Our research purpose is twofold and comprises theoretical and empirical purposes. The purpose of our research results in the following research question: How do employees experience virtual inter-team collaboration within a large, multi-team project?

Many scholars have investigated team collaboration, either without specifically differentiating intra- and inter-team collaboration or focusing only on intra-team collaboration. Intra-team collaboration means collaboration taking place within the context of one team, whereas inter-team collaboration describes the interaction process between several teams. Thus, in the field of organizational research, we need to advance our knowledge on inter-team collaboration, as it is a way of working that becomes more and more popular and widespread. Our practical aim is to understand collaboration in such emerging business contexts. With more resources available, including technological tools, for individual actors and teams, new ways of collaboration become apparent. We want to contribute to a better understanding of collaboration in the modern sense by investigating how inter-team collaboration is experienced by employees working in the same organization. We especially want to highlight that although the individuals under study are separated into different teams, they still belong to the same organization and work towards a common goal. We believe that being assigned to different teams while still being part of the same organization is especially interesting to investigate.

We do this by studying the collaboration between different teams in a large, financial services company called Beneal Bank (the company name has been changed). The studied organization resembles one of the previously illustrated new organizational designs. More than 80 interdependent teams, including geographically dispersed team members, work on an intra-organizational project to develop a new core-banking system. Thus, our study site has certain characteristics that justify it as a site in which new organizational designs are applied and in which new ways of collaboration are required. Firstly, the organization employs an Agile Methodology, implying that close and continuous collaboration is needed between different, interdependent teams.

Excerpt

Abstract
Acknowledgements
Introduction
- Background of Study
- Research Purpose and Research Question
- Thesis Outline
Literature Review
- Collaboration in Organizations
- On Virtual Teamwork
- On Virtual Inter-Team Collaboration
  - Shared Meaning
  - Trust
  - Boundary Objects and Team Boundary Spanning
- Summary of Literature and Research Gap
Methodology
- Research Context
- Research Philosophy
- Data Collection
  - Semi-Structured Interviews
  - Observations
- Limitations and Creation of Quality
- Data Analysis
Presentation of Empirical Data
- Collaboration as Everything (and Nothing)
  - Glorification of Collaboration
  - Importance of Big Picture
  - Communication as Key
- Inter-Team Collaboration Experienced as Burden
  - Inter-Team Collaboration as a Challenge
  - Inter-Team Collaboration Increases Work Pressure
  - Inter-Team Collaboration Through Representatives
- Inter-Team Collaboration as 'Us versus Them'
  - Importance of Trust
  - Different Priorities
- Summary of Findings
Discussion
- Collaboration as an Empty Word
  - Discourse Detached from Practice
  - Working Together Is Not Necessarily Collaboration
- Inter-Team Collaboration as Competition
  - Collaboration Infrastructure as an Enabler of Inter-Team Competition
  - Boundary Objects as Enablers for Coopetition
- Creation of Subgroups in Inter-team Collaboration
  - Competing In- and Out-Groups
  - 'Collaboration Spanners' Across Subgroups

Objectives and Key Themes

This thesis aims to gain a deeper understanding of inter-team collaboration within large, multi-team projects, specifically focusing on how individual team members experience this collaboration. It employs a qualitative, abductive approach with an interpretative perspective to analyze the complexities of virtual inter-team collaboration.

The perception and experience of inter-team collaboration among team members.
The role of virtual infrastructure in enabling and hindering inter-team collaboration.
The emergence of competition and coopetition within collaborative settings.
The impact of boundary objects and boundary spanning on inter-team collaboration.
The formation of in-groups and out-groups and their influence on collaborative dynamics.

Chapter Summaries

Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the research by providing background information on the study's focus on inter-team collaboration in large, multi-team projects. It clearly defines the research purpose and the central research question guiding the investigation. The chapter also outlines the structure of the thesis, providing a roadmap for the reader to follow throughout the study.

