Interpretive structural model of trust factors in construction virtual project teams

Purpose Organisational dependence on virtual project teams (VPTs) is growing dramatically due to the substantial benefits they offer, such as efficiently achieving objectives and improving organisational performance. One of the major issues that influence the effectiveness of VPTs is trust building. This study aims to determine the key factors of trust in VPTs and design a model by identifying the interrelationships among the trust factors. Design/methodology/approach Focus group discussion was used to gather data on factors affecting trust in VPTs and their interrelationships. Interpretive structural modelling (ISM) was used to establish the relationship among the factors. Cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification analysis was conducted to identify the driving power and the dependence power towards effective VPTs in the construction sector. Findings The finding revealed that “characteristics of team members” (such as ability, integrity, benevolence, competence, reliability and professionalism) is the most significant factor for building trust in virtual team members. Some factors were further identified as having high driving power, while others were defined as having high dependence variables. Practical implications The findings will assist construction managers and practitioners dealing with VPTs identify the factors influencing trust among team members. Taking cognisance of the factors that influence trust will enable them to design more effective virtual team arrangements. Originality/value As the first research of its kind using ISM technique, the study offers insights into interrelationships between trust factors in the construction VPTs. It provides guides for construction managers on the effective management of trustworthy VPTs.

Methodological Basis of Virtual Reality Technology Application in Industrial Design

The paper is devoted to the development of methodological foundations for the application of virtual reality technologies (VR-technologies) at various stages of car design and their promotion on the market, in particular, when performing design, prototyping, development of educational and advertising products. The paper analyzes the main areas of application of virtual reality technologies in industrial design in mechanical engineering. An overview of the parameters of the specialized software Unreal Engine 4 and the HTC Vive hardware set used to create and demonstrate virtual projects is performed. System requirements for computer software and hardware for creating virtual projects have been formed. A generalization of our own experience of using virtual reality technologies in the design of an electric vehicle with a frame-panel structure is carried out. The technique of using virtual reality tools in order to create virtual projects for demonstration of design solutions and functionality of mechanical engineering products is described. The issues of choosing software and hardware, their characteristics are considered, as well as a description of the stages of creating a virtual project is given. The process of developing a virtual project is divided into the stages of preparing and transforming a three-dimensional computer model of the demonstrated product into its virtual digital prototype, creating a virtual environment for it, assigning materials and textures with the necessary properties to the environment and the object, setting lighting, navigation parameters and animated actions, optimizing the display of shadows and finalizing the project. The main results of approbation of the developed methodology are presented on the example of creating virtual projects for demonstrating an electric vehicle: in an urban virtual environment and in a virtual pavilion.

Performance Review: Coronavirus Time Capsule Project

The Coronavirus Time Capsule features the voices and experiences of over 3,000 teenagers from all over the world. Through weekly themes young people from youth theaters and youth organisations film themselves and their lives, documenting the trials and tribulations of life in lockdown. All material is edited and presented on Company Three’s website, alongside a Best Bits compilation video. This review considers the context in which this piece of performance art was created; during a global pandemic in which the voices of young people are rarely heard. As the title of the project suggests, its aim was to create a way, i.e., a time capsule, for teenagers to record and remind themselves about how and what they felt during the pandemic in years to come. However, this review argues the potential wider impact a virtual project of this scale can have and what we as theater-makers can learn from it.

Arising Problems in Managing Virtual Project: Research on International Virtual Project Team Leaders

Although the prevalence of project teams in international organizations is growing rapidly, while influencing the governance of organizations at the global, regional, and local levels, the response of organizations to such changes has been slower, according to authors A. I. Mockaitis, L. Zander, and H. De Cieri (2018). Organizations need to look at virtual project team development opportunities, methods, tools to learn to work in a multicultural space. The uptake of improvement opportunities for organizations would have a positive impact on many aspects like competition, efficiency, and reputation. In this context, it is important to analyse and research the uniqueness of virtual project teams and the problems arising in the management of these teams, because in the international business environment, the operation of these teams is a necessary condition for business to operate effectively. The article analyses the emerging problems in virtual project team management in international companies. A theoretical overview of possible problems in managing virtual project teams is presented, the results of the performed qualitative research are presented. During the research, managers working in international companies who lead a virtual project team were interviewed using the qualitative research method. The study was conducted in 2019-2020 and involved 9 informants working in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, the United States, Bangladesh, France, Malaysia, and Poland. The results of the study revealed the opinion of virtual project team leaders how these teams differ from traditional teams. The results revealed problems that may arise in the management of virtual project teams, such as misunderstanding and ambiguity of transmitted information, lack of emotion, presence and loss of information, higher time costs for work tasks, different, culturally influenced work principles and etiquette, and loss of personal and work balance boundaries. These problems are addressed in several ways, openly throughout the group, individually or through an external team.

A Conceptual Management Model of Virtual Project Team in International Companies

Globalisation and technological advancement have an enormous impact on how businesses operate. Technological evolution, economic challenges, and different generations working in one workforce impact businesses to seek flexibility and adopt techniques that support virtual teamwork. In the modern international business environment increasing number of teams that work in virtual environments through project execution, leads to the need for theory and research on how successfully manage virtual project teams. In this paper the analysis of the scientific literature allowed to formulate the definition of a virtual project team, the analysis was able to show the management aspects, which are related to the features of the virtual project team, review of scientific literature also let to disclose the emerging problems faced by managers. These results were used to conceptualise the virtual project team management model in international companies.

“One hundred days before the Great Victory. Belarus newspapers in 1945” – Belarus National Library's virtual project: The concept and implementation

The virtual project by Belarus National Library “One hundred days before the Great Victory. Belarus newspapers in 1945” reconstructs the daily chronicle of facts and events of winter-spring 1945 (war efforts, industry and agriculture rehabilitation in Belorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, experiences of libraries, research and educational organizations). The project is to demonstrate the information potential of the Library’s newspaper collection. The goals are described; statistical data are provided. The content and formal structure of selected news, structure of newspapers and books as a source, the project stages and implementation, the concept, production of newspapers digital copies, project promotion are discussed. The experience may be useful in other virtual projects. The full texts of the newspapers used in the project are accessible online and will be of interest to historians and everyone who would like to learn more about the heroic period and people who led to the Great Victory both in the front and behind the lines.