Full Length Research Paper

Effective virtual teams for new product development

Nader Ale Ebrahim¹*, Shamsuddin Ahmed¹, Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid¹ and Zahari Taha²

¹Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture, Faculty of Engineering, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

²Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering and Management Technology, University Malaysia Pahang, 26300 Gambang, Pahang, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author E-mail: aleebrahim@siswa.um.edu.my.

Accepted March 29, 2012

 Abstract

At present, the existing literature shows that the factors which influence the effectiveness of virtual teams for new product development are still ambiguous. To address this problem, a research design was developed, which includes detailed literature review, preliminary model and field survey. From literature review, the factors which influence the effectiveness of virtual teams are identified and these factors are modified using a field survey. The relationship between knowledge workers (people), process and technology in virtual teams is explored in this study. The results of the study suggest that technology and process are tightly correlated and need to be considered early in virtual teams. The use of software as a service, web solution, report generator and tracking system should be incorporated for effectiveness virtual teams.

Key words: Virtual teams, collaboration, questionnaires, communication, information, integration, performance, success, cross-functional teams, product development.