South Asian Journal of Management

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Managing Virtual Teams in Software Projects through Social Media:A Multi-case Approach


Affiliations
1 Department of Business Management, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura (West), Tripura, India
2 Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies Noida, Symbiosis International University (SIU) Pune, Plot No. 47 & 48, Block A, Sector 62, NOIDA-201301, Uttar Pradesh, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


The use of social media tools among the members of the software project deployment teams have evolved as one of the emerging disruptive technologies enhancing data sharing and reduces asynchronous communication thus replacing older brick and mortar information technology infrastructure gradually. The strength of the virtual workforce is continuously increasing where the projects are outsourced or the organization supporting work from home culture is garnering a favorable response in India as well. Robust software companies with a workforce spread across different offshore locations find it a task to establish a real-time communication window across teams and ensure committed delivery. This paper discusses the application of social media as an important communication tool over a collaborative platform in four top of the line software development companies with global presence highlighting the challenges pertaining to internal collaboration, seamless and low cost focused communication faced by the global online workforce and its subsequent solution leading to successful implementation. These companies have exemplified the use of social media as a low-cost strategic tool to manage the virtual teams deployed in the software development projects across different locations.

Keywords

Corporate Communication, Social Media, Virtual Teams, Software Project Management.
User
Subscription Login to verify subscription
Notifications
Font Size

  • Albert, S. R., & Fetzer, R. C. (2005). Smart community networks: self-directed team effectiveness in action. Team Performance Management: An International Journal, 11 (5/6), 144-156.

  • Andres, H. P., & Shipps, B. P. (2010). Team learning in technology-mediated distributed teams. Journal of Information Systems Education, 21 (2).

  • Broughton, A., Higgins, T., Hicks, B., & Cox, A. (2009). Workplaces and social networking: The implications for employment relations. Institute for Employment Studies, Brighton.

  • Bughin, J., Chui, M., & Kijek, S. (2017). Advanced social technologies and the future of collaboration survey. McKinsey Global Institute. Retrieved from https:// www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/digital-mckinsey/our-insights/advanced-social-technologies-and-the-future-of-collaboration

  • Burman S. & Shastri, S. (2013). Occupational stress and organizational commitment of employees in virtual and traditional teams: A comparative study. International Journal of Science and Research, 2(10), 100-106.

  • Cagiltay, K., Bichelmeyer, B., & Akilli, G. K. (2015). Working with multicultural virtual teams: critical factors for facilitation, satisfaction, and success. Smart Learning Environments, 2(11). doi: 10.1186/s40561-015-0018-7

  • Capgemini (2012). Yammer and Microsoft, Next steps after the acquisition. Retrieved from https://www.capgemini.com/2012/06/yammer-and-microsoft-next-steps-after-the-acquisition/

  • Carayannis, E. G. (1999). Fostering synergies between information technology and managerial and organizational cognition: The role of knowledge management. Technovation, 19(4), 219-231.

  • Carayannis, E. G. (Ed.). (2008). Innovation, technology, and knowledge management. Springer.

  • Culnan, M. J., McHugh, P. J., & Zubillaga, J. I. (2010). How large US companies can use Twitter and other social media to gain business value. MIS Quarterly Executive, 9(4), 243-259.

  • Dasgupta, S., Granger, M., & McGarry, N. (2002). User acceptance of e-collaboration technology: An extension of the technology acceptance model. Group Decision and Negotiation, 11(2), 87-100.

  • Dasgupta, S., Sarkis, J., & Talluri, S. (1999). Influence of information technology investment on firm productivity: a cross-sectional study. Logistics Information Management, 12(1/2), 120-129.

  • Evans, R. D., Gao, J. X., Martin, N., & Simmonds, C. (2015). Exploring the benefits of using Enterprise 2.0 tools to facilitate collaboration during product development. International Journal of Product Lifecycle Management, 8(3), 233-252.

  • Gaál, Z., Szabó, L., Obermayer-Kovács, N., & Csepregi, A. (2015). Exploring the role of social media in knowledge sharing. Electronic Journal of Knowledge Management, 13(3).

