Technology in the online newsroom: the use of collaborative tools in virtual team management

This chapter aims to explore the increasing utilization of virtual teams in the existing globally competitive and complex business environment of the 21st century. With virtual teams, companies can expand their talent pool beyond geographical barriers. Furthermore, they can incorporate a follow-the-sun process in their business strategy. Combined, this leveraged approach can better position companies to meet market demands in a more timely and cost-effective manner. To achieve this competitive advantage, business leaders must thoroughly understand the challenges associated with developing and managing virtual teams. This chapter examines the reasons for utilizing virtual teams, challenges that stem from diversity, structural and behavioral characteristics, managerial considerations for effective leadership, supporting technologies, best practices, and future implications.

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E-Tools for E-Team

Advances in IT Personnel and Project Management - Strategic Management and Leadership for Systems Development in Virtual Spaces ◽

10.4018/978-1-4666-9688-4.ch006 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 90-109

Author(s):

Cathrine Linnes

Keyword(s):

Virtual Teams ◽

Computer Mediated Communication ◽

Virtual Team ◽

Online Collaboration ◽

Mediated Communication ◽

Collaborative Tools ◽

Computer Mediated ◽

Collaboration Skills ◽

Virtual Projects ◽

The University

Organizations are heavily investing in virtual teams to enhance their performance and competitiveness. These types of teams are made possible by advances in computer-mediated communication and software that allows people to work collaboratively on projects without being co-located or even working at the same time. Managing teams and collaborating online presents unique challenges. Maintaining a productive virtual team requires more than just the willingness of global participants, but even more so the tools to conduct and manage virtual projects. It is therefore important to incorporate online collaboration skills into the IT curriculum at the university level. This chapter provides a general overview of virtual teams; today's collaborative tools, and discuss expertise necessary for virtual teams to be successful.

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