Abstract

ARGANA, Mercedes. Virtual Teams Training Needs: An Exploratory Study. Eureka [online]. 2012, vol.9, n.2, pp. 260-275. ISSN 2220-9026.

As the availability of sophisticated communication technologies continues to grow, distributed teams will become even more pervasive in organizations. In this context, organizations and consequently work teams have incorporated the use of information technology and communication as support and means of their operations. Therefore, virtual work has progressively been increasing, with the requirement of specific demands for competence at individual or teamwork levels. This exploratory study focuses on the necessity of training derived from the problems or challenges virtual team members encounter in technology-mediated working environments in a context of geographical dispersion. It goes on to propose a guide of general character for training programs to strengthen or minimize the same. Data was then collected from 72 individuals who comprised a total of 15 virtual teams from thirteen companies. The results indicate that a number of group process-related issues were the participants’ primary concerns. Regarding these results and the conclusions of previous research, a basic training guide is proposed.

Keywords : virtual team; working virtually; team performance; team training.

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