Virtual Teams
Alexandria University
Faculty of Commerce
Executive MBA Program
Organizational Behavior
Prof. Aly Messallam
Term Paper
Virtual Teams
By
Ahmed Abuelazm
Cohort 5
23 November 2012
Contents Abstract 4 Introduction 5 Situation 8 Discussion 9 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 12
Abstract
In the current competitive market, virtual teams represent a growing response to the need for rapid solutions to complex organizational problems. Virtual teams enable organizations to pool the talents and expertise of employees and non-employees by eliminating time and space barriers. In the AEC (Architecture / Engineering / Construction) industry a number of individuals collaborate and work jointly on a construction project. The resulting group has large pool of expertise and experience and can be defined as a Virtual Team formed for the duration of the project. These individuals are electronically networked where IT and web based communication technology play an important role in coordinating various activities of the project. This paper discusses the importance of virtual teams and the application of virtual teams in AEC industry. The advantages and disadvantages of Virtual teams are illustrated by a real example from the field. The example is taken from a major real estate development firm with projects over the Middle East. The firm is operated by virtual teams that combine team members to work together from different parts of the world (United States, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Egypt). The virtual team under study was formed to work on a multi-billion project in Egypt (i.e. north coast). The paper illustrates how the virtual team is formed and how team members communicate and interact with each other. Also, some of the drawbacks associated with virtual teams are discussed briefly. Moreover, the example describes the factors that affect the team effectiveness and efficiency. At the end, the paper presents recommendations to maximize the
Faculty of Commerce
Executive MBA Program
Organizational Behavior
Prof. Aly Messallam
Term Paper
Virtual Teams
By
Ahmed Abuelazm
Cohort 5
23 November 2012
Contents Abstract 4 Introduction 5 Situation 8 Discussion 9 Conclusion 11 Bibliography 12
Abstract
In the current competitive market, virtual teams represent a growing response to the need for rapid solutions to complex organizational problems. Virtual teams enable organizations to pool the talents and expertise of employees and non-employees by eliminating time and space barriers. In the AEC (Architecture / Engineering / Construction) industry a number of individuals collaborate and work jointly on a construction project. The resulting group has large pool of expertise and experience and can be defined as a Virtual Team formed for the duration of the project. These individuals are electronically networked where IT and web based communication technology play an important role in coordinating various activities of the project. This paper discusses the importance of virtual teams and the application of virtual teams in AEC industry. The advantages and disadvantages of Virtual teams are illustrated by a real example from the field. The example is taken from a major real estate development firm with projects over the Middle East. The firm is operated by virtual teams that combine team members to work together from different parts of the world (United States, Italy, United Arab Emirates and Egypt). The virtual team under study was formed to work on a multi-billion project in Egypt (i.e. north coast). The paper illustrates how the virtual team is formed and how team members communicate and interact with each other. Also, some of the drawbacks associated with virtual teams are discussed briefly. Moreover, the example describes the factors that affect the team effectiveness and efficiency. At the end, the paper presents recommendations to maximize the
Bibliography: Chinowsky, P. S., & Rojas, E. M. (2003). Virtual Teams: Guide to Successful Implementation. JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT IN ENGINEERING . Ebrahim, N., Ahmed, S., & Taha, Z. (2009). Virtual Teams: a Literature Review. Aus tralian Journal of Bas ic and Applied Sciences . Guss, C. L. VIRTUAL TEAMS, PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROCESSES AND THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. Alberta: The U of Clagary. Peña-mora, F. (2009). TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES FOR GLOBALLY DISPERSED CONSTRUCTION Teams. Journal of Information Technology in Construction . (2010). Virtual Teams - Challenges and Opportunities. HRC Group.