Literature Review: This chapter reviews existing literature on collaboration in organizations, virtual teamwork, and, specifically, virtual inter-team collaboration. It explores key concepts like shared meaning, trust, boundary objects, and boundary spanning, highlighting their relevance to the research question. The review culminates in identifying a research gap that the current study seeks to address, setting the foundation for the empirical investigation.

Methodology: This chapter details the research design and methodology employed in the study. It describes the qualitative research approach, including the chosen research context (a large multi-team project), the data collection methods (semi-structured interviews and observations), and the data analysis techniques. The chapter also discusses the limitations of the study and the measures taken to ensure research quality, providing transparency and rigor to the research process.

Presentation of Empirical Data: This chapter presents the findings from the empirical data collected through interviews and observations. It explores three key aspects of inter-team collaboration: its perception as encompassing everything and nothing, its experience as a burden, and its manifestation as an "us versus them" dynamic. The chapter unravels the complexities of these experiences, illustrating them with detailed examples and observations from the research setting. It demonstrates how collaboration is often an idealized concept, detached from the reality of competing priorities and increased workloads experienced by team members.

Discussion: This chapter synthesizes the empirical findings and discusses their implications for understanding virtual inter-team collaboration. It further develops the concept of "collaboration as an empty word," explaining the disconnect between the ideal of collaboration and its practical challenges. The chapter analyzes the competitive aspects of inter-team collaboration and how these dynamics interact with boundary objects and the formation of in-groups and out-groups, leading to the emergence of coopetitive structures. The roles and implications of "collaboration spanners" are deeply explored.

Keywords

Inter-team collaboration, virtual teamwork, competition, coopetition, boundary spanning, multi-team project, perception, in-groups, out-groups, qualitative research, case study.

Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview

What is the main topic of this thesis?

This thesis investigates inter-team collaboration within large, multi-team projects, focusing on how individual team members perceive and experience this collaboration, particularly in virtual settings. It explores the complexities of this collaboration, examining both its idealized perception and its practical challenges.

What is the research methodology employed in this study?

The study uses a qualitative, abductive approach with an interpretive perspective. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and observations within a real-world multi-team project. The analysis focuses on interpreting the experiences and perceptions of team members.

What are the key themes explored in the thesis?

Key themes include the perception and experience of inter-team collaboration; the role of virtual infrastructure in enabling/hindering collaboration; the emergence of competition and coopetition; the impact of boundary objects and boundary spanning; and the formation of in-groups and out-groups.

What are the main findings of the study regarding the perception of inter-team collaboration?

The study reveals a discrepancy between the idealized notion of collaboration and its practical experience. Team members experienced inter-team collaboration as both all-encompassing and insignificant, a burden increasing work pressure, and an "us vs. them" dynamic marked by competing priorities and a lack of trust.

How does the thesis address the concept of "collaboration as an empty word"?

The thesis analyzes the disconnect between the idealized discourse of collaboration and its practical application. It argues that simply working together doesn't equate to genuine collaboration, especially in the face of competing priorities and power dynamics.

What is the role of competition and coopetition in inter-team collaboration?

The study highlights how collaborative infrastructure can inadvertently foster competition between teams. Boundary objects, intended to facilitate collaboration, can also enable coopetition – a mixture of cooperation and competition – between teams. The formation of in-groups and out-groups further contributes to these dynamics.

What is the significance of boundary objects and boundary spanning in this research?

The study investigates how boundary objects (tools or artifacts used by multiple teams) and boundary spanning (activities that bridge team boundaries) impact inter-team collaboration. It explores how these elements can both support and hinder collaboration depending on the context and team dynamics.

What are the limitations of the study?

While the methodology section details specific limitations related to data collection and analysis, it’s important to note that the findings are based on a specific case study, limiting the generalizability of the results to other contexts and organizations.

What are the key takeaways from the thesis?

The thesis provides valuable insights into the complexities of inter-team collaboration, particularly in virtual settings. It highlights the importance of considering the practical challenges and potential for conflict alongside the idealized notion of collaboration. It underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of how organizational structures and communication practices can impact the success of inter-team efforts.

What are the keywords associated with this research?