Implementation and Use of Collaboration Technology in e-Learning: The Case of a Joint University-Corporate MBA

Bostrom, Robert P.; Kadlec, Chris; Thomas, Dominic

doi:10.1007/978-1-4471-0073-7_10

“…This again requires adequate training in both team and technology skills. E-collaboration technology can also play an important role in this, as collaborative tools for communication and information sharing constitute important elements of the rapidly growing market of e-learning products [25]. Use of internet-based e-learning services can make training programs more accessible for participants from different world regions, and may support the transfer of experiences and best practice related to global e-collaboration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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2005

IEEE Trans. Dependable and Secure Comput.

7

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Abstract-TheThe term GLOBAL E-COLLABORATION is defined here as the use of e-collaboration technologies for supporting collaboration among organizational members in two or more countries. In line with the general focus on globalization, the research on applied e-collaboration increasingly takes on an international or global perspective [5]. So far, most of this research has been centered on the global virtual team (GVT) as the most common way of structuring global e-collaboration [6]. In general, we are still in the early stages of gaining experience on how to effectively implement and use e-collaboration technology for supporting various forms of global work. There are frequent reports of problems and challenges related to the use of these technologies in nonglobal contexts [9]-[11]. When expanding the scope of the collaboration to a global context, involving several countries with potential cultural diversity, language differences, and varying IT proficiency, this entails additional challenges for successful utilization of e-collaboration technologies [6].To enhance our understanding of the potential challenges involved in applying e-collaboration technologies on a global scale, we need accounts of practical experiences from global projects of this nature. We contribute by presenting experiences and lessons learned from the implementation and use of e-collaboration technology in two large global organizations. Based on interviews with key personnel responsible for the implementation and use of e-collaboration technologies in these organizations, we highlight several potential challenges to global e-collaboration involving technical, organizational, and cultural issues, and discuss how these issues are related to different characteristics of global implementation contexts.The next section presents a brief overview of research related to global e-collaboration, followed by a

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“…In general, the studies of GVTs emphasize the importance of training team members upfront in all aspects related to the teamwork, including cultural training, teambuilding, communication and language skills, and use of different technologies [6], [24]. Norms for accepted team behavior and interaction need to be developed and communicated to the different members [24], for example, in the form of a team contract [25]. This should also focus on the temporal rhythm of the teamwork, including frequency and balance between face-to-face meetings (when possible) and distributed interaction supported by different communication media [26].…”

Section: Overview Of Related Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiences From Global E-Collaboration: ContextualInfluences on Technology Adoption and Use

Munkvold

¹

2005

IEEE Trans. Profess. Commun.

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Abstract-TheThe term GLOBAL E-COLLABORATION is defined here as the use of e-collaboration technologies for supporting collaboration among organizational members in two or more countries. In line with the general focus on globalization, the research on applied e-collaboration increasingly takes on an international or global perspective [5]. So far, most of this research has been centered on the global virtual team (GVT) as the most common way of structuring global e-collaboration [6]. In general, we are still in the early stages of gaining experience on how to effectively implement and use e-collaboration technology for supporting various forms of global work. There are frequent reports of problems and challenges related to the use of these technologies in nonglobal contexts [9]-[11]. When expanding the scope of the collaboration to a global context, involving several countries with potential cultural diversity, language differences, and varying IT proficiency, this entails additional challenges for successful utilization of e-collaboration technologies [6].To enhance our understanding of the potential challenges involved in applying e-collaboration technologies on a global scale, we need accounts of practical experiences from global projects of this nature. We contribute by presenting experiences and lessons learned from the implementation and use of e-collaboration technology in two large global organizations. Based on interviews with key personnel responsible for the implementation and use of e-collaboration technologies in these organizations, we highlight several potential challenges to global e-collaboration involving technical, organizational, and cultural issues, and discuss how these issues are related to different characteristics of global implementation contexts.The next section presents a brief overview of research related to global e-collaboration, followed by a

show abstract