Benefits and Pitfalls of Virtual R&D Teams: An Empirical Study

6th International Communication & Information Technology Management Conference, 2010

5 Pages Posted: 20 Dec 2010

See all articles by Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973; Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM); University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM)

Zahari Taha

University of Malaya (UM)

Date Written: February 23, 2010

Abstract

In this paper, advantages and drawbacks of virtual teams in research and development (R&D) are studied. With the globalization of commercial practices and advances in information and communication technologies, increasing numbers of enterprises are establishing cross-functional, geographically distributed virtual teams. Virtual teams in R&D are designed to access external resources and knowledge to maximize the competitive advantage from limited labor and resources. A survey has been conducted on 210 Malaysian and Iranian manufacturing companies, aimed to investigate the characteristics of R&D collaborations and extract the main advantages/disadvantages’ factors of virtual teams. These factors can be a guide line for R&D manager to achieve better performance of virtual teams.

Keywords: Virtual Teams, Research and Developments, Survey Finding

JEL Classification: L1, L11, L7, M11, M12, M1, Q32, Q31, M54, O1, O3, O32, P42, P24, L17, L15, Z, N6

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim, Nader and Ahmed, Shamsuddin and Taha, Zahari, Benefits and Pitfalls of Virtual R&D Teams: An Empirical Study (February 23, 2010). 6th International Communication & Information Technology Management Conference, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1728809

Nader Ale Ebrahim (Contact Author)

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973 ( email )

Iran

Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
Malaysia

HOME PAGE: http://https://umresearch.um.edu.my/

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Zahari Taha

University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

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