Study Guide

Objective

After completing the course, the student is able to:
· understand key factors of a successful virtual team
· lead the unique dynamics of a virtual team (for example ensure that distributed diversity is understood and appreciated)
· establish and maintain trust in virtual teams
· enable individual members of the virtual team to benefit from the team
· choose and use appropriate media for effective communication and collaboration in virtual teams.

Content

· Strategies for virtual teams
· Characteristics of high-performing virtual team
· Conflict management in virtual teams
· Diversity in virtual teams
· Trust in virtual teams · Media choice for communication

Materials

eBook (choose one)

a) Hoefling, T. (2017). Working virtually: Leading your organization and team, and advancing your personal career, in a mobile world (Second edition.). Sterling, Virginia: Stylus Publishing, LLC.

OR

c) Martinelli, R. J., Waddell, J. M. & Rahschulte, T. (2017). Projects without boundaries: Successfully leading teams and managing projects in a virtual world. Hoboken, New Jersey: Wiley.

+ scientific articles available in Finna

Teaching methods

The course is ONLY for Master´s students.
Course language is English (final output can be delivered also in Finnish)
This is an 100% online course and the course is planned to support both individual and collaborative learning and knowledge sharing and creation.
Individual learning will be reflected in private diaries. Collaborative learning will be realised through active dialogue within the study group in It´s Learning.
In the course design we have simulated a virtual environment where experts with different backgrounds are communicating to achieve a common understanding how to lead virtual teams (SECI-model).

Exam schedules

No exam

International connections

This course is realized totally online and learning is self-directed (no synchronous lectures or teaching). This means that your motivation and ability to take responsibility of your own learning is extremely important to be able to learn during this course.

However, voluntary-based video meetings (reception hours) with the teacher are offered to support your learning process when the course starts and in the middle of the course.
The course content will be accessible for you 25 JAN. 2022 in Itslearning and you will find all the instructions and support for the course there.
In addition, 1st FEB 2022 at 9:00 am a voluntary-based one hour video meeting to support the start of the course ((launching pre-assignments).
1st MAR there will be an online lecture/workshop at 9-10 am to give an over on the Virtual Team theories. (official start)

PROCESS:
Active participation in discussions in virtual platforms

OUPUT:
Collaborative assignment (Guide for leading virtual teams)
Individual assignment (analytic reflections of your own learning (theories + linkages to real working life)in form of a learning diary

Student workload

OUPUT:
Collaborative assignment (Guide for leading virtual teams)
Individual assignment (analytic reflections of your own learning (theories + linkages to real working life)in form of a learning diary

Content scheduling

01.02.2022 - 31.04.2022

• team stages (+ emotions)
• building trust in virtual teams
• self-leadership and autonomy of the team members
• communication in virtual teams (conflicts, giving feedback)
• choosing appropriate technology for communication processes
• understanding diversity in virtual teams (language, cultures, professional background)

Further information

Primary target Group YLIKES21

If you have taken a Knowledge management in virtual teams- course, then you cannot choose this course (learning objectives are almost the same)

week 8/holiday

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment methods and criteria

Both the learning process and output will be evaluated
- self-evaluation
- peer-evaluation
- teacher evaluation

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Assignments are not completed to an acceptable level
The minimum learning objectives are not met (see course description)

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Research, thinking, communication and reflection are acceptable
Appear to grasp theory and have made a start in showing its applicability

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

Research, thinking, communication and reflection are good
General understanding of theory and application in real-life context

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Mastery of theory and penetrating insights in real-life context
Outstanding research, thinking, communication and reflection

Qualifications

Basic business studies