Intense Collaboration in Globally Distributed Teams: Evolving Patterns of Dependencies and Coordination

41 Pages Posted: 27 Sep 2004

See all articles by Kuldeep Kumar

Kuldeep Kumar

Florida International University (FIU) - Department of Decision Sciences & Information Systems

P. C. van Fenema

Netherlands Defence Academy

Mary Ann Von Glinow

Florida International University

Date Written: June 2004 8,

Abstract

As multi-national firms and major offshore outsourcing companies develop experience with global work, their globally distributed teams face the challenge of collaborating intensely without the common interaction advantages associated with collocated work. This chapter analyzes the sources of intense collaboration. It then introduces strategies that organizations have developed to reduce the intensity of collaboration (sequentializing work, using mediating artifacts, modularity), or to enable intense teamwork (real time contact, boundary spanners). Strategy properties and deployment opportunities and constraints are indicated in order to equip managers and researchers with a framework for handling or analyzing globally distributed teamwork.

Keywords: globally distributed teams, intense collaboration, coordination

JEL Classification: M, M11, R4, L1

Suggested Citation

Kumar, Kuldeep and van Fenema, Paul C. and Von Glinow, Mary Ann, Intense Collaboration in Globally Distributed Teams: Evolving Patterns of Dependencies and Coordination (June 2004 8,). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=594988

Kuldeep Kumar (Contact Author)

Florida International University (FIU) - Department of Decision Sciences & Information Systems ( email )

University Park
BA 250
Miami, FL 33199
United States

Paul C. Van Fenema

Netherlands Defence Academy

PO Box 90002
Breda, 4800
Netherlands

HOME PAGE: http://www.nlda.nl, www.paulcvanfenema.com

Mary Ann Von Glinow

Florida International University ( email )

University Park
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami, FL 33199
United States

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