Organizational Behaviors Information and Communication Technology

Question: Discuss about theOrganizational Behaviorsfor Information and Communication Technology. Answer: Introduction Two types of conflicts generally arise in workplaces which are interpersonal conflict and task related conflict. In case of virtual teams, task connected conflicts be apt to come up more often due to a more recurrent emphasis on individual work [1]. However, when interpersonal conflicts arise in virtual teams, it becomes extremely difficult to resolve it. Most of the conflicts in virtual teams result in long-standing negative feelings. Information technology is the best way to resolve such conflicts with in virtual teams. Information technology and related systems can play a major role in managing cultural conflicts in virtual team. Some strategies of managing cultural conflicts within a virtual team are hereby mentioned below [2]. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is capable of making international partnership possible. ICT can enhance intercultural interaction by delivering asynchronous technologies such as discussion forums [3]. It can help non-native team members to have more time to study a particular information and process. As a result, language error will be minimized. By implementing intranet, tools related to groupware and collaborative systems, information will be shared efficiently to all members of a virtual team. On the other hand, synchronous technologies can also be used such as video conferencing, teleconferencing and chat rooms which will facilitate real time communication. Virtual Negotiation System, also known as (VNS) is an online negotiation system based on collaborative negotiation strategies of Raider and Coleman. This system also helps to reduce conflict within virtual teams. On the other hand, temporal coordination technique is a method that can be implemented to arbitrate and direct timing and content of interaction in a virtual group [4]. There are some other ICT tools than can be implemented in order to reduce or eliminate cultural conflicts in a virtual team. Those tools are hereby mentioned in the table below. These tools are extremely helpful; however, they also have some disadvantages and drawbacks. Those are described below. Email mostly helps non-native English speaking people who can write and read English better than speak it. On the other hand, it also helps to deliver record related to communication which in turn helps to reduce misunderstanding [5]. Biggest disadvantage of this system is lack of swift response. In case of conversation forum, any information can be edited so that team members can gain latest news and knowledge which will decrease chances of conflict. Besides, this system is very helpful to manage team members from dissimilar language backgrounds [6]. It allows team members from different backgrounds to spend extra amount of time reading the information and understand what it states. Lack of rapid feedback is a major disadvantage of this system. Groupware ICT tool is tremendously significant as it helps to share information to mass audience. Besides, flexibility of this system can be gained by the help of other systems such as intranet, discussion forum and email [7]. One of major reasons of conflict within a virtual team is virtual communication. Team members cannot see expression of others. Therefore, sometimes as a result of confusion conflicts rise. In case of video conferencing team members can see facial terminology, gestures and other visual cues of. This system is way better than teleconferencing as it helps the members to put a face to the name. However, this system does not have the ability to fine tune and is unable to re-examine the messages. As a result, members from dissimilar language backgrounds face issues. Tele-conferencing was extremely useful before the introduction of video conferencing. It can help people to communicate sentiment easily [8]. It also helps to gain rapid feedback. However, members who are not fluent in a particular language cannot participate actively. Besides, in this system, team members will enter the discussion without seeing other people. Besides, they cannot pick visual cues that increase the chances of misinterpretations. That is why; nowadays, this communication tool is not used in most of the business organizations. Especially for virtual teams, this tool is absolutely outdated as it creates more problems. Nowadays, cultural diversity is seen in most of the business organization. The challenge is to manage this diversity efficiently and properly. Managing conflicts in virtual teams is more challenging and that is why; it is paramount to implement IT tools. ICT is such a tool that offers several systems that can assist. However, it is important to select a proper communication system to enhance the team work in a virtual team. Selecting irrelevant or less effective systems will not help the cause and will create more problems. References Alsharo M, Gregg D, Ramirez R. Virtual team effectiveness: The role of knowledge sharing and trust. Information Management. 2016 Nov 5. Ayoko OB, Konrad AM, Boyle MV. Online work: Managing conflict and emotions for performance in virtual teams. European Management Journal. 2012 Apr 30;30(2):156-74. Baruch Y, Lin CP. All for one, one for all: Coopetition and virtual team performance. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 2012 Jul 31;79(6):1155-68. Chang WL, Lee CY. Virtual team e?leadership: The effects of leadership style and conflict management mode on the online learning performance of students in a business?planning course. British Journal of Educational Technology. 2013 Nov 1;44(6):986-99. Holahan P, Mooney AC, Mayer RC, Finnerty Paul L. Virtuality and Media Synchronicity: Their Effects on Conflict in Virtual Teams. Howe School Research Paper. 2014(2014-27). 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