Title: Virtual team environment for collaborative research projects

Authors: Lavinia Precup, David O'Sullivan, Kathryn Cormican, Lawrence Dooley

Addresses: CIMRU, National University of Ireland, Nun's Island, Galway, Ireland. ' CIMRU, National University of Ireland, Nun's Island, Galway, Ireland. ' CIMRU, National University of Ireland, Nun's Island, Galway, Ireland. ' CEM, University of Dundee, Dundee DD14HN, UK

Abstract: Large amounts of money are spent all over the world on R&D, in order to ensure future sustainability. However, much of this research fails to meet its full potential. These R&D projects are often costly and inefficient due to problems associated with working in a team environment, involving members from different geographical regions. One of the main limiting factors that reduce the potential output of this type of project is the poor communication, knowledge sharing and learning between members of the virtual team. In this context, collaboration and virtual team management are key issues that need to be addressed by today|s innovation projects. This paper presents a literature review developed on the concept of collaboration between individuals working in a team and the advantages and requirements of virtual teams. It also presents a possible solution for the development of a virtual team environment that fosters better learning and innovation and ensures a good collaboration between individuals working in an innovation project.

Keywords: virtual teams; distributed innovation; collaboration; learning; Microsoft sharepoint; teamwork; collaborative research; R&D projects; research and development; communication; knowledge sharing; team management.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2006.008181

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2006 Vol.3 No.1, pp.77 - 94

Published online: 22 Nov 2005 *

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