ICOA Seminar: Implicit theories on virtual collaboration (working paper)

Despite the potential benefits of globally distributed teams, rendering effective results often proves difficult in virtual teams compared to collocated teams.We explore how distributed team members perceive virtual collaboration and we frame this perceptions as implicit theories in virtual teamwork. Based on interviews with team members from three global companies, from both headquarters and subsidiaries, we identify three different categories of implicit theories on virtual collaboration: (1) Building relationships on a distance; (2) Wasting time on virtual collaboration; (3) Caring for people at other sites. In addition, we show how these implicit theories affect virtual collaboration. 

Rikke Lindekilde is an industrial PhD with the Department of Business Administration and with Grundfos, and also a consultant at the Center for Leadership. Rikke was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of San Francisco, while also attending the Research Group meetings at the Center for Work, Technology, and Organization. 

Ioana Cristina Cristea is a PhD student at ICOA, also affiliated with the Department of Business Administration. Ioana was a Scancor Visiting Scholar at Stanford University where she was also part of the Center for Work, Technology, and Organization, under the supervision of Pam Hinds.

If you wish to receive news about the ICOA seminars, please contact Marianne Sejthen (ms@asb.dk).