Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The challenges of virtual partnerships: Critical success factors in the formation of inter-organisational teams

  • Published:
AI & SOCIETY Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Virtual teams formed across organisational boundaries and organised around an opportunity are a relatively new area of research. A review of previous research shows that, although virtual teams have been well defined as a concept, only a few studies have contributed to the understanding of the processes of assembling and maintaining effective inter-organisational teams enabled by new modes of communication. By combining cross-disciplinary theoretical approaches, the reported study presents a conceptual overview for collective teaming in virtual settings. The findings of the study confirm that inter-organisational teams follow special development patterns, which can be described as cyclical self-energising processes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, P.S. (1995). Interdepartmental Interdependence and Coordination: The Case of the Design/Manufacturing Interface,Organisation Science. 6(2). 147–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boje, D. and Dennehy, R. (1994). Managing inthe Postmodern World: America's Revolution Against Exploitation (2nd edn). Kendal-Hunt, Dubugue, IA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bucklin, L. and Segupta, S. (1993). Organising Successful Co-Marketing Alliances,Journal of Marketing,57(2). 32–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Byrne, J. (1993). The Virtual Corporation,Business Week. 3 February. 98–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chidambaram, L. (1996). Relational Development in Computer-Supported Groups,MIS Quarterly. 20(2). 143–165.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daft, R.L. and Lengel, R.H. (1984). Information Richness: A New Approach to Managerial Behaviour and Organisation Design. In Staw, B.M. and Cummings, L.L. (eds)Research in Organisational Behaviour. JAI Press, Greenwich, CT, pp. 191–233.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daft, R.L., Lengel, R.H. and Trevino, L.K. (1987). Message Equivocality, Media Selection and Manager Performance: Implications for Information Systems,MIS Quarterly,11(3). 355–368.

    Google Scholar 

  • Davidow, W.H. and Malone, W.S. (1992). The Virtual Corporation. Edward Burlinghame Books/Harper Business, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deaux, K. (1996). Social Identification. In Higgins, E.T. and Kruglanski, A.W. (eds)Social Psychology: Handbook of Basic Principles. Guilford Press, New York, pp. 777–798.

    Google Scholar 

  • Denzin, N. (1978). The Research Act. McGraw-Hill, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drucker, P.F. (1988). The Coming of the New Organisation,Harvard Business Review. January–February. 34–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Florida, R. and Kenney, M. (1990). The Breakthrough Illusion: Corporate America's Failure to Move from Innovation to Mass Production. Basic Books, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Galbraith, J.R. (1995). Designing Organisations: An Executive Briefing on Strategy, Structure, and Process. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • George, J. (1996). Virtual Best Practice: How to Successfully Introduce Virtual Team Working,Teams. November. 38–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gersick, C. (1988). Time and Transition in Work Teams: Toward a New Model of Group Development,Academy of Management Journal. 41. 9–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gersick, C.J. and Hackman, J.R. (1990). Habitual Routines in Task-Performing Groups,Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes. 47(1). 65–97.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grenier, R. and Metes, G. (1995). Going Virtual: Moving Your Organisation into the 21st Century. Prentice-Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hage, J. (1986). Responding to Technological and Competitive Change: Organisational and Industry Factors. In Davies, D. et al. (eds)Managing Technological Innovation. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 44–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hedlund, J., Ilgen, D.R. and Hollenbeck, J.R. (1998). Decision Accuracy in Computer-Mediated versus Face-to Face Decision-Making Teams,Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes. 76(1). 30–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, G. (1991). Cultures and Organisations: Software of the Mind. McGraw-Hill, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A.B. (1996a). Information Suppression and Status Persistence in Group Decision Making: The Effects of Communication Media,Human Communication Research. 23. 193–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hollingshead, A.B. (1996b). The Rank-Order Effect in Group Decision Making,Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision Processes. 68. 181–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Iacono, C.S. and Weisband, S. (1997). Developing Trust in Virtual Teams. InProceedings of the Hawaii international conference on systems sciences, Hawaii.

