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Ascertaining the value of a virtual team strategy in development projects: a synchronicity conceptualization of communication performance

Ascertaining the value of a virtual team strategy in development projects: a synchronicity conceptualization of communication performance
Ascertaining the value of a virtual team strategy in development projects: a synchronicity conceptualization of communication performance
This research addresses the question of whether or not the adoption of a virtual team strategy creates value throughout the duration of a development project. It looks at the context in which communication occurs, and then examines the practices that are effective in facilitating communication performance. The thesis also presents discussions on the emerging new perspective of media synchronicity and its applicability to the analysis of the Nigerian operations of a development programme.

Data collection is centred on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) activities. With that in consideration, the research adopts a case study design. The technique of template analysis is applied in the analysis of qualitative data. Three work systems involved in the ERP setting (i.e.Applications Development, Business Services and Infrastructure Support) are examined.

Empirical analysis shows that communication media characteristics tend to influence an individual’s behaviour. People also behave differently based on the set of tool, policies and practices open to them – and so virtual teams don't all function in the same way. Research outcomes also contribute to managerial practices: it is suggested that enforcing appropriate control mechanisms can be more beneficial in a virtual team than instilling trust. Socio-emotional functions hold important implications for performance within these environments.
Obanya, Kaycee
05aa4159-d933-475b-b480-8e946688f843
Obanya, Kaycee
05aa4159-d933-475b-b480-8e946688f843
Klein, Jonathan
639e04f0-059a-4566-9361-a4edda0dba7d

Obanya, Kaycee (2015) Ascertaining the value of a virtual team strategy in development projects: a synchronicity conceptualization of communication performance. University of Southampton, Southampton Business School, Doctoral Thesis, 270pp.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This research addresses the question of whether or not the adoption of a virtual team strategy creates value throughout the duration of a development project. It looks at the context in which communication occurs, and then examines the practices that are effective in facilitating communication performance. The thesis also presents discussions on the emerging new perspective of media synchronicity and its applicability to the analysis of the Nigerian operations of a development programme.

Data collection is centred on Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) activities. With that in consideration, the research adopts a case study design. The technique of template analysis is applied in the analysis of qualitative data. Three work systems involved in the ERP setting (i.e.Applications Development, Business Services and Infrastructure Support) are examined.

Empirical analysis shows that communication media characteristics tend to influence an individual’s behaviour. People also behave differently based on the set of tool, policies and practices open to them – and so virtual teams don't all function in the same way. Research outcomes also contribute to managerial practices: it is suggested that enforcing appropriate control mechanisms can be more beneficial in a virtual team than instilling trust. Socio-emotional functions hold important implications for performance within these environments.

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Final PhD thesis - Kaycee Obanya.pdf - Other
Available under License University of Southampton Thesis Licence.
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More information

Published date: August 2015
Organisations: University of Southampton, Southampton Business School

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 400656
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/400656
PURE UUID: df20e9d8-c86a-4932-b398-460a474327f5
ORCID for Jonathan Klein: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-5495-8738

Catalogue record

Date deposited: 25 Oct 2016 14:14
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:34

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Contributors

Author: Kaycee Obanya
Thesis advisor: Jonathan Klein ORCID iD

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