Challenges to Managing Virtual Teams in Georgian SMEs

Anna Ābeltiņa,Ketevan Rizhamadze,A Moumen,H Slimani,N Mejjad

doi:10.1051/shsconf/202111903003

Anna Ābeltiņa, Ketevan Rizhamadze + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/202111903003

Copy DOI

Abstract

The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought about an unprecedented economic and social crisis. The work methods have seen a significant change, and telework has experienced swift growth. The practical application of teleworking needs technology, social and organizational support. Employees who are less tech-savvy require digital training. There is limited data on this topic. Therefore, this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the issue related to managing virtual teams. An objective of this study is to examine how virtual teams are developed and to identify the challenges to managing virtual reams in selected Georgian SMEs. This study seeks to obtain data that will help to analyze and review issues that arise in the process of managing diverse and geographically dispersed virtual teams. This research is constructed on a brief literature review, survey and focus group discussions among the representatives of SMEs operating in the financial and IT sector in Georgia. According to study findings, companies that pursue successful eleadership consider teleworking as an opportunity. The most interesting finding is that timely availability of necessary information, effective communication and well-defined tasks influence the collaboration between virtual team members and is pivotal whilst managing a virtual team.

Highlights

The leading characteristic of modern society tends to be the presence of organizations
The purpose of the research was to identify the challenges to managing virtual teams in Georgian SMEs in the financial and IT sector
As mentioned in the literature review, among the factors which influence on collaboration between virtual team members, adequate communication and timely availability of necessary information are highlighted by 50, 30 participants, respectively, as demonstrated in Table 4: Table 4

Summary

Introduction

The leading characteristic of modern society tends to be the presence of organizations. The existence of organizations goes back to older civilizations. Many organizations are performing every task virtually to ensure the effective functioning of society [1]. Increasing innovation and speediness to market and being updated with local market conditions and requirements make it crucial to utilize virtual teams. Companies embark on a virtual team tactic to their work for the following reasons: mergers and acquisitions, looking for resources in other markets, the potential for growth worldwide and attracting talent from abroad. Virtual teams can be faster, more innovative and flexible, they require coordinated management, organization and support. The internalization of economic and industrial settings, the globalized business environment has caused human re-localization

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion