Cultural Backgrounds Influencing Virtual Team Performance

Cultural Backgrounds Influencing Virtual Team Performance by Vyacheslav Lerner MS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2009 BS, Odessa State Food Technology Academy, Ukraine, 1999 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Abstract Virtual teams improve organizational performance and competitiveness because they reduce business travel and allow team members to work from anywhere, anytime, using the Internet to complete projects. Although researchers have identified benefits of using virtual teams, knowledge about how cultural backgrounds influence virtual team performance is limited. Illuminating this relationship may help leadership improve team performance. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of team members with different cultural backgrounds to understand their effect on team performance. The research questions were based on the conceptual framework of organizational cultural theories developed by Schein and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner. Interview questions were electronically distributed to a purposeful sample of 20 participants who worked on virtual teams and could describe their lived experiences. Data were collected, coded using open and axial techniques, and analyzed for themes and patterns. Key themes emerged such as cultural backgrounds, language barriers, communication, conflict, and use of information technology. Findings included techniques for improving communications, understanding different cultural backgrounds, and the satisfaction of team members. Implications for positive social change include an improved understanding among virtual team leaders regarding how different culturalVirtual teams improve organizational performance and competitiveness because they reduce business travel and allow team members to work from anywhere, anytime, using the Internet to complete projects. Although researchers have identified benefits of using virtual teams, knowledge about how cultural backgrounds influence virtual team performance is limited. Illuminating this relationship may help leadership improve team performance. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of team members with different cultural backgrounds to understand their effect on team performance. The research questions were based on the conceptual framework of organizational cultural theories developed by Schein and Trompenaars and Hampden-Turner. Interview questions were electronically distributed to a purposeful sample of 20 participants who worked on virtual teams and could describe their lived experiences. Data were collected, coded using open and axial techniques, and analyzed for themes and patterns. Key themes emerged such as cultural backgrounds, language barriers, communication, conflict, and use of information technology. Findings included techniques for improving communications, understanding different cultural backgrounds, and the satisfaction of team members. Implications for positive social change include an improved understanding among virtual team leaders regarding how different cultural backgrounds influence team performance. Results of this study may benefit organizations by helping them better manage the performance of multicultural virtual teams, thereby leading to improved product development and reduced costs associated with activities such as business travel and remote work. Cultural Backgrounds Influencing Virtual Team Performance by Vyacheslav Lerner MS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 2009 BS, Odessa State Food Technology Academy, Ukraine, 1999 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Dedication I would like to dedicate my dissertation to my family and friends who encourage me in my learning journey. Without your understanding and patience I would not be able to complete this study. Acknowledgments I would like to thank my committee members for their support and time they spent helping me with my dissertation. Special thanks go to committee members Dr. David Gould, Dr. Robert Kilmer, and Dr. Jim Bowman for their dedication, encouragement, and patience with me, and their outstanding support and leadership in the learning process. Additionally, I would like to thank my friend and coworker Peter Frost for supporting and motivating me through my journey and learning process. I would like to thank my parents (Susan and Semen), brother (Yevgeniy), wife (Marina), and daughter (Sofia) for their continuous patience and understanding. I would like to thank Dr. Samantha Kanta for help with NVivo analysis and Chapter 4.