Building Virtual Teams

A critical evaluation of the contribution of trust to effective Technology Enhanced Learning in the workplace: A literature review

“…Furthermore Järvenpää and Leidner's () study of communication and trust in global teams shows that technology, through its lack of physical cues, can adversely affect the interpersonal aspects of team working, such as trust, warmth and attentiveness. Similarly Donath (), Kimble, Li and Barlow (), Wainfan and Davis (), Gignac (), Henttonen and Blomqvist () and Volchok () all observe that difficulties in building trust online may be due to the absence of cues that would be present in physical situations, with Volchok () also stressing that the expectations of individual team members are difficult to ascertain in the virtual environment. However, Volchok () maintains that these problems can be overcome in learning situations by using teams wisely, which he has done since 2002.…”

“…Birchall and Giambona () assert that the need for trust grows as students move through the phases of learning, but that it is the process of moving through these stages that allows both relationships and trust to grow. Like Ossiansson () and Volchok (), they believe that trust requires a student‐centric environment, rather than a trainer‐centric one, as the latter, with its assumption that students need constant supervision, does not encourage students to feel involved in the process.…”

“…This aligns with Meyerson, Weick and Kramer's () view that, in virtual teams, interaction increases trust and decreases ambiguity and uncertainty. Volchok () observes that the most successful teams tackle problems together and share responsibility not only for any problems arising, but also for successes achieved.…”