Understanding well-being in virtual teams: a comparative case study

Abstract. Although virtual teams (VTs) have been around for over two decades, there are no studies explicitly examining their members’ well-being. Motivated, therefore, by a knowledge gap in the VT literature, and a practical need to understand well-being in this context due to the Covid-19 pandemic which has led to an unprecedented transition into virtual working, in this paper, we draw on 14 interviews and present initial findings of a comparative case between two European organizations involving different types (global vs. local) of VTs (Phase 1). Using the job demands-resources (JDR) model as our theoretical lens, we make the following contributions: We identify the situated character of job demands and resources among our participants, explaining how VT members experience simultaneously increased job demands and reduced job resources, which, in combination, may substantially impair their well-being. We also find that understandings of demands and resources are idiosyncratic and vary depending prior individual experiences of VT members. We discuss initial theoretical and practical contributions of Phase 1 of our study and outline our next steps (Phases 2 and 3)

Creativity in virtual design teams

Virtual Teams are an increasingly seen phenomenon in the digitally-mediated global workplace. The creativity of Virtual Design Teams, a quite popular working arrangement amongst contemporary organizations, has not been researched extensively whilst creativity is seen as a prerequisite throughout the design process. This paper draws on the creativity, design and virtuality literatures and develops a model that sets the research boundaries and pinpoints some of the knowledge gaps. Specific research directions and questions are also presented based on the review

Qualitative Individual Reports with Global Virtual Team Participants, 2019

The collection includes a total of 274 individual qualitative reports reflecting on each participant's experience of having worked in a global virtual team (GVT) environment through their participation in the VIBu 2019 project. 204 participants — organised in 16 GVTs, dispersed between Austria, Finland, the UK and the USA — took part. Participants were asked to complete two individual reports; one after each VIBu simulation day. Of the 204 participants, 164 submitted a report after the first simulation day, and 110 after the second one. Therefore, a total of 274 reports were collected. Reports were on average two pages long each. Due to confidentiality promised during the data collection process the data cannot be archived."Virtual Teams in International Business" (VIBu) is a global online business simulation that joins international learners in a synchronous, shared business operations environment. VIBu forms an international learning experience and is organised by the University of Turku, Finland in collaboration with other Universities around the world with the aim of training participants on how to work effectively in Global Virtual Team (GVT) environments. It involves two full simulation days where globally dispersed participants have to work together synchronously. In 2019, we asked participants to write reflective reports twice during the VIBu simulation in order to collect data that would enable us to study how GVTs are led with an emphasis on how GVT members and leaders react when some members switch teams during the GVT lifecycle. Therefore, of the 204 participants we surprised 28 of them by unexpectedly asking them to switch teams half-way through the simulation. The first set of reports were written before the switch (after the first simulation day), and the second set after the switch (on completion of the entire simulation), so that participants could reflect on it and share their experience.</p

Interviews with MedicineAfrica Participants in Somaliland: Primarily Medical Students, 2020

Our dataset includes 30 semi-structured interviews with Somaliland-based participants. They were conducted online in 2020 and involved three groups of participants: 24 medical students, 3 nursing students, and 3 qualified clinicians. Participants studied for MedicineAfrica courses as part of their degree at a local institution in Somaliland.This project aims to explore the role digital health platforms play in improving clinical work and healthcare in developing countries. We focus on MedicineAfrica—a digital health platform that enables UK-based clinicians (tutors) to teach online medical students and clinicians (tutees) based in post-conflict regions with weak health services. We propose a multimethod research study involving interviews with local tutees in Somaliland, where MedicineAfrica has extensive activity and an established user base, and netnography for which MedicineAfrica have granted us access. We aim to (a) explore tutees’ learning experience of the use of MedicineAfrica; (b) assess MedicineAfrica’s wider impact on clinical work, medical knowledge and healthcare delivery in the Somaliland context; and (c) produce actionable recommendations as to how online medical education can help to build capacity in developing countries. The study is of value to a multidisciplinary audience involving social and medical scientists, healthcare providers and platform directors.</p

Can a virtual design environment enhance group creativity and the use of stimuli?

It is a common perception that creativity for design is best performed in a collaborative, group environment. Group idea generation and brainstorm sessions are of widespread practice across industries. This technique remains popular despite numerous studies highlighting the inefficiencies of generating idea in such a fashion. This paper puts together three ways of improving the group brainstorming session; working in nominal groups, using stimuli and working in a virtual team. The final sections sets out recommendations for a future virtual design environment capable of supporting group brainstorming

Interviews with MedicineAfrica Participants in Somaliland: Primarily Qualified Clinicians, 2021

Interviews were conducted between May and July 2021 with Somaliland-based qualified clinicians who enrolled in a MedicineAfrica-led, three-week Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course that was set up on Covid-19 prevention and treatment. In total, we interviewed 30 participants (27 Somaliland-based qualified clinicians, 2 local coordinators and MedicineAfrica's Director). Interviews were conducted in either English or Somali depending on each participant's level of fluency in English