Virtual Collaboration Research Articles

VSEMERA: pilot project assessing health profession students’ experiences in an international virtual research program

BackgroundThe “Virtual Semester for Medical Research Aachen” (vSEMERA) is an international, interdisciplinary, virtual education program developed for health profession students. The first edition (2021) was hosted by the Medical Faculty of RWTH Aachen University (Germany) in cooperation with Centro Universitário Christus (Brazil) and Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (Peru). The primary aim of the 12-weeks program was to provide students with skills in health science research and prepare them for scientific career paths.MethodsvSEMERA was built on a virtual learning platform, the “vSEMERA-Campus”, designed to foster students’ learning process and social interactions. Maximum flexibility was offered through synchronous and asynchronous teaching, enabling participants to join via any device from any part of the Globe alongside their regular studies. For the program’s first edition (September - November 2021), health profession students from Germany, Brazil, Peru, Spain, and Italy filled all 30 available spots. Satisfaction, quality of the program and courses offered, as well as perceived learning outcomes, were examined using questionnaires throughout and at the end of the program.ResultsThe program received a rating of 4.38 out of 5 stars. While it met most expectations (4.29 out of 5), participants were unable to attend as many courses as intended (2.81 out of 5), mainly due to scheduling conflicts with the home university schedule (46%), internships (23%), and general timing issues (31%). Participants acknowledged considerable improvements in their scientific skills, English language skills, confidence in scientific project management, research career progression, and enthusiasm for a scientific career.ConclusionsvSEMERA represents a promising example of an online international learning and exchange program using pedagogical and technological elements of virtual collaboration and teaching. In addition to advancing future vSEMERA editions, our results may offer insights for similar projects that address the targeted integration of scientific research education into an international, digital learning environment.

Strategies Adopted by Employees Toward Meeting the Requirements of International Company Needs and Developing Global Efficiency

"In the modern world, the international company cultivates a culture on a global scale. Employees face challenges in adapting to critical international cultural levels. Employees need to develop skills, language proficiency, and cultural understanding based on the needs and requirements of international company strategies for the work culture. Employees must develop communication skills to interact with colleagues and clients worldwide. Employees are encouraged to learn multiple languages to engage with different cultures for global business activities. They can leverage technology to bridge geographical gaps. With the rise of virtual collaboration tools, employees can now work seamlessly across borders. By embracing digital platforms and staying up-to-date with the latest technology trends, employees can enhance their productivity and contribute to global efficiency. They can seek training opportunities that specifically address the challenges of working in an international context, such as cross-cultural communication or global project management. By embracing cultural intelligence, enhancing language skills, leveraging technology, and investing in continuous learning, employees can play a vital role in driving the success of international organizations in today's interconnected world. To achieve these goals, employees can adopt several strategies that help them navigate the challenges of working in a global setting."

Catalysing virtual collaboration: The experience of the remote TIES working groups

AbstractDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, the idea of collaboration and scientific exchange between members of the scientific community was enhanced by technology. Virtual meetings and work platforms have become common resources to continue generating research, partially replacing instances of joint in‐person work before, during or after a conference. The idea of teleworking played a fundamental role in remote collaboration groups within The International Statistical Society (TIES), a community of interdisciplinary scientists such as statisticians, mathematicians, meteorologists, and biologists, among others working on quantitative methods to enhance solutions to environmental problems. In 2021 the Society launched three working groups with the aim of improving networking across the Society's members and develop creative collaboration, while advancing statistical and computational methods motivated by real‐world driven applications in environmental research. Here, we provide insights from this virtual collaborative initiative.

Building Interprofessional Competencies Through a Collaborative Prescribing Activity With Osteopathic, Pharmacy, and Physician Assistant Students.

Medication errors can lead to significant adverse events. Nearly 50% of medication errors occur during the prescription-writing stage of the medication use process, and effective interprofessional collaboration and communication are key to reducing error in this process. We developed a three-part, 60-minute, interprofessional education activity providing medical, physician assistant, and pharmacy students the opportunity to practice collegial interprofessional communication surrounding prescribing practices. Learners met virtually initially as a large group and divided into small groups facilitated by a health professional. Part 1 involved reviewing two prescriptions prepared by learners; part 2 was a discussion about the education, roles, and responsibilities of each profession; and part 3 focused on identifying prescription errors in examples provided by faculty. Students completed a post-pre survey measuring their perception of learning the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey (ICCAS) areas. Of 317 participants (151 doctor of osteopathy, 68 master of physician assistant studies, and 98 doctor of pharmacy students), 286 completed the post-pre survey, for a 90% response rate. Students reported statistically significant (p < .001) increases in all 20 questions spanning the six ICCAS areas. The virtual format allowed multiple institutions to participate from various locations. It broadened the learners' experience by fostering interaction among those with varied perspectives and allowed collaboration between locations and programs that otherwise could not have participated. The activity introduced students to virtual collaboration and key telehealth skills, enhancing their confidence and familiarity with virtual interactions in a professional setting.

