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According to Landy and Conte (2013) teams can provide a number of benefits to organizations including saving time, increasing innovation, integrating information, more effectively develop new products or services, and learn more effectively (p. 518). Quality circles, project teams, production teams and most recently virtual teams are all different types of teams used in organization to accomplish joint goals. Virtual teams have become more common in recent years as the COVID pandemic forced many organizations to rethink how they conduct business. At the same time, technology has enabled a number of different communication options. Virtual teams also provide organizations with a number of advantages including saving time and travel expenses, providing access to experts, expanding labor markets beyond physical location, and having the ability for a person to be on multiple teams (Landy & Conte, 2013, p. 523).
One major trend in virtual team development involves developing virtual-socialization skills. Team members who work virtually do not have the ability to connect in the same way as face-to-face employees so greater effort must be taken to ensure they can develop in a cohesive way. Joy-Matthews and Gladstone (2000) argue that virtual teams experience three stages including formation, socialization, and adjournment. While electronic communication makes technical conversations easier, this type of communication is impersonal and can leave individuals feeling isolated (Joy-Matthews & Gladstone, 2000). While this article is a bit older, it does highlight the connection between virtual teams in the early days of development and in current times. The authors call for a need to train members on how to develop non-technical communication skills and suggest that cohesiveness can develop by allowing team members to have a part in the formation stage. Many organizations may not have this luxury, but these are important elements for leaders to consider as they form and develop their team members.
Are virtual teams the future of organizations? Or will we head back to the office as some businesses are requiring?
References
Joy-Matthews, J., & Gladstone, B. (2000). Extending the group: A strategy for virtual team formation. Industrial and Commercial Training, 32(1), 24-29. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/214110246?accountid=27965
Landy, F. J., & Conte, J. M. (2013). Work in the 21st century: An introduction to industrial and organizational psychology (4th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.
