scholarly journals Is High ICT Intensity Always the Ideal?

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-64
Author(s):  
Jiahe Song ◽  
Muhammad A. Razi ◽  
J. Michael Tarn
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Good Deal ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Virtual Collaboration ◽  
Virtual Communication ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Ideal

Virtual communication is a preferred working style for remotely structured teams to remain productivity while reducing cost. A variety of information and communication technologies (ICTs) are available for providing technical support to virtual teams. While companies as a whole have been accumulating a good deal of experience for executing virtual collaboration, challenges still exist due to the nature of different industries or organizations' business environment. The goal of this paper is to explore the types of ICTs adopted and ICT intensity implemented by contemporary virtual teams. Interview-based cases with companies located in U.S., U.K., and China were conducted to achieve our goal. Important insight for research and practice are discussed.

Virtual Work Research Agenda

2011 ◽  
pp. 4018-4023
Author(s):  
France Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Virtual Work ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Work Arrangements ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Conducting Research

The paper by Bélanger, Watson-Manheim, and Jordan (2002) addresses the gap between research conducted and practitioner concerns in virtual work. One of the key difficulties in conducting research in this area is the overlap between terms used (McCloskey & Igbaria, 1998; Pinsonneault & Boisvert, 2001). While there are other distributed work arrangements such as hotelling, neighborhood work centers and flextime, most of the previous literature has focused on telecommuting (telework) and virtual teams/ organizations. In this article, the term virtual work represents work environments where individuals spend some time working in a non-face-to-face (FTF) mode, using information and communication technologies to perform work activities. Virtual work environments are increasingly employed by organizations. While there is increased complexity and potential for problems, virtual work strategies allow organizations a great deal of flexibility to compete in a rapidly changing business environment. While existing research provides insights into such environments, it does not clearly deal with major concerns faced by managers (referred to as the “gap” between research and practice). One of the potential reasons for this gap is that practicing managers are concerned with current challenges in their own work setting while academics are concerned with developing more generalizable rules and understanding.

Virtual Teams Classification

2011 ◽  
pp. 570-573
Author(s):  
Kangning Wei ◽  
Chingning Wang
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
P 16 ◽  
Best Fit

It is a considerable challenge for most of today’s organizations to cope with the rapidly changing business environment, such as global competition and technology revolution (Townsend et al., 1998; Walker, 2000). In response to these changes, organizations must be more dynamic in their organizational operations and adopt innovative approaches to survive and compete effectively (Arnison & Miller, 2002). One of the successful ways is to establish “virtual teams” as organizing units of work. Virtual teams are groups of geographically and/or organizationally dispersed workers assembled together mainly by information and communication technologies (ICT) to accomplish one or more organizational tasks (DeSanctis & Poole, 1997; Townsend et al., 1998). Recent research has studied a wide range of potential benefits virtual teams offer to organizations, but implementations of virtual teams in organizations will be at risk if organizations fail to address many challenges faced in virtual context (Powell, Piccoli, & Ives, 2004). One of the fundamental questions is to understand the nature of virtual teams. Specially, what kind of virtual teams is the best fit with this organization and task? As Bell and Kozlowski (2002) point out, “the literature has tended to treat virtual teams as a single ‘ideal’ type, yet there are several dimensions or characteristics that vary among and distinguish different types of virtual teams” (p.16). This article underlies four conceptual dimensions that distinguish different types of virtual teams from the literature review. The combination of these dimensions yields many possible types of virtual teams. We hope this classification could provide basic information for further research in virtual teams.