Building sustainable organizations online: How leaders embed sustainability into organizational culture in virtual contexts

AbstractBusiness organizations may provide significant contributions toward sustainable development, and their leaders have a critical responsibility in incorporating sustainability into their organizational cultures. However, virtual collaboration creates specific challenges in this task. Although existing literature explores how sustainability is integrated into corporate culture in onsite contexts, a gap exists regarding this process in online teams. As such, this study explores how leaders embed sustainability into organizational culture in virtual contexts. Using thematic analysis on data gathered from interviews with 12 participants, this study suggests that leaders exhibit particular behaviors in this undertaking, including recognizing challenges, engaging employees, role modeling, crafting strategy and planning, monitoring and assessing performance, developing partnerships and activating internal communities, and aligning personal and organizational values. These may be further categorized into intrapersonal, interpersonal and functional leader behaviors, which remain salient in the new normal as organizations balance their virtual and face‐to‐face modes of interaction.

A Combined Platform for Meeting and Collaboration in the Learning Ecosystems

The effectiveness of software projects hinges on smooth information exchange among different teams involved, including project managers, team members, developers, designers, and clients. Given that many software companies handle multiple projects simultaneously, there's a pressing need for streamlined project management and virtual collaboration. Manual oversight of students' final year projects is arduous. This project seeks to develop an automated system for overseeing student activities, offering functionalities for project management, supervision, monitoring, and virtual teamwork. This system caters to the needs of students, project coordinators, and guides by facilitating seamless sharing and interaction.

Valuing Data: Attaching online data to stakes, selves, and other data

As datafication proceeds rapidly, a large, unwieldy amount of data is available online. In this article, we ask: How valuable is this data, how is it made valuable? To answer this question, we study how online data is endowed with worth in virtual collaboration workshops. Our workshops challenged participants to assert and question the worth of online data – a challenge that participants addressed by using a set of techniques of which we describe collage, hierarchy building, and calculation. Data, we show, gains value through attachment. Thinking with attachment, we foreground affect, materiality, and the situatedness of valuing online data. As ethnographers, we study how data, as haphazard as it comes, is attached to the circumstances and stakes at hand, to ourselves and to other data. Our study contributes a conceptual perspective that attends to the shifting boundaries of the personal and the public, tensions between locality and generality, the role of contiguity, and the limits of combinatorial connectivity.

E-HRM - Transforming Human Resource Management in the Digital Age: A Conceptual study

In the digital age, Electronic Human Resource Management (e-HRM) emerges as a transformative force reshaping traditional HR practices and organizational dynamics. E-HRM was developed due to advancements in technology, resulting in a reduction of administrative tasks for HR professionals (Thathsara, 2021). This paper explores the evolution, significance, and future trends of e-HRM in the context of modern Human Resource Management (HRM). The study begins by defining e-HRM as the integration of HRM strategies, processes, and systems through information technology. It traces the evolution of e-HRM from its inception to its current state, highlighting key features, components, and advantages. Moreover, the paper delves into the implementation challenges and considerations associated with e-HRM, including resistance to change, data security concerns, and the need for comprehensive training. Furthermore, it explores future trends and innovations in e-HRM, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain technology, and virtual collaboration, and discusses their implications for HR practices and organizational performance. In conclusion, the study underscores the transformative potential of e-HRM in driving organizational excellence, employee engagement, and competitive advantage in the digital age. It calls for organizations to embrace e-HRM as a strategic enabler for digital transformation and to invest in innovative HR solutions to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.

