A conceptual model to improve performance in virtual teams | Dube | SA Journal of Information Management

Background: The vast improvement in
communication technologies and sophisticated project management tools,
methods and techniques has allowed geographically and culturally diverse
groups to operate and function in a virtual environment. To succeed in
this virtual environment where time and space are becoming increasingly
irrelevant, organisations must define new ways of implementing
initiatives. This virtual environment phenomenon has brought about the
formation of virtual project teams that allow organisations to harness
the skills and knowhow of the best resources, irrespective of their
location.

Objectives: The aim of this article was
to investigate performance criteria and develop a conceptual model
which can be applied to enhance the success of virtual project teams.
There are no clear guidelines of the performance criteria in managing
virtual project teams.

Method: A qualitative
research methodology was used in this article. The purpose of content
analysis was to explore the literature to understand the concept of
performance in virtual project teams and to summarise the findings of
the literature reviewed.

Results: The research
identified a set of performance criteria for the virtual project teams
as follows: leadership, trust, communication, team cooperation,
reliability, motivation, comfort and social interaction. These were used
to conceptualise the model.

Conclusion: The
conceptual model can be used in a holistic way to determine the overall
performance of the virtual project team, but each factor can be analysed
individually to determine the impact on the overall performance. The
knowledge of performance criteria for virtual project teams could aid
project managers in enhancing the success of these teams and taking a
different approach to better manage and coordinate them.