... 617 Relational ...................................................................................... 618 Functional ..................................................................................... 618
Key Dimensions of Virtual Teams: What Can We Learn? ................................. 619 Lesson 1: Individuals Are Central to the Virtual Team ............................. 619 Lesson 2: Technology Is Only Part of the Equation ................................. 619 Lesson 3: Cultural Awareness Is a Must ................................................... 620 Lesson 4: Operational Factors Affect Team Processes ............................. 620 Lesson 5: Facilitate and Support Team Processes .................................... 620
Concluding Remarks .......................................................................................... 622 References .......................................................................................................... 622
Recent developments in information and communication technologies (ICT) have spurred the rise of virtual teams as a new form of collaboration in project execution, particularly in industries where specialists from various functional units pool their talents, as in the software, aerospace, and telecommunications industries.
