Cultural Issues in a Virtual Team
There are various cultural issues that a virtual team leader or the members usually encounter in their daily undertakings. One of them is the fact that the members of these groups do not share similar communication skills. This is as a result of different usage of their languages and also their varied non-verbal ways of sending messages. Secondly, in some cultures, it is taboo to talk about certain aspects of life while in others, people are so free to talk about their feelings and even give personal information.
Thirdly, people have got different opinions as regards matters of conflict. In this case, some people support conflict when handling their disputes while others do not support it. Another cultural issue is that the virtual team members will make their decisions in different ways. Some people will opt for democracy while others will always try and object to what their leader says.
To promote cultural sensitivity one has to put the following measures in place. One of them is to encourage sharing amongst members to enhance oneness. Secondly, the group with the help of their leader should set rules to be followed by each member. Finally, we should encourage collaborative efforts to make members have a sense of belonging in one community, thus one culture for all people.
How Anonymity and Being Text-Based Would Result in Closeness and Intimacy Between Group Members?
Some features of virtual group dynamics such as anonymity and being text-based would result in closeness and intimacy. One of the instances is whereby; the socially anxious individuals can comfortably form social bonds in virtual groups. Here the shy people will be able to establish relationships which are extremely intimate unlike in face to face encounter. Secondly, it enables one to establish new ties and creates an avenue to maintain existing ties.
This is quite helpful especially in situations in which ones’ family members are separated geographically. Also, this reduces the feeling of isolation and loneliness and thus increasing ones’ social circles. Finally, the members of virtual groups usually identify some new and very important social aspects and try by all means to actualize them. This creates a desire for them to meet their friends in person. The anonymity can also be felt as a result of deindividuality (situation whereby one is submerged in environmental conditions such as that of darkness or a large number of people thus losing self-awareness) which is of negative effects.
The reduced self-awareness can lead to aggressive behaviors. This is because it lessens the ones’ sense of responsibility and gives one less force to abide by the societal required standard of behavior. It also weakens people’s ability to restrain their behaviors and thus they react to their emotions resulting in antisocial behaviors thus hostility.
The Concept of a Mature or “Learning” Group
There are several undertakings in which one can make as a facilitator to enhance the development of virtual groups into mature groups or the so-called “learning” groups. One of them is by cultivating the culture and spirit of interpersonal communication.
This will translate to mutual respect and genuine transmission of feedback amongst the members of these virtual groups. Secondly, the members should share their values and goals and try to harmonize them to ensure that are no conflicts of interest amongst the virtual group members. Thirdly, members can also try and invite each other so that they can discuss their views to come up with information based on mutual consensus amongst all virtual group members. Finally, they should try to accommodate their fear to meditate on experience and also learn to work in oneness.
E-Collaboration Systems
Several factors need to be taken into account to ensure that e-collaborations solutions succeed. The main factors include organizational culture, technology, and detailed planning. One of the other factors of successful e-collaborations solutions to consider is the size of the population and geographical space between the members. The larger the number of the members and the larger the distance between the members, the more complex and sophisticated the structure of the e-collaboration will be needed and vice versa. Secondly, another factor to consider is the availability of resources.
If there are sufficient resources then the e-collaborations solutions will develop more successfully. Nevertheless, the availability of resources does not guarantee automatic success. Therefore there is a need to utilize the available resources effectively.
In the course of implementing the e-collaborative system at the place of my work, I will undertake the following measures to ensure it becomes a success. First, I will provide a social connection. This means that I will try as much as possible to address matters that concern the interest of all people. Secondly, I will facilitate trust among the members of the e-collaborative system. Trust can be embraced through the show of honesty among members and also a good performance by members without being monitored. Thirdly, I will provide leadership that will eliminate anxiety and ignorance among members. I will achieve this by properly motivating members and harmonizing individual member goals.
Fourthly, I will put into place the most efficient technology. For example, ensuring internet services are fast and reliable, also by applying information communication and technology to facilitate coordination among members. Finally, I will introduce rules which will guide the members in the e-collaborative system.
References
(n.d.). Informing Science Institute. Web.
(n.d.). Informing Science Institute. Web.
(n.d.). UBC ECE | Electrical and Computer Engineering | UBC. Web.