Key Factors that Boost the Effectiveness of Virtual Teamwork in Online Higher Education

Abstract

A globalized nature of today’s business along with the advancement of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has made virtual teamwork a significantly important skill to the employer as well as to the future graduates for their professional career success. At the same time, it is believed that higher education is the institutional foundation for a graduate to be prepared for his/her professional career. But, the key factors that affect the effectiveness of virtual teamwork development are still not explored enough in the field of online higher education. Therefore this paper investigates the key factors to develop effective virtual teamwork in online higher education which eventually proposed as a conceptual model. This conceptual model of the key factors of virtual teamwork is derived based on the existing literature. The application of this model can help future graduates from online higher education to gain the required skills, knowledge, and ability to participate in virtual teamwork successfully and foster their early success in their professional careers. It can be used in the evaluation of a virtual team. Also, top managerial personnel of a globalized company can apply this model for the management of virtual teamwork.