Research on the Behavior of Factors That Influence the International Virtual Project Team Performance, Using Data Modeling Techniques

Iulia Dumitraşcu-Băldău,Oana Dumitraşcu

doi:10.3390/su11030607

Iulia Dumitraşcu-Băldău, Oana Dumitraşcu

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030607

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Jan 24, 2019
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu

Abstract

International projects have helped organizations around the world to better adapt to the new environmental conditions in which they operate, driven by the phenomenon of globalization. Electronic communication and information tools have enabled the creation of international virtual project teams (IVPTs), allowing team members to collaborate regardless of their geographic location or cultural, historical, socio-political, and educational differences. However, such an environment characterized by diversity will be productive only if the project team managers acknowledge and understand the behavior of influence factors comprised by the virtual environment, developing, accordingly, strategies that support team performance. In order to analyze the factors that influence IVPT performance, we used a C5.0 algorithm on the dataset through IBM SPSS Modeler software. Data collection was performed through an online survey, conducted within 107 IVPT members and managers, in order to answer the third question of the research. The predictive model created by the data mining algorithm revealed that the most important fields underlying the decision tree building were the cognitive skills training programs, team culture, and selection of IVPT members based on the characterisics of their national cultures. These results demonstrate the hypothesis that culture represents one of the most important factors influencing team performance.

Highlights

Many of the companies that initiate international projects develop sustainable strategies to align with international environmental policies, supporting sustainable development
This research was conducted in order to offer better understanding regarding the importance of factors that influence international virtual project teams (IVPTs) performance, on which international project managers should concentrate their attention and resources, in order to create the IVPT which will ensure international project success
Following the data mining process using the IBM SPSS Modeler software, we have been able to interpret the behavior of factors that influence the IVPT performance, which can be the starting point for future research studies, due to the accuracy of this method and predictive model obtained.The research results are of particular importance, pointing out that IVPT performance can be strongly influenced by the cognitive skills training of IVPT members, the national cultural dimensions that differentiate countries from which team members originate, and team culture

Summary

Introduction

Many of the companies that initiate international projects develop sustainable strategies to align with international environmental policies, supporting sustainable development. “Sustainable development is a major concern as countries attempt to implement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions This involves reducing environmental pollution and the use of resources. The emergence of the internet enabled a substantial reduction in costs, and even their elimination, turning these dispersed teams into project teams in the virtual environment, enabling organizations to turn technology into a competitive advantage. This is supported by P.E. Brewer’s team definition, which states that “a virtual team is a team that performs most of its work remotely through technology, as opposed to doing tasks in face-to-face context” [6] Text messages, e-learning modules, cloud computing, team members can interact in a more accessible way, from anywhere, anytime” [7] (p. 16)

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