  • Gotta, M. (2012). Design considerations for enterprise social networks. Retrieved fromhttps://blogs.cisco.com/collaboration/design-considerations-for-enterprise-social-networks

  • Grässel, E., & Schirmer, B. (2006). The use of volunteers to support family carers of dementia patients: results of a prospective longitudinal study investigating expectations towards and experience with training and professional support. Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie, 39(3), 217-226.

  • Gulseçen, S., & Kubat, A. (2006). Teaching ICT to teacher candidates using PBL: A qualitative and quantitative evaluation. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 9(2), 96-106.

  • Hamann, P. M., Schiemann, F., Bellora, L., & Guenther, T. W. (2013). Exploring the dimensions of organizational performance: A construct validity study. Organizational Research Methods, 16(1), 67-87.

  • Hayward, P.A. & Belinda, P.S. (2010). Team learning in technology-mediated distributed teams. Journal of Information Systems Education, 21(2), 213-221.

  • Huddle (2018). Team document collaboration: The fastest way to boost your team’s productivity. Retrieved from https://www.huddle.com/solutions/team-document-collaboration/

  • India Brand Equity Foundation (2018). IT & ITeS Industry in India. Retrieved from https://www.ibef.org/industry/information-technology-india.aspx

  • KPMG (2010). KPMG Canada Survey. Retrieved from http://www.kpmg.com/nz/en/issuesandinsights/articlespublications/pages/project-management-survey-2010.aspx

  • Larson, E. W., & Gray, C. F. (2015). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge: PMBOK (®) Guide. Newtown, PA: Project Management Institute.

  • Li, C. (2015, April 7). Why no one uses the corporate social network. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from https://hbr.org/2015/04/why-no-one-uses-the-corporate-social-network

  • Lindoval Aragão Matos, J., & Pedro Lourenço, R. (2013). Use and acceptance of social software in corporate environments. Management Research: The Journal of the Iberoamerican Academy of Management, 11(3), 305-329.

  • Maes, J. D., & Weldy, T. G. (2018). Building Effective Virtual Teams: Expanding OD Research and Practice. Organization Development Journal, 36(3), 83.

  • Moore, M. (2018). Capgemini Research Institute Ranked number 1 for the quality of its research. Retrieved from https://www.capgemini.com/news/capgemini-research-institute-ranked-number-1-for-the-quality-of-its-research/

  • Mukherjee, D., & Natrajan, N. S. (2017). Comparative analysis of social media tool used in software projects deploying virtual teams. Vision: The journal of Business Perspective, 21(4), 397-409.

  • Mulholland, A. (2009). Yammer: Social Networking, Micro Blogging, or just a better way to work? Retrieved from https://www.capgemini.com/2009/03/yammer-social-networking-micro-blogging-or-just-a-better-way-to-work/

  • Naidu, P (2013). TCS Global Trend Report. Retrieved from lighthouseinsights.in/tcs-global-trend-social-media-report-in-2013.html

  • Nangoli, S., Ahimbisibwe, A., Namagembe, S., & Bashir, H. (2013). Social networks: A strategy for enhancing project-stakeholder commitment. Journal of Strategy and Management, 6(4), 399-410.

  • Nasir, M. H. N., & Sahibuddin, S. (2011). Critical success factors for software projects: A comparative study. Scientific Research and Essays, 6(10), 2174-2186.

  • Pathak, D., & Srivastava, S. (2017). Understanding the Role of Demographic Diversity on Mentoring and Job Satisfaction: A Study on Managers in Information Technology (IT) Industry in India. South Asian Journal of Management, 24(2).

  • Prasanna, R., Pituwala. S., & Kuruppu, G.N., (2012). Impact of decision making on project success in virtual software development projects in Sri Lanka. Paper presented at the Seventh International Research Conference on Management and Finance, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • Remidez, H., & Jones, N. B. (2012). Developing a model for social media in project management communications. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(3).

  • Robinson, V. (2010). HR’s role in promoting the use of Web 2.0 and social media technology in organizations. Strategic HR Review, 9(6), 33-34.

