This thesis aims at identifying dimensions in the individual’s perception of time that are influenced by some dimensions of national cultures. Further, implications of cultural differences in these time perception dimensions for GVTs and the temporal coordination in GVTs should be identified. Additionally, the influence of ICT on the internal team processes and the team members’ surrounding environment is assessed. Therefore, the current state of the literature with regards to GVTs, its relevance and problems as well as with regards to temporal coordination is reviewed. Moreover, time perception dimensions are discovered in the actual research, combined with existing cultural dimensions and applied on GVTs.
The continuous progress in the development of modern information and communication technology (ICT) and the need for flexible responses to globalized markets trigger companies to frequently build global virtual teams (GVT). Most of the teams that are assembled in companies work at least to some extend virtually. The team members of a GVT are geographically and timely dispersed and collaborate through the use of ICT. Compared to face-to-face teams, these GVTs face several additional challenges, some of which are caused by the cultural diversity of GVTs and the associated differences in the perception of time. Although much effort was spent in the past to synchronize the clock time and calendars globally, the meaning of time is perceived differently across national cultures.
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 Challenges of diversity for global virtual teams
2.1 Relevance for today’s organizations
2.2 Diversity expressed with national cultures
2.3 Dimensions of virtual collaboration
2.4 Virtual gap and virtual edge
3 The need for temporal coordination for effective teamwork
4 Cultural diversity in the perception of time
4.1 Time perception as cultural core value
4.2 Being on time: meaning across cultures
4.3 Structure of time: monochronic and polychronic time
4.4 Time orientation: past, present and future
5 The role of technology in global virtual teams
5.1 Importance of information and communication technology selection
5.2 Integration and isolation through technology
5.3 Coordination and pace making through technology
6 Discussion
7 Summary
Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this seminar thesis is to identify dimensions of individual time perception influenced by national culture and to analyze how these differences impact temporal coordination within global virtual teams (GVTs), while examining the moderating role of information and communication technology (ICT).
- Analysis of cultural diversity as a challenge in global virtual teams.
- Examination of temporal coordination mechanisms required for effective teamwork.
- Exploration of three core dimensions of time perception: punctuality, structure of time, and time orientation.
- Assessment of the role of ICT as a tool for temporal coordination and team integration.
- Evaluation of how technological reliance impacts team performance and social dynamics.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Being on time: meaning across cultures
The first dimension of culturally caused differences in the perception of time that is assessed is the definition and application of acceptable punctuality in various cultures. Punctuality refers to timeliness as already explained in chapter three in the context of scheduling activities on behalf of given deadlines as a countermeasure towards temporal issues. For instance, perceptions of how late one may be to an appointment or meeting or of what constitutes an acceptable margin of completion time around a stated deadline will vary from culture to culture (Bluedorn 2002; Levine 2006). Analogous to time as a social construct, (Ch. 3) punctuality also is socially defined. However, the description of what is meant to be punctual or timeless varies widely across time and space. The terms “too late” or “too early” need to be understood relatively in the context given by the cultural background the team members possess (Bluedorn 2002). Appointment times and deadlines are time intervals rather than precise points in time. For every appointment and deadline there exists a time interval that is valued as on time.
Summary of Chapters
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the rise of global virtual teams (GVTs), the role of ICT, and the research gap concerning the impact of cultural differences in time perception on team coordination.
2 Challenges of diversity for global virtual teams: Discusses the necessity of GVTs in globalized markets and explores how national cultural diversity adds complexity to virtual collaboration.
3 The need for temporal coordination for effective teamwork: Examines time as a social construct and explains why structured temporal coordination mechanisms are essential for successful team outcomes.
4 Cultural diversity in the perception of time: Analyzes three cultural dimensions of time perception—punctuality, structure of time, and time orientation—and their potential to cause conflicts in GVTs.
5 The role of technology in global virtual teams: Evaluates how ICT acts as a moderator and facilitator for team processes, integration, and temporal coordination.
6 Discussion: Reflects on the findings regarding the impact of time perception on GVT performance and the dual role of ICT as both a tool for coordination and a source of social isolation.
7 Summary: Concludes the thesis by summarizing how cultural differences in time perception affect GVT dynamics and suggesting that future research focus on longitudinal studies of these phenomena.
Keywords
Global Virtual Teams, GVT, Cultural Diversity, Time Perception, Temporal Coordination, Punctuality, Monochronic Time, Polychronic Time, Time Orientation, Information and Communication Technology, ICT, Virtual Edge, Team Performance, Scheduling, Social Construct of Time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this thesis?
The thesis focuses on how cultural diversity among members of global virtual teams influences their individual perception of time and how this impacts the team's ability to coordinate work effectively.
What are the central thematic areas?
The core themes include cultural dimensions of time (punctuality, structure, orientation), the requirements for temporal coordination, and the role of modern ICT in mediating these factors.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to identify how cultural variations in time perception create conflicts in global virtual teams and to determine how these can be addressed through better coordination and technology use.
Which methodology is employed in this research?
The research relies on an analytical review of existing literature, applying the inputs-processes-outcomes (IPO) model to structure the relationship between cultural diversity, temporal coordination, and GVT outcomes.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the definition of GVTs, the theoretical underpinnings of time as a social construct, three specific dimensions of time perception, and the role of technology in integrating dispersed teams.
What are the key terms describing this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Global Virtual Teams, temporal coordination, cultural diversity, and digital pacemaking.
How does the "virtual gap" relate to "virtual edge"?
The "virtual gap" refers to the performance deficit caused by cultural and spatial dispersion, while the "virtual edge" describes the potential to outperform homogeneous teams if the team effectively leverages its diversity through good management.
In what way does ICT act as a "digital pacemaker"?
ICT acts as a digital pacemaker by standardizing and automating the workflow and schedules, which can impose a rigid, high-speed tempo that may conflict with the cultural norms of team members from polychronic backgrounds.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Tobias Wulfert (Autor:in), 2016, Cultural diversity in the perception of time. Implications for global virtual teams, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/353590
