ABSTRACT
A number of factors are contributing to an increasing emphasis on teams, including the
increasing availability and affordability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
and demands for making work more flexible by reducing its dependence on location. Many
organizations have flattened their structures and delegated responsibility in order to cut costs
and to utilize the skills of the workforce more effectively. Shifting authority and responsibility
down the organization allows teams to take over roles and functions previously performed
by management. There are also changes in relationships – among employees, between
employees and employers, and between all kinds of organizations and their customers and
business partners. Companies that formerly developed products solo are now forming
development alliances with suppliers, customers, contractors, consultants, and even
competitors.