A Model of Transiting Individual Efforts to the Outcomes of Virtual Team

Abstract

Few studies have formulated how individuals contribute to the team process and bring the success of virtual teams. The researcher attempted to integrate Technology-Task fit (TTF), Self-disclosure and Social Networks to build a framework to formulate how individual efforts are transited to the outcome of virtual teams. This framework was validated by an experiment which was engaged in a Wiki system. The results revealed that virtual team members interact by computer-mediated communication (CMC), the social relations were formed and gradually the team was tied together as a group. The efforts of each member are integrated by social ties in order to accomplish the goals. Three suggestions were proposed: (a) an appropriate technology which fits to the tasks should be provided; (b) an adequate training of operating the technology and disclose is needed to help members convey social cues and information to accomplish the tasks; (c) a mechanism to ensure the social ties go on the right track is crucial such as the frequency of communication and the way of solving conflicts.