Effects of leadership behaviors and communication channels on global intra-team relationships: A qualitative phenomenological study

Globalization has required geographically dispersed virtual teams to develop new communication behaviors to foster successful teams. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to explore leadership behaviors and technology channels of communication that foster the development of trusted relationships and enhance communication within global virtual teams. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of 20 experienced IT global team nationals representing the United States, Germany, Rumania, France and South Africa. Six themes emerged from the data: Getting to know team members fosters the development of work relationships and intra-team communication project structure affects the development of work relationships and intra-team communications leader and follower behavioral patterns affect the development of trusted team intra-relationships open and timely communication fosters the development of trusted relationships effective global virtual teams develop a shared culture and misuse of technology raises barriers to communication and the development of work relationships. The implications of the research to leadership are that organizational leaders may gain a better understanding of when to use global teams and how best to staff the teams to support organizational work, and how to improve intra-team dynamics.