  • Jarvenpaa, S.L. and Ives, B. (1994). The Global Network Organisation of the Future: Information Management Opportunities and Challenges,Journal of Management Organisation Systems. 10(4). 25–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kiesler, S., Siegel, J. and McGuire, T. (1991). Social Aspects of Computer-Mediated Communication. In Dunlop, C. and Kling, R. (eds)Computerisation and Controversy: Value Conflicts and Social Choices. Harcourt Brace, Boston, MA, pp. 330–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kinlaw, D. (1991). Developing Superior Work Teams. Lexington Books, Lexington, MA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kristof, A.L., Brown, K.G., Sims Jr, H.P. and Smith, K.A. (1995). The Virtual Team: A Case Study and Inductive Model. In Beyerlein, M.M., Johnson, D.A. and Beyerlein, S.T. (eds)Advances in Interdisciplinary studies of Work Teams: Knowledge Work in Teams. JAI Press, Greenwich, CT, pp. 229–253.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lea, M. and Spears, R. (1992). Paralanguage and Social Perception in Computer-Mediated Communication,Journal of Organisational Computing. 2(3). 321–341.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewicki, R.J. and Bunker, B.B. (1995). Trust in Relationships: A Model of Trust Development and Decline. In Bunker, B.B. and Robin, J.Z. (eds)Conflict, Cooperation, and Justice. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA, pp. 133–173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipnack, J. and Stamps, J. (1997). Virtual Teams: Reaching Across Space, Time and Organisations with Technology. Wiley, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, J.E. (1991). Time, Interaction, and performance (TIP): A Theory of Groups,Small Group Research. 22(2). 147–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGrath, J.E. and Hollingshead, A.B. (1996). Groups Interacting with Technology. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyerson, D., Weick, K.E. and Kramer, R.M. (1994). Swift Trust and Temporary Groups. In Kramer, R.M. and Tayler, T.R. (eds)Trust in Organisations: Frontiers of Theory and Research. Sage, Thousand Oaks, CA, pp. 166–195.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyrowitz, J. (1985). No Sense of Place: The Impact of Electronic Media on Social Behaviour. Oxford University Press, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Miles, R. and Snow, C. (1995). The New Network Firm: A Spherical Structure Built on a Human Investment Philosophy,Organisational Dynamics. 23. 19–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohr, J. and Specman, R. (1994). Characteristics of Partnership Success: Partnership Attributes, Communication Behaviour, and Conflict Resolution Techniques,Strategic Management Journal. 15(2). 135–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mowshowitz, A. (1997). Virtual Organisation,Communications of the ACM. 40(9). 30–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • O'Hara-Devereaux, M. and Johansen, R. (1994). Global Work: Bridging Distance, Culture and Time. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peters, T. (1992). Liberation Management: Necessary Disorganisation for the Nanosecond Nineties. Knopf, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robbins, S. (1996). Organisational Behaviour: Concepts, Controversies, Applications (7th edn). Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snow, C.C., Snell, S.A. and Davison, S.C. (1996). Use Transnational Teams to Globalize Your Company,Organisational Dynamics. 24(4). 50–67.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spradley, J.P. (1980). Participant Observation. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College Publishers, Fort Worth TX.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sproull, L. and Kiesler, S. (1991). Making Connections: Computers can Enhance Employee Commitment-at a Cost.Employment Relations Today. 18. 53–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steward, T.A. (1994). Managing in a Wired Company,Fortune. 130(1). 44–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, A., DeMarie, S. and Hendricson, A. (1996). Are You Ready for Virtual Teams?,HR Magazine. September. 123–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • Traunt, T. (1996). High Performance Teams: A New Approach to Superior Performance. Entelechy Enterprises, Merrimack, NH.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walther, J.B. (1996). Computer-Mediated Communication: Impersonal, Interpersonal, and Hyperpersonal Interaction,Communication Research. 23(1). 1–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walther, J.B. (1997). Group and Interpersonal Effects in International Computer-Mediated Collaboration,Human Communication Research. 23(3). 342–369.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, R. (1985). Basic Content Analysis. Sage, Beverly Hills, CA.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. BDO Stoy Hayward Centre for Growing Businesses Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, NG1 4BU, Nottingham, UK

    Violina Ratcheva & Shailendra Vyakarnam

Authors
  1. Violina Ratcheva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shailendra Vyakarnam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Violina Ratcheva.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ratcheva, V., Vyakarnam, S. The challenges of virtual partnerships: Critical success factors in the formation of inter-organisational teams. AI & Soc 15, 99–116 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205740

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01205740

Key words

Search

Navigation