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606 VIRTUALTEAMSin a traditional office setting may also increase the virtual
team’s focus on the task.
Organizations may recognize significant cost savings
by making the most of what Internet technologies have
to offer. Not having team members physically located at
a central facility can save on office space. Virtual team
members interact using Internet-based communication
technology, eliminating the need to travel for face-to-face
meetings. With virtual team members not traveling long
distances, as well as not driving to a fixed office loca-
tion, the use of virtual teams is also very environmentally
friendly.
Lastly, the use of virtual teams can be a great advantage
in the event of a catastrophe. Natural or human-made dis-
asters can be devastating to organizations that have their
entire workforce in one physical site. Virtual teams are
spread out around the globe, ensuring that data and other
vital functions can continue in the event of a calamity.Challenges
Virtual teams must address a variety of challenges that can
be detrimental to the organization. While being separated
geographically can be an advantage for virtual teams, it
can be a disadvantage as well. If a face-to-face meeting is
required, the logistics of arranging such a gathering can be
cumbersome. Even an Internet-based synchronous meet-
ing can be difficult to organize due to time zone differ-
ences.
Often virtual team members will feel isolated, lonely,
and disconnected from the organization and consequently
will not form a productive, cohesive working unit. They
may fear their accomplishments will not be recognized
by the organization. Conversely, the line between work
and home can become blurred for virtual team members.
The constant communication among the virtual team can
result in information overload. It is possible that virtual
team members will lose focus on the task if they are not
self-directed personalities.
Miscommunication can happen very easily in virtual
teams. Cultural differences can be barriers to effective
communication among all members of the team. Not ev-
eryone may speak the same language, resulting in misun-
derstandings that can be damaging to the organization.
Using Internet-based communication technologies can
also result in an increase in costs for the organization.
Technology is very resource intensive. Initial purchase of
the hardware and software, upgrades, maintenance of the
infrastructure, training of employees, and the creation of
a support team can be an ongoing expense that is detri-
mental to the organization. New technologies may not be
compatible with existing technology, resulting in further
cost to the organization. Keeping the Internet-based tech-
nology used by the virtual teams secure from outside de-
structive forces such as hackers requires further outlay of
revenue.
If the administrative structure of the organization does
not support the concept of virtual teams, the team will fail.
Working in a virtual team requires a new way of thinking
for both employees and management. Organizations that
do not provide the tools necessary for the success of the
virtual team will be at a distinct disadvantage.CONCLUSION
The virtual world is a reality. More and more people
are interacting at all levels—economically, socially, and
educationally—solely in a virtual environment. Because of
the nature of business today, using virtual teams is rapidly
becoming an industry standard and organizations must
adapt.
Successfully implementing a virtual team demands
careful planning and preparation. The need for a virtual
team must be well established. The virtual team members
and the leader of the team need to be identified. A task for
the virtual team and the processes to complete that task
have to be clearly articulated. The challenges of culture,
geography, technology, and resources must be dealt with
accordingly.
To keep the virtual team operating efficiently there need
to be very clear and constant lines of communication be-
tween all involved. A strong technological infrastructure,
primarily Internet-based, is critical for the virtual team
to be effective and accomplish its goals. The variety of
Internet tools available to virtual teams ensures that the
proper technology is used in the facilitation and ultimate
completion of the task.
Without the Internet, virtual teams would not exist.
The use of synchronous and asynchronous Internet-based
communication technologies has allowed people to work
and collaborate without regard to time or geography. New
and developing Internet technologies are increasing the
amount and quality of interactions between virtual team
members. The use of the Internet in virtual teams is be-
coming seamless and practically invisible—the Internet is
simply a part of the everyday operation of a virtual team.GLOSSARY
Avatar A graphical representation of a person interact-
ing in a virtual world.
Bulletin board A groupware product that allows for
electronic exchange of information, chatting, and doc-
ument sharing.
Chat Communicating in real time by typing text mes-
sages on a computer; also called instant messaging.
Cyberspace The world that exists on the Internet.
E-mail Messages sent electronically over communica-
tions networks.
Emoticon Using keyboard characters to textually con-
vey an emotion.
Firewall Software preventing unauthorized access to a
computer system.
Groupware Using computer aids to work collabora-
tively.
Internet A decentralized networking infrastructure
connecting computers around the world.
Intranet The same technologies as the Internet, existing
only within an organization behind a firewall.
Listserv A mailing list that transmits e-mail messages
available only to people on the list.
Netiquette Appropriate behavior by people using the
Internet.
Remote access The ability to connect to a network from
a distant location.