Organizational Behavior Building an Effective Term Paper

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(1994) relates that a bond "establishes a linkage between a pair of actors" and it is this bond that is the key building block of a Virtual Team. According to Katz and Lazer (nd) inclusive within the scope of this bond are other characteristics such as respect, friendship, collaboration, affect, change and spatial propinquity." (Katz and Lazer, nd) it is additionally related by Katz and Lazer that the network needs of a team "are shaped by a variety of moderating variables." (Katz and Lazer, nd) the following chart illustrates both the 'functional' and the 'network' need.

Functional and Network Need of the Team

Source: Katz and Lazer (nd)

In the work entitled: "Building Blocks for Teams" published by Penn State it is stated that there are "...several configurations for a virtual team, but probably the most important characteristic is that the members cannot always meet face-to-face for one reason or another." (Penn State, nd) This leaves teams members relying on "information technology, such as e-mail, chat systems, instant messaging or even the phone or fax to communicate." (Penn State, nd) the following steps are suggested in the beginning of building the virtual team:

Make sure that the first meeting is face-to-face or via audio so that the team members have the change to meet and connect a face with the name of the individual;

Require the team to share their daily schedules with one another so that team members know when to expect a reply from one another;

Require the team to create a contact directory;

Encourage the members of the team to share brief bios with on another.

It is important the ground rules be set out for email communication between team members. The following are suggested as ground rules for email by Penn State:

Establish a maximum time limit for a reply to a message

Determine which medium will be the primary one used for communication by the team;

Make sure that a common file space exists for the team members;

Establish naming conventions and locations for posting material to review;

In the case revisions are needed a coding system to indicate revisions should be created;

Team members should be encouraged to disagree privately and not involve the entire group.

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In the case of a serious disagreement, a phone call or face-to-face meeting is preferable.(Penn State, nd; paraphrased)

SUMMARY and CONCLUSION

Building a Virtual Team has many challenges as many times the team members are unable to meet face-to-face and as well, communication without the ability to view the expressions of fellow team members often leads to communication difficulty. However, the manager who is aware of the limitations placed upon the working relationships of team members who do not actually know one another personally is able to avoid many conflicts through proactively bringing the team members together on a regular basis for discussion via email, chatrooms or other means of communication. Coordination of team member's communications when the team members are in various time zones is also another issue that the manager must take into consideration. This is proactively dealt with through establishing rules for response to emails and communications whether it is 24 hours or a longer period of time. Cultural issues have also been identified as barriers to effective team-building however, this too can be overcome with proper planning and proper initiation of the team in the beginning to their fellow team members cultural roots. Conflict is a given therefore, there cannot be a total avoidance of conflict but instead there should be ground rules established for dealing with conflict among the members of the team......

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