Diversity in global virtual teams: A partnership development perspective

This study is an attempt to develop and test a comprehensive model for global virtual team (GVT) effectiveness based on development of collaborative partnership among diverse team members and the moderating role of collaborative technology and task. The conceptual model is based on traditional I-P-O framework for understanding GVT effectiveness. Team diversity in terms of surface level, functional, and deep level are treated as the central tenet of team inputs. Collaborative partnership elements are at the process level, moderated by task features and collaborative technology. At the outcome level, this study is more interested in GVT effectiveness as measured by team performance and individual team member satisfaction.; Results from a field survey of 58 GVT in various industries indicate three levels of diversity and confirm the moderating role of task interdependence and collaborative technology. Results do not confirm the moderating role of task complexity on the relationship between diversity and collaborative partnership. Results also confirm mediating role of collaborative technology on the relationship between diversity and GVT effectiveness.