Identifying the Key Factors in the Effectiveness and Failure of Virtual Teams

Virtual teams, “individuals collaborating in geographically dispersed work teams who may reside in different time zones and countries” (Horwitz, Bravington, & Silvis, 2006, p. 472), are continuing to increase in frequency in today’s global economy. These teams have become a vital option for organizations that need to work in multiple locales at once and draw on vast global expertise. In fact, virtual teams and e-collaboration is considered an alternative to previously traditional formats, because of the cost savings and lack of space limitations associated with operating via virtual means (Kock & Nosek, 2005).