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Spontaneous virtual teams: Improving organizational performance through information and communication technology

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  • Tong, Yu
  • Yang, Xue
  • Teo, Hock Hai

Abstract

This article aims to scrutinize an emerging and prominent type of work team in organizations: the spontaneous virtual team (SVT). Despite the promising benefits an SVT can provide, it is confronted with great challenges throughout its lifecycle. In this article, we first highlight the unique structure and characteristics of SVTs as compared to other conventional types of work teams. Furthermore, we decompose the lifecycle of an SVT into three stages. We then use interview data among SVT managers and participants across several industries to analyze the challenges, corresponding solutions, and the role of information and communication technologies in each of the three stages. Understanding the emerging SVTs will be of salient value to professionals and corporate executives who are interested in finding effective technology-enabled means and work patterns to improve organizational work performance. The current work can also serve as a basis for future academic research on exploring the SVT phenomenon.

Suggested Citation

  • Tong, Yu & Yang, Xue & Teo, Hock Hai, 2013. "Spontaneous virtual teams: Improving organizational performance through information and communication technology," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 56(3), pages 361-375.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:56:y:2013:i:3:p:361-375
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2013.01.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jungpil Hahn & Jae Yun Moon & Chen Zhang, 2008. "Emergence of New Project Teams from Open Source Software Developer Networks: Impact of Prior Collaboration Ties," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 19(3), pages 369-391, September.
    2. J. Stuart Bunderson & Peter Boumgarden, 2010. "Structure and Learning in Self-Managed Teams: Why “Bureaucratic” Teams Can Be Better Learners," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 21(3), pages 609-624, June.
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