This document summarizes a study on collaboration among geographically dispersed teams (GDT) in developing countries. The study aims to improve the quality and effectiveness of collaboration for people and organizations in developing regions with limited technology access. Initial interviews found that language barriers, technology problems, lack of training, and expensive collaboration tools challenge GDT collaboration. The researcher plans to further evaluate software, conduct cultural probes and interviews, test prototypes, and read more literature to address how design strategies and models can enable better virtual collaboration among distributed teams in developing areas.

1. A
study
of
collaboration
among
Geographically
Dispersed
Teams
(GDT)
in
developing
countries
Adriana Guzman Mercado
ADS 861 Thesis Research Seminar
MA. Design Management
University of Kansas
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2. “Lone genius is a myth; instead, it’s group genius that
generates breakthrough innovation. When we collaborate,
creativity unfolds across people; the sparks fly faster, and the
whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
Sawyer, R. K. (2008). Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration: BasicBooks.
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3. Research question
RS1. How might a Design Strategy improve virtual
collaboration among teams, companies and organizations
from developing regions?
RS2. How could a Design Model enable entrepreneurs as
well as private companies and public sector organizations
from less-developed countries to manage projects in
collaboration with people globally?
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4. Virtual teams / GDT / Distributed teams
A virtual team (VT) can be defined as a group of
individuals who work across time, space and
organizational boundaries with links strengthened
by webs of communication technology.
(Lipnack & Stamps, 1997).
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5. The project’s goal
Improve the quality
and effectiveness of
collaboration based
on the needs of
people and
organizations in this
context, particularly in
environments where
access to the best
technology is
limited.
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6. Expected results
1. Tools to improve the likelihood that virtual
teams in this context will be effective
2. Guidelines for selecting, adapting, and
using these technologies appropriately.
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7. Frameworks & Methods
Who are the people working
in these GDT teams?
Why do people in
Latin America How they connect and
collaborate with collaborate?
others? How they could do it?
Fig. 1 Adapted from the “Key components to building virtual teams: People, purpose and links”. Lipnack,
J., & Stamps, J. (2008). Virtual Teams: People Working Across Boundaries with Technology: Wiley.
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8. Initial interviews
Language represents a barrier
Constant problems with technology devices and
applications.
Lack of training on the use of tools.
The most used type of videoconferencing is room-
based video conferencing or pc based video
conferencing
Collaborative software and project management tools
are expensive.
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9. Evaluating
software
Cultural
probes
Interviews
Testing
More reading
Prototyping
What is next?
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10. References
Ale Ebrahim, N., Ahmed, S., & Taha, Z. (2009). Virtual R&D teams in small and medium enterprises: A literature review.
Scientific Research and Essays, 4(13), 1575-1590.
Boh, W. F., Ren, Y., Kiesler, S., & Bussjaeger, R. (2007). Expertise and Collaboration in the Geographically Dispersed
Organization. Organization Science, 18(4), 595-612. doi: 10.1287/orsc.1070.0263
Daim, T. U., Ha, A., Reutiman, S., Hughes, B., Pathak, U., Bynum, W., & Bhatla, A. (2012). Exploring the communication
breakdown in global virtual teams. International Journal of Project Management, 30(2), 199-212. doi: 10.1016/j.ijproman.
2011.06.004
Joshi, A., Lazarova, M. B., & Liao, H. (2009). Getting Everyone on Board: The Role of Inspirational Leadership in
Geographically Dispersed Teams. Organization Science, 20(1), 240-252. doi: 10.1287/Orsc.1080.0383
Lipnack, J., & Stamps, J. (1997). Virtual Teams: Reaching Across Space, Time, and Organizations with Technology: John
Wiley & Sons.
Sawyer, R. K. (2008). Group Genius: The Creative Power of Collaboration: BasicBooks.
Schwartz, T., Gomes, J., & D, C. M. C. P. (2010). The Way We're Working Isn't Working: The Four Forgotten Needs That
Energize Great Performance: Free Press.
Townsend, A. M., DeMarie, S. M., & Hendrickson, A. R. (1998). Virtual teams: Technology and the workplace of the future.
The Academy of Management Executive, 12(3), 17-29. doi: 10.5465/ame.1998.1109047
Vlaar, P. W. L., Fenema, P. C. v., & Tiwari, V. (2008). Cocreating understanding and value in distributed work: how members
of onsite and offshore vendor teams give, make, demand, and break sense. MIS Q., 32(2), 227-255.
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11. Thanks!
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