Facilitating virtual team relationships via Internet and conventional communication channels

TLDR

Personal relationships are essential for effective teamwork, yet guidance on building online relationships in virtual teams is scarce. The study investigates how virtual team facilitators build and maintain online relationships, focusing on their use of Internet‑based and conventional electronic communication channels. The authors examined facilitators’ use of Internet‑based and conventional electronic communication channels to build relationships with virtual team members. The study found that certain electronic communication channels are more effective than others, and recommends that facilitators strategically select channels to build online relationships.

Abstract

The development of personal relationships between team members is recognised as an important factor in enhancing effective working relationships among members of both co‐located and virtual teams. However, little has been written on how to build these online relationships among virtual team members. This paper reports part of a qualitative research study on how facilitators of virtual teams build and maintain online relationships. In particular, the paper examines how virtual team facilitators use Internet‐based and conventional electronic communication channels to build relationships with their virtual team members. The findings suggest that some electronic communication channels are more effective than others in building online relationships. The paper concludes by suggesting that facilitators need to strategically use the channels available to them to effectively build online relationships.