The choice of research design has to be made from the aims and goals of the study (Flick, 2009), as the research design links the data to be collected and conclusions to be drawn to the initial research question. A number of criteria were considered to determine the research strategy and research design. First the degree of fit between research objectives, methodological choices available, and appropriate type of data required to meet the objectives were taken into consideration. Second it was important to look to previous studies that have examined similar questions. Last it was important to look at practical issues such as time constraints, available resources and in this study the possibility to come in contact with an adequate sample of respondents from virtual teams. For these reasons, a decision to employ
a multiple case study as a research design was taken. It is important to note that a
case study can be used to answer questions like “how” or “why” when the phenomenon to be study happens in a real-life context where the researcher has no or little possibility to control the events. Moreover, in a case study, a theoretical foundation is used as a template with which to compare the characteristics and empirical findings from the cases. Furthermore the theoretical propositions are founded in theory and linked to the research question (Yin, 2009).
The number of case replications depends on the certainty wanted to achieve and the richness of the underlying propositions (Yin, 2009). I chose to use multiple-cases to reveal theoretical similar results or contrasting results for further
predictable reasons (Yin, 2009). The fact that data are collected from four teams with employees from several organisations and countries allows me to contrast and compare the findings.
Social Network Analysis is a very powerful tool for building knowledge
maps and analysis knowledge flows within an organization. Hence, to push new frontiers of knowledge management, it is necessary to borrow and adapt new techniques from this discipline (Chan & Liebowitz, 2006). Accordingly, social network analyses were used as a tool to portray the social interaction ties and the quality of knowledge within the four virtual teams.
Participants: The selected cases should reflect the characteristics and
problems identified in the underlying propositions (Yin, 2009). Four virtual teams were selected as a foundation for the study, on the basis of their work across locational, temporal, and relational boundaries. All four cases are presented from a perspective that the virtual teams are relatively stable in membership. However the team members in focus also have membership in other teams, resulting in some respondents having contact with each other in ways not measured. Accordingly, the team members in all teams reported daily interaction with people from other virtual teams, as well as with collocated others, however the communication with persons outside the virtual teams in focus lies beyond the scope of this thesis. Collegial atmosphere among the team members suggested that the team members in all four teams would exchange knowledge freely, providing a sufficient communication base for study. It was also expected that team members in all four teams would maintain both work and social relationships through computer-mediated communications. All four teams had available a number of ways in which they could communicate with others in the group, including electronic mail, telephone, chat, desktop videoconferencing system, and other available ICT systems. In addition all team members had met at least once in a face-to-face scheduled meeting.
Team 1 is a virtual project team consisting of 16 participants, 13 men and
2 women from Norway and India. The respondents were working in six different companies as consultants on a project for implementing IT-systems in one of Norway’s largest banks.
Team 2 is a virtual team consisting of 7 participants, 3 men and 4 women
Team 3 is a virtual team consisting of 10 participants, 8 men and 2 women
located in Norway and Singapore. The respondents in Team 3 are working in leading positions for a large Norwegian company, which is a leading supplier of services related to oil, gas and renewable energy.
Team 4 is a virtual team consisting of 8 participants, 4 men and 4 women
from 7 different companies, located in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The respondents in Team 4 are working as country coordinators for large governmental projects that spend across the five countries.
Ethical Considerations: The study is approved by NSD - (Norsk
Sammfunnsvitenskapelig Datatjeneste) Data Protection Official for Research and fulfils strict requirements of confidentiality and storage of data. In accordance with the Personal Data Act’s recommendation for processing of personal data, all respondents had to sign a consent form (APPENDIX 1). The consent form clearly stated that participation in the study is voluntary. All information will be handled confidential, and all respondents will be anonymized this also applies to the company they are representing. The collected data will only be processed by the researcher and will not be accessible for any third party. The respondents may withdraw from the study at any time without stating any reason. The collected data will only be used in this master thesis, and all collected information will be deleted no later than 1. September 2012.