Virtual Teamwork: A Product of Globalization Implications for University Education

Abstract

With globalization, virtual teamwork is becoming the predominant type of labour organization within multinational companies. Empirical studies on this new form of teamwork show that besides requiring specific knowledge, this teamwork requires social skills, as well as media and methodological competencies. Through the Bologna-Process European universities received clear directions to prepare young professionals for the challenges of the future working life by focusing on extra-curricular activities and developing personal key competencies. Accordingly, this essay outlines how to prepare students to work in a virtual team environment by making fundamental reforms to university education. A key element of proposed reforms is the introduction of Collaborative Computer Supported Learning as the leading didactic principle, especially in postgraduate studies.

Keywords: Virtual teamwork, virtual team work, new media, globalization, university education, computer supported collabortaive learning, CSCL, virual team, virtual collaboration, knowledge management

JEL Classification: A10, A20, A23, D21, F23, J10, J23, L16, M12