THE ROLE OF RHETORIC IN TEACHER VIRTUAL EXCHANGES: NAVIGATING DIGITAL COMMUNICATION IN EDUCATIONAL CONTEXTS

Educators’ rhetorical skills are pivotal in virtual collaboration between teachers and parents, enhancing communication clarity and overcoming cultural barriers, thereby enriching educational experience and fostering intercultural understanding. A review of scientific databases such as Academic Search Complete, ERIC, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify peer-reviewed articles from 2018 onwards that explore the role of rhetoric in teacher virtual exchanges. Articles were analysed for themes, findings, biases, and research gaps. A notable finding is the lack of research on rhetoric in virtual teacher exchanges, despite its potential to overcome cultural barriers and enhance collaboration. The study reveals that effective rhetorical techniques can improve clarity, persuasiveness, and intercultural understanding in virtual exchanges, indicating a need for more research and educational programs in this area. Furthermore, the study extends to virtual communication between teachers and parents, especially with non-native speakers or those with limited proficiency in the official language. This highlights the need for teachers to use sophisticated rhetorical strategies in diverse linguistic situations to improve understanding and involvement. In summary, the research underscores the significant impact of rhetorical skills in virtual teacher exchanges, with broader implications for global collaboration and intercultural understanding in the educational sphere. Keywords: educational technology, intercultural communication, parent-teacher collaboration, rhetorical strategies, virtual exchange.

Effects of Explanation Types on User Satisfaction and Performance in Human-agent Teams

Automated agents, with rapidly increasing capabilities and ease of deployment, will assume more key and decisive roles in our societies. We will encounter and work together with such agents in diverse domains and even in peer roles. To be trusted and for seamless coordination, these agents would be expected and required to explain their decision making, behaviors, and recommendations. We are interested in developing mechanisms that can be used by human-agent teams to maximally leverage relative strengths of human and automated reasoners. We are interested in ad hoc teams in which team members start to collaborate, often to respond to emergencies or short-term opportunities, without significant prior knowledge about each other. In this study, we use virtual ad hoc teams, consisting of a human and an agent, collaborating over a few episodes where each episode requires them to complete a set of tasks chosen from available task types. Team members are initially unaware of the capabilities of their partners for the available task types, and the agent task allocator must adapt the allocation process to maximize team performance. It is important in collaborative teams of humans and agents to establish user confidence and satisfaction, as well as to produce effective team performance. Explanations can increase user trust in agent team members and in team decisions. The focus of this paper is on analyzing how explanations of task allocation decisions can influence both user performance and the human workers’ perspective, including factors such as motivation and satisfaction. We evaluate different types of explanation, such as positive, strength-based explanations and negative, weakness-based explanations, to understand (a) how satisfaction and performance are improved when explanations are presented, and (b) how factors such as confidence, understandability, motivation, and explanatory power correlate with satisfaction and performance. We run experiments on the CHATboard platform that allows virtual collaboration over multiple episodes of task assignments, with MTurk workers. We present our analysis of the results and conclusions related to our research hypotheses.

메타버스를 활용한 학습공동체 활동이 대학생의 메타버스 리터러시와 학습몰입도에 미치는 영향

The aim of this study was to analyze the metaverse literacy and learning immersion. We examined the metaverse literacy of 22 university students. We analyzed the significant variables that affected the effectiveness of their learning commitment. We also investigated the differences in learning commitment based on the levels of metaverse literacy and analyzed learning activities. The study’s results revealed the following: First, there was a noticeable improvement in metaverse literacy, which included aspects such as self-identity, self-learning, digital communication, and virtual collaboration. Second, virtual collaboration and digital communication had a significant influence on learning immersion. Third, the higher the metaverse literacy level, the deeper the learning immersion experienced by the students. Fourth, within the metaverse environment, learners engaged in immersive activities and discussions. This study is pivotal as it gauges the effectiveness of community learning activities conducted within the metaverse by linking them with both metaverse literacy and learning immersion.

The Covid-19 Pandemic and The Future of Work.

The "future of work" refers to workplace modifications projected to occur following large scale events impacting workforce health and safety such as pandemics, technological advancements, or economic shifts. This paper examines the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future of work. The electronic databases PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus were explored using search terms such as "post-pandemic," "working force," and "future of work" to retrieve papers published between 2000 and 2023. The main characteristics of the future of work modification revealed are blurring of work-home boundaries, increase in telework and the gig economy, demand for artificial intelligence, smart working, quiet hiring, diversity and inclusion, and algocratic governance. Needed skills include virtual collaboration capability, cross-cultural competency, computational thinking, news media literacy, transdisciplinarity, sense making, and focusing on mental health and well-being. Organizations are remodeling workforces to meet employee, employer, regulatory, and market expectations to adapt to future workplace needs.

