Communication and Virtual Teams

Communication and virtual teams

There is an increasing number of people who are working remotely today. In the past we have traditionally used phones and web conferences as a means to stay connected, unfortunately remote communication technology can at times be a distraction and can lead to bigger problems if disagreements occur. Over the next year we will be implementing a VOIP system that will bring with it a standardized platform for holding virtual meetings that incorporate not just voice, but video and desktop or device application sharing for improved collaboration. This new technology will make it easier for us to meet, but with it will come those who will want to adopt it, and those who resist using it.

When new technology is introduced to organization, information technology departments are faced with a challenge of nature vs nurture when it comes to encouraging the adoption and proper use of technology. A recent study on the matter of nature vs nurture for virtual teams identified that a key element in determining the success of virtual team’s use of instant messenger and discussion forums is the adoption of “genre rules” that promote effective habitual responses within the medium (Bartelt & Dennis, 2014, p. 522) . Prior research on the topic concluded that it was the nature of the technology that dictated or influenced the specific ways technology was used to communicate (Bartelt & Dennis, 2014, pp. 522-523). The study attempted to determine if nurturing could also affect the behavior and genre rules that develop as part of the adoption of different remote communication technology. The conclusion of the research is that both the nature of the communication tool and nurturing through development of specific genre rules influence how specific social structures utilize technology for communication, not just the nature of the communication tools (Bartelt & Dennis, 2014, pp. 534-535).

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