Globalization, flexibilization, decentralization and networking are all buzzwords that change our workplaces into work 4.0. Deloitte's recent Global Human Capital Trends Surveys from 2016 and 2018 describe the trends of self-organized networks and hyper-connected workplaces, as well as digital HR and recommends that organizations have to redesign their work environment with HR as creator to facilitate collaboration across company boundaries.
Global virtual teams (hereafter: GVTs) are one way, to respond to those trends and stay competitive. Several surveys indicate, how ubiquitous global virtual teamwork is. A survey from 2016 included 1,372 respondents from 80 countries. 85% of those indicated that they already worked in GVTs. To be successful, these teams depend on diverse factors, as can be seen in figure 1 (not included in this text).
One of the main difference between GVTs and co-located teams is the interaction through information and communication technologies (hereafter: ICTs). The most important success factor, yet bigg est challenge for those teams is to develop mutual trust. This paper will connect both success factors to find out, how trust can be built through the appropriate usage of cutting-edge ICTs. How to build trust is one of the most researched topics in the GVT literature. In addition, scholars already included trust-formation through communication in their research. However, they have not broadened their research to emerging ICTs, like Web 2.0 or virtual rooms yet. Scholars annotate critically that even though those technologies are already used in practice, “research appears not to be keeping up with practice.”
Regarding 3D virtual environments like virtual rooms, only five articles were found by Gilson et al. and the content was rather generic. Additionally, social networks, which are broadly used in practice, have yet not been focused within the scientific literature. The scholars recommend to addressing these topics in future research. Therefore, this paper starts to fill this scientific gap by developing assumptions regarding the formation of trust through new ICTs within GVTs, based on theoretical background. The results can be used for further research that verifies these assumptions practically through experiments.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction and relevance of the topic
- Research questions and structure of the paper
- Research method and topics demarcation
- Strategic importance of global virtual teams
- Definition of global virtual teams
- The strategic importance of global virtual teams based on mega trends
- Trust as the main challenge in global virtual teams
- Models of trust
- Why gaining trust is difficult in global virtual teams
- Building trust in global virtual teams through modern communication and information technologies
- Communication behaviors that build trust in global virtual teams
- Information and communication technologies that build trust in global virtual teams
- Implications for Human Resources to enhance trust in global virtual teams
- Conclusion and recommendations for further research
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper investigates how the usage of modern Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can enhance trust in Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) and provides practical implications for Human Resources (HR). It examines the impact of these technologies on building trust in a global virtual team context and explores the role of HR in facilitating and enhancing this process.
- Strategic importance of Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) in responding to megatrends
- Challenges in building trust within GVTs
- The role of modern ICTs in fostering trust within GVTs
- Communication behaviors that build trust in GVTs
- Implications for HR to enhance trust in GVTs
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first chapter introduces the topic of trust in Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) and its relevance in today's globalized and technology-driven workplace. It outlines the research questions and structure of the paper, setting the stage for the subsequent chapters.
The second chapter delves into the strategic importance of GVTs in the context of current megatrends such as globalization, flexibilization, and decentralization. It provides a definition of GVTs and explores the reasons why organizations are increasingly relying on these teams to remain competitive.
The third chapter focuses on the central challenge of building trust within GVTs. It introduces different models of trust and examines the specific difficulties that arise in establishing trust in a virtual, geographically dispersed team setting.
The fourth chapter analyzes how modern ICTs can be used to facilitate trust-building in GVTs. It explores specific communication behaviors that enhance trust and investigates the potential of cutting-edge ICTs such as Web 2.0 and virtual rooms in promoting trust within these teams.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on the themes of trust, Global Virtual Teams (GVTs), Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), communication behavior, strategic importance, megatrends, and Human Resources (HR). The paper explores the role of modern ICTs in enhancing trust within GVTs and provides practical implications for HR professionals to facilitate this process.
- Quote paper
- Anna Faßhold (Author), 2018, Global Virtual Teams. How the Usage of New Information and Communication Technologies can Enhance Trust in Global Virtual Teams, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/446773