BEST PRACTICES IN STRATEGIC PROJECT MANAGEMENT ACROSS MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS: A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE ON SUCCESS FACTORS AND CHALLENGES

In today's highly competitive and dynamic business environment, multinational corporations (MNCs) face unique challenges in managing strategic projects across diverse geographical locations. This review explores the best practices in strategic project management from a global perspective, focusing on the critical success factors and challenges encountered by MNCs. Successful strategic project management in MNCs necessitates a comprehensive understanding of various factors, including cultural differences, regulatory requirements, and market dynamics across different regions. The review highlights the significance of effective communication, cultural sensitivity, and stakeholder engagement as fundamental success factors in managing projects within MNCs. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of aligning project goals with overall business objectives to ensure strategic relevance and value creation. Challenges faced by MNCs in strategic project management include coordination and integration issues arising from diverse organizational structures, conflicting priorities, and resource constraints. Furthermore, navigating through geopolitical uncertainties, legal complexities, and compliance requirements presents additional hurdles for MNCs operating across multiple jurisdictions. Drawing on insights from academic literature and industry practices, this review provides an overview of best practices adopted by successful MNCs to overcome these challenges and achieve project success. It discusses the significance of establishing standardized project management frameworks, leveraging technology for virtual collaboration, and fostering a culture of innovation and adaptability within the organization. this review underscores the importance of adopting a holistic approach to strategic project management in MNCs, integrating people, processes, and technology to drive sustainable growth and competitive advantage in an increasingly globalized business landscape.&#x0D; Keywords: Project Management, Multinational Corporation, Global Perspective, Best Practices, Review.

Achieving Sustainability in Newly Founded Start-Up Businesses: Navigating Challenges and Gaining Insights

Entrepreneurs embody multifaceted roles as leaders, risk-takers, and learners, driving toward success while transforming dreams into reality. However, amid their journey, they encounter formidable challenges. Hence, this article delves into startup entrepreneurs' hurdles in fostering sustainability. Amidst today's focus on sustainability, startups must navigate obstacles to enhance customer ratings and long-term performance. Examining risk management models, implementing eco-friendly technologies, and refining marketing strategies are crucial. Moreover, fostering virtual collaboration among geographically dispersed employees is essential to mitigate external challenges and achieve sustainability. Through these endeavors, entrepreneurs pave the path toward enduring success in the dynamic landscape of startup ventures.

Creating an Immersive Virtual Reality Game Space for Multiuser, Synchronous Co-Located Collaboration: Design Considerations and Influencing Factors

The last decade has witnessed the rapid development of immersive virtual reality (IVR) and its application in various contexts. However, its application in supporting real-time virtual collaboration has been quite rare due to technical barriers and the lack of validated design principles. To address this research gap, this study designed and developed an IVR space to enable multiuser synchronous co-located collaboration to complete a fantasy game. An evaluation study (N = 95) was conducted to explore its useful design considerations and the influencing factors for collaboration experience in the game. The IVR space was enabled by the simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM)-based inside-out tracking technique and was informed by four essential design considerations for promoting effective collaboration in IVR, namely, the role script, learning task, collaboration mechanism, and communication design. The study results revealed that students in general were satisfied with their collaboration experience in IVR, with social presence and collaboration competency as significant predictors of collective efficacy and social experience. Based on both quantitative and qualitative results, this study proposes four validated principles for designing effective IVR spaces to support synchronous co-located collaboration.

Human resources challenges in global health organizations: Managing a diverse and dispersed workforce

In the dynamic landscape of global health organizations, Human Resources (HR) faces unique challenges in managing a diverse and dispersed workforce. This review explores the multifaceted issues that HR professionals encounter while navigating the intricacies of global health settings. One of the foremost challenges is the diversity inherent in the workforce of global health organizations. These entities often bring together professionals from diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds, creating a melting pot of perspectives and approaches. HR must devise strategies to foster inclusivity, address cultural differences, and promote effective communication to harness the collective strength of this diverse talent pool. Furthermore, the dispersed nature of global health organizations presents a logistical challenge for HR management. With teams spread across different geographic locations, time zones, and cultural contexts, coordinating and integrating human resources practices becomes inherently complex. Virtual collaboration tools and innovative communication strategies become imperative to bridge the geographical gaps and create a cohesive organizational culture. Managing talent retention and development in such a context becomes crucial. HR professionals need to design policies and programs that cater to the professional growth and well-being of employees regardless of their physical location. This involves implementing virtual training programs, mentorship initiatives, and performance evaluation systems that transcend geographical boundaries. Moreover, compliance with local and international labor laws adds another layer of complexity to HR management in global health organizations. Navigating the legal landscape and ensuring adherence to diverse regulatory frameworks require a nuanced approach and continuous monitoring. Human Resources faces a myriad of challenges in global health organizations, from fostering diversity and inclusion to navigating the complexities of a dispersed workforce. Successfully addressing these challenges demands a strategic and adaptive HR approach, leveraging technology, cultural sensitivity, and innovative practices to create a unified and thriving global health workforce.

