Trust in virtual teams

Abstract

Virtual teams are becoming increasingly more common in organizations around the country and around the world. In virtual teams, members often do not have the opportunity to meet in person and must interact through computer-mediated technologies, which eliminate social cues. Team members generally have no previous experience working together, and the lifespan of the team is short. However, to work efficiently and productively, team members must develop a sense of trust amongst the team and between team members and managers. This paper discusses aspects of virtual team functioning, including the importance of trust in organizations, communication characteristics of virtual teams, and developing trust on virtual teams. It also offers avenues for further research on virtual teams.