Virtual Teams in Today\'s Working Environment

Lipnack & Stamps (1999) conducted a study in which they examined the emergence of virtual teams as a new modality for working. The study was carried out on the premise that the emergence of the Information Age has contributed to the advent of a working culture where people must no longer be in the same location in order to work together. The Information Age is characterized by the development and increased use of interactive technologies, which have contributed to the emergence of virtual teams. Through the interactive technologies, the virtual teams provide a framework through which people work across organizations, time, space, and boundaries. The study focused on examining and determining the factors that contribute to the effectiveness and success of virtual teams as new models for working in the 21st Century organizations and business environment.

The research problem in this study is the factors or basic principles that contribute to the success of virtual teams, which have become common in today's business environment. Lipnack & Stamps (1999) sought to address this issue on the premise that the changes in the 21st Century organizations have contributed to the emergence and rapid growth of these teams and network of teams in the working environment. While the authors recognize the increased prevalence of virtual teams, they also note that its important to establish the basic principles that contribute to their success, which is the phenomenon under investigation in the study.

The issue of factors/basic principles that contribute to the success of virtual teams in the modern working environment has been the subject of numerous studies given the prevalence of these teams in today's workplace. Earnhardt (2009) conducted a study to determine the key factors that contribute to the success and failure of virtual teams. The researcher found that the key enabling factors in success of these new models of working are clarification of objectives, technology, and team formation. Clarifying objectives relates to determine the purpose of the team and communicating it to team members. This helps in ensuring that every team member engages in activities that enhance the achievement of the desired objectives. Earnhardt (2009) seemingly concurs with Lipnack & Stamps (1999) on the premise that purpose is a crucial factor towards ensuring the success of virtual teams because it's the glue that holds people together. Technology involves the use of appropriate technological strategies and tools towards accomplishing the various activities and tasks. This finding concurs with Lipnack & Stamps (1999) on the premise that appropriate communication technologies are crucial for establishing connections within the team. Team formulation is an important factor in the success of virtual teams because it helps in determining the right people for the right jobs. Similarly, Lipnack & Stamps (1999) contend that people are the major components of virtual team. Szewc (2013) provides a different view of the factors that promote success of virtual teams by arguing that these teams require effective management and suitable distribution of tasks.

While Lipnack & Stamps (1999) and Earnhardt (2009) provide significant insights on the success factors for virtual teams, their arguments do not address the factors that affect the team members themselves. These studies are seemingly focus on the management perspective in establishing the virtual teams and do not address the factors that relate to the team members themselves. Therefore, the studies are only suitable in providing a foundational understanding of the factors that contribute to success of virtual teams that have become prevalent in the modern working environment. On the other hand, while Szewc (2013) provides understanding of the issue relating to the members of virtual teams, the study is primarily a literature review that is not based on findings of empirical studies. The researcher simply relies on concepts documented in existing literature but does not conduct an empirical analysis of these concepts. Through reliance on existing literature, the study does not provide an in-depth analysis of the phenomenon under investigation.

The study by Lipnack & Stamps (1999) is significant for organization managers and leaders with regards to understanding the foundational components towards establishing and ensuring the success of virtual teams. Since the research provides foundational principles, it is suitable for organization managers and leaders as they establish these teams and work towards ensuring their success. The study is also important for employees because it enables them to understand their role and significance in ensuring the success of the different work teams as they work collaboratively in different locations and settings. Through this research, employees understand the communication aspects that affect their effectiveness in the virtual teams. This understanding enables employees to ensure suitable communication channels exist in order to enhance the success and effectiveness of the virtual teams.