Human-Centered Interaction in Virtual Worlds: A New Era of Generative Artificial Intelligence and Metaverse

The metaverse has emerged as an exciting new paradigm for human-computer interaction (HCI) and virtual collaboration. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the metaverse to address the gap in the existing literature where there is a lack of a survey that reviews the nature of the metaverse and its building blocks from a human-centric perspective. We first synthesize a definition of the metaverse from existing literature and delineate key affordances. We then introduce a detailed framework encompassing the metaverse’s nature, infrastructure technologies, and input/output technologies that facilitate multi-sensory HCI, alongside applications across diverse domains. The components within this framework are explained in depth, offering insights into the metaverse’s nature and the readiness level of current technologies. Based on this comprehensive analysis, we outline major open challenges and propose promising directions demanding further exploration and investigation. By clarifying the vision for the metaverse and characterizing the building blocks required to realize it, this review provides essential insights and serves as an invaluable resource for metaverse developers and researchers working to advance this transformative new medium.

WORK FROM HOME IS BECOMING THE NEW STANDARD OF EMPLOYMENT

When work from home was approved during COVID-19, technologies like digitization, distributed workforces, asynchronous and virtual collaboration, as well as reskilling and upskilling, were already revolutionizing the workplace. The COVID-19 has reduced the many-year gap in digitization since people who work from home accept it more rapidly than they might have in the past. Many jobs now have the permanent option of working from home thanks to COVID-19, even if not all office work can be done from home. Environments that allow employees to work from home promote the creation of operational models that are more digitally enabled, redesigned workspaces that encourage innovation, and enhanced methods of communication. When we opt for the work from home model or a hybrid of it, technology is vital to carrying out your obligations. Due to technology, working from home is now more common than it was in the IT industry before COVID-19. Future employment will change as a result of technology. The epidemic has accelerated Future of Work trends like the development of hybrid models, more attention to EHS (employee health scheme) and increased workplace flexibility. Government offices quickly transformed into digital environments after permitting remote work. Working from home in a hybrid model is an option for about 85% of employees as the new standard and is projected to continue to be so in the future due to the flexibility of working hours. Following the approval of the work-from-home paradigm, tier 2 and tier 3 cities will play a significant role. Workplaces of the future may undergo numerous modifications. We can categorize tasks into those that can be completed at home or in the office depending on the nature of the work.

Advancements in software engineering using AI

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the space of software engineering marks a transformative period that reshapes traditional development processes and propels the industry into a new era of innovation. This exploration delves into the multifaceted impact of AI, from its roots in early symbolic AI to the contemporary dominance of machine learning and deep learning. AI’s applications span various domains, but its significance in software engineering lies in its ability to enhance efficiency, improve software quality, and introduce novel approaches to problem-solving. From automating routine tasks to streamlining complex development workflows, AI acts as a virtual collaborator, allowing human developers to focus on higher-order thinking and creativity. This study introduces the application of AI in software engineering. reverse-engineering, and development environments. Moreover, ethical considerations, challenges, and future trends, including explainable AI, reinforcement learning, and human-AI collaboration, are presented.

DEVELOPMENT OF MEDIA COMPETENCE OF FUTURE TEACHERS IN THE CONDITIONS OF DIGITAL EDUCATION

In the context of digital education, the article analyzes how future teachers are developing their media competence. The ability to examine the stages of prospective teachers’ media competence development and analyze that development in relation to digital education constitutes the analysis’s key components. According to the goal of this study, an analysis of the psychological and pedagogical literature on the topic under study was carried out, as well as an analysis of the motivational component, which includes the motives for contact with media texts, the contact component as the frequency of communication with the media, informational, creative, perceptual, evaluative and practical components. When conducting an empirical study, modified blocks of questions of the A.V. Fedorov methodology were used to identify the development of future teachers’ media competence. The topic’s relevance under study is also described. The definition of «media competence” is given and the analysis of foreign literature in this area is carried out. The developmental stages of perceptual, interpretive, and creative indicators were identified. It was noted how perceptual and interpretative indicators related to one another as a result of the mutual examination and evaluation of media resources. Future educators gain crucial abilities for future professionals in the development of media competency, including new media competence, virtual collaboration, transdisciplinarity, and design thinking. Keywords: media competence, media resources, intellectual technologies, future teachers, network educational module, university.