A conceptual framework for member selection in Global Virtual Teams (GVTs)

Abstract

The use of Global Virtual Teams (GVTs) has experienced significant growth over the last two decades. GVTs have been achieving increasingly significant levels of attention within many sectors of the industry due to the considerable advantages they offer to organizations based on the evidences presented by many available studies. Notwithstanding, some inherent challenges are intertwined with the implementation of GVTs. The selection of members plays a vital role in success of GVTs specifically taking into account the collective effects of multiculturalism and the influences of technology as the main communication medium in these teams. However, there are very limited numbers of studies focusing on the foregoing matter. This paper builds all the discussions upon a comprehensive literature review accompanied by a critical analysis. The paper will contribute to the body of knowledge by collecting the results of seminal works within existing literature. Afterwards, the study merges the results of relevant studies together and presents a holistic approach to member selection while considering related factors. Conclusions of the paper include ascertaining the primary constructs affecting the procedure of member selection for GVTs, followed by presenting a conceptual framework for global virtual teams' member selection developed by the authors. © 2013 International Business Information Management Association.