Erfolgsfaktoren von virtuellen Teams — Ergebnisse einer aktuellen Studie

Abstract

Virtual teams have become fundamental elements in many firms. However, little is known about the critical success factors of virtual teamwork. This study analyzes data from 47 virtual teams stemming from international corporations. The results show that team input factors such as top management support, clear mission, and proactivity of team members have a positive influence on team success. By contrast, teams are characterized with below average performance if their members have other tasks to do besides their virtual teamwork and speak different languages. Among the team process factors, effective communication shows the strongest positive impact on virtual team success. Furthermore, the analyses indicate that strong emphasis on control has a negative effect on economic success, but a positive effect on the learning of team members. Finally, professional planning is found to increase the success chances of virtual teams.