  • Schroeder, H. (2013). The art of business relationships through social media. Ivey Business Journal Online (March/April). Retrieved from https:// iveybusinessjournal.com/publication/the-art-of-business-relationships-through-social-media/

  • Shah, R (2016, January 24). Unlocking the river of knowledge collaboration at Accenture. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/rawnshah/2016/01/24/unblocking-the-river-of-knowledge-collaboration-at-accenture/#6351bfbe15f0

  • Shalika, P. K. K. (2014). Impact of decision making on project success in virtual software development projects in Sri Lanka: Evidence from large/medium and small software development organizations. Paper presented at the Seventh International Research Conference on Management and Finance, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

  • Sparrowe, R. T., Liden, R. C., Wayne, S. J., & Kraimer, M. L. (2001). Social networks and the performance of individuals and groups. Academy of Management Journal, 44(2), 316-325.

  • Starkie, S.(2013). Social media critical part of HR toolbox. Canadian HR Reporter, 26 (12), 16.

  • Storey, M. A., Singer, L., Cleary, B., Figueira Filho, F., & Zagalsky, A. (2014, May). The (r) evolution of social media in software engineering. In Proceedings of the on Future of Software Engineering, ACM, 100-116.

  • TCS (2011). Internal collaboration within enterprises drives greater benefits from public social media investments. TCS Global Trend Report. Retrieved from https:/ /www.tcs.com/internal-collaboration-enterprises-benefits-public-social-media-investments

  • TCS (2018). Mastering digital feedback. retrieved from https://sites.tcs.com/social-business-study/social-media-platforms/

  • Timuroglu, M. K., Naktiyok, A., & Kula, M. E. (2016). Strategic Thought and Learning Orientation. South Asian Journal of Management, 23(4), 7.

  • Van Osch, W., Steinfield, C. W., & Balogh, B. A. (2015, January). Enterprise social media: Challenges and opportunities for organizational communication and collaboration. In Proceedings of the 48th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences. IEEE, 763-772.

  • Widdowson, M. (2011). Case study research methodology. International Journal of Transaction Analysis Research, 2(1). doi:10.29044/v2i1p25

  • Wilson, A & Crawford, C (2014).Top social collaboration tool. Retrieved from https://www.accenture.com/.../Accenture/.../Accenture-Top-Social-Collaboration-Tool.

  • Wong, S. S., & Burton, R. M. (2000). Virtual teams: what are their characteristics, and impact on team performance? Computational & Mathematical Organization Theory, 6(4), 339-360.

  • Xue, Y., Sankar, C. S., & Mbarika, V. W. (2005). Information technology outsourcing and virtual team. Journal of Computer Information Systems, 45(2), 9-16.

  • Yin, R.K., (1984). Case study research: design and methods. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications Inc.


Abstract Views: 164

PDF Views: 0




  • Managing Virtual Teams in Software Projects through Social Media:A Multi-case Approach

Abstract Views: 164  |  PDF Views: 0

Authors

Debarshi Mukherjee
Department of Business Management, Tripura University (A Central University), Suryamaninagar-799022, Tripura (West), Tripura, India
Nidhi Shridhar Natrajan
Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies Noida, Symbiosis International University (SIU) Pune, Plot No. 47 & 48, Block A, Sector 62, NOIDA-201301, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract


The use of social media tools among the members of the software project deployment teams have evolved as one of the emerging disruptive technologies enhancing data sharing and reduces asynchronous communication thus replacing older brick and mortar information technology infrastructure gradually. The strength of the virtual workforce is continuously increasing where the projects are outsourced or the organization supporting work from home culture is garnering a favorable response in India as well. Robust software companies with a workforce spread across different offshore locations find it a task to establish a real-time communication window across teams and ensure committed delivery. This paper discusses the application of social media as an important communication tool over a collaborative platform in four top of the line software development companies with global presence highlighting the challenges pertaining to internal collaboration, seamless and low cost focused communication faced by the global online workforce and its subsequent solution leading to successful implementation. These companies have exemplified the use of social media as a low-cost strategic tool to manage the virtual teams deployed in the software development projects across different locations.

Keywords


Corporate Communication, Social Media, Virtual Teams, Software Project Management.

References