Adoption of Information and Communication Technologies in Textile Virtual Collaboration

2014 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Siyan Fang ◽  
Chester K.M. To ◽  
Zhiming Zhang ◽  
Jimmy M.T. Chang
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Team ◽  
Critical Issue ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Remote Collaboration ◽  
Virtual Collaboration ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Apparel Companies

Modern organizations face more and more challenges in today's globalizing markets. Many textile firms operate collaboratively as a globally-networked virtual team to sustain their competitiveness. How to select and utilize a diversity of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate collaboration among these textile virtual teams is a critical issue to these enterprises. This paper explores the criteria of ICT adoption in collaboration processes from both theoretical and practical perspectives. First, ICTs theories of telecommunications are reviewed to conclude background knowledge and examine contextual requirements for ICTs. We find that the conveyance of social cues, the ability of fostering member involvement and coordinating interruptions, and the user-friendly interface of communication technology are crucial to the remote collaboration among textile firms. Second, empirical in-depth interviews with 20 practitioners in textile and apparel companies are conducted. Then, combining the findings, we discuss the features of primary ICTs adopted in practice at present. We recommend six essential facets in ICTs adoption during textile virtual team communication (i.e. synchronicity, medium richness, connectedness, disruptiveness, ease of use, and cost). We also suggest how these ICTs can be deployed in line with organizational and individual factors to facilitate textile virtual collaboration.

Promoting Critical Thinking in Virtual Teams

2014 ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena Heizmann
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Behaviors ◽  
Dialogic Learning ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Effective Decision ◽  
Effective Decision Making

Effective decision-making in a virtual environment is becoming increasingly important as more and more organizations introduce virtual teams into their global businesses. Critical thinking is a reflective practice that has been suggested to enhance the quality of group decision-making in organizations (Natale & Ricci, 2006). However, little is known about the value of critical thinking in a virtual team environment and the ways in which it can be promoted. This chapter provides a conceptual model of informed decision-making based on critical thinking. It further outlines how critical thinking can be promoted in virtual teams through an active shift towards a dialogic learning culture, constituted by collaborative communication behaviors, authentic leadership, and the use of social Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Domestic vs. International E-Shopping

2019 ◽  
pp. 24-39
Author(s):  
Vaggelis Saprikis
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Mobile Industry ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Shed Light

Contemporary commerce is completely different as regards features some years ago. Nowadays, a considerable number of individuals and firms take advantage of the information and communication technologies and conduct transactions online. In particular, the mobile industry along with the broad use of social networks and improvements in the internet bandwidth worldwide has created a completely different business environment. Consequently, the technology incited many consumers to cross-border e-shopping, allowing access to a wider variety of products and services, and in numerous circumstances, access to cheaper goods. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the perceptions internet users have towards e-shops focusing on Greece. More precisely, it aims to find out whether there are contingent differences on customers' perceptions regarding domestic vs. international e-shops, since a gradually augmented number of people have been expressing their preference on non-domestic e-stores for their purchases. Additionally, the chapter intends to shed light on the difficulty in understanding vital aspects of e-consumer behaviour.

Domestic vs. International E-Shopping

2021 ◽  
pp. 1819-1834
Author(s):  
Vaggelis Saprikis
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Internet Users ◽  
Mobile Industry ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Number Of Individuals ◽  
Shed Light

Contemporary commerce is completely different as regards features some years ago. Nowadays, a considerable number of individuals and firms take advantage of the information and communication technologies and conduct transactions online. In particular, the mobile industry along with the broad use of social networks and improvements in the internet bandwidth worldwide has created a completely different business environment. Consequently, the technology incited many consumers to cross-border e-shopping, allowing access to a wider variety of products and services, and in numerous circumstances, access to cheaper goods. The purpose of this chapter is to investigate the perceptions internet users have towards e-shops focusing on Greece. More precisely, it aims to find out whether there are contingent differences on customers' perceptions regarding domestic vs. international e-shops, since a gradually augmented number of people have been expressing their preference on non-domestic e-stores for their purchases. Additionally, the chapter intends to shed light on the difficulty in understanding vital aspects of e-consumer behaviour.

scholarly journals Guidance for SMEs with the adoption of technology: A conceptual framework

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Riana Steyn ◽  
Awie Leonard
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Framework ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Information Communications Technology ◽  
Ict Implementation ◽  
Information And Communication

