Business need
required a holistic and focussed framework for best practices in the
functioning of effective virtual teams, despite the fragmented nature of
empirical studies in this field. This study endeavoured to explore the
best practices in the functioning of effective virtual teams against
four prominent and unique themes linked to purpose, processes, people
and technology. The value of this study does not vest in the existence
of virtual teams, but in their orderly operation, in terms of best
practice and the value proposition of effectiveness.

Following an exploratory qualitative strategy, the research was
conducted according to the interpretivist branch of the phenomenological
tradition, with a transcendental orientation in the social research
field.

A qualitative multi-case research design for the empirical study was
selected, resulting in a non-probability sample within the software
sector of the technology industry in South Africa.

An original and pre-tested Lime Survey 2.0+ electronic questionnaire
instrument was utilised as the instrument to collect information within a
cross-sectional time horizon, to work in synchronisation with the
collaborative asynchronous electronic architecture of virtual teams.
Content analysis was applied to analyse data.

The main findings indicated that effective virtual teams purposefully
orientate themselves toward excellence through electronic management
systems, a specific value system, with a knowledge seeking focus, and a
seamless linkage in electronic infrastructure, applications, and
platforms which contribute to the functionality of the effective virtual
team.

The main recommendations were that a pre-existing, functional,
collaborative, integrated, electronic management system is regarded as
the primary step in founding an effective virtual team. The focus of
organisational leadership should be to embrace a holistic value system
approach encapsulating specific elements of excellence, such as trust
and independence. Human networking practices pursuing and sustaining
knowledge are regarded as the key enabler for functioning of effective
virtual teams. Lastly, a focussed seamless interface between the various
electronic applications, platforms and infrastructures is recommended.