<p>When starting up a new small or medium sized company, it is crucial to understand what the requirements are in terms of Information and communication technologies (ICT). Bentellis and Boufaïsa (2008) note that over the last twenty years the markets have been changing fast, which has led to the evolution of the business environment. In many instances companies cannot keep up with the change occurring in the ICT arena. Entering the market as a small competitor, you need to ensure that you implement ICT that will support your business strategies. This paper presents the findings of a qualitative research study done to determine how SMEs cope with the adoption of technology. The paper explores the typical problems and challenges faced by SMEs, within South Africa, with regard to ICT and propose a conceptual framework to support managers in their decision making on ICT implementation. As such, this framework supports them in choosing the relevant technology, as well as supporting them with the effective application of the chosen technologies.</p><p><strong>KEY WORDS:</strong> Adoption, Information communications Technology (ICT), skills, small to medium organisations (SME), Technology</p>

“ICT Is for Boys”

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Erica Norstedt ◽  
Annika Andersson ◽  
Evylyn Pettersson ◽  
Simon Klintestrand
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Equal Opportunities ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Research And Practice ◽  
Ict Use ◽  
Information And Communication

There is worldwide consensus on how important women are for development where gender equality is seen as a prerequisite for sustainable development. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are seen as one of the most promising tools for the empowerment of women in developing countries. Men and women therefore need to have equal opportunities to access and use ICTs. Here, the authors, however, find a huge gender gap, and the reasons for this gap are still not fully understood or investigated. The purpose of this study is therefore to further investigate the reasons for this gap in ICT use. Based on a review of existing literature, as well as interviews with men and women from developing countries, the main finding is that the impeding factor underlying all barriers described in the literature relates to social norms. Based on this insight, the authors end the paper by discussing implications for research and practice.

Collaboration Among Multicultural Virtual Teams

2011 ◽  
pp. 306-313
Author(s):  
Kursat Cagiltay ◽  
Barbara A. Bichelmeyer ◽  
Michael A. Evans ◽  
Trena M. Paulus ◽  
Jae Soon An
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Virtual Teams ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Problem Solve ◽  
Virtual Setting ◽  
E Mail

Due to the increasingly widespread use of various information and communication technologies (ICT), individuals from different countries and cultures are able to learn and work collaboratively in virtual environments (Mowshowitz, 1997). Electronic communication tools, such as chat, e-mail, and the World Wide Web, now make it possible for students and employees to communicate and problem solve with colleagues irrespective of geographical location (Scott, 2000). One of the major downsides of this form of collaboration, though, is that members of a virtual team do not have the advantage of face-to-face interaction and communication. Instead they must rely solely upon an assortment of computer-supported cooperative-learning and class-work tools and strategies—some planned, some ad hoc—to coordinate resources (Bichelmeyer, Cagiltay, Evans, Paulus, & An, 2004). Unfortunately, little research has been conducted to systematically investigate the dialectic between culture and computermediated communication (CMC). There is currently an insufficient understanding of how individual learning and work, cultural features, and CMC mutually influence one another in a purposeful, virtual setting.

scholarly journals Reflection on consumers in e-Commerce

2020 ◽  
pp. 23-31
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos González-Castolo ◽  
Silvia Ramos-Cabral ◽  
Omar Alí Zatarain-Durán
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Commerce ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Specific Area ◽  
Communication Technologies ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Web Portal ◽  
Consumer Service ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
The Web ◽  
The Ideal

This paper presents a reflection on the ideal requirements that a provider should offer to the consumer. Traditionally, studies are made to improve products and/or services, but the consumer's point of view is disesteemed. This work approaches the commerce scenario from an approach where the consumer is the protagonist. The context of analysis is electronic commerce (e-commerce), however, the approaches can be extended to traditional commerce. It should be noted that commerce can be classified as traditional or electronic. In the specific area of ecommerce, it is known that the relevant defining characteristic is the use of information and communication technologies (ICT). Due to the above, the consumer has some particularities that are considered to present the approach. It is about identifying the elements for ecommerce improvement. Improving the sale-purchase cycle that includes improving marketing, improving consumer service, improving the product and/or service offered, and the improvement of the WEB portal.

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