chapter 2

Diversity Challenges in Virtual Teams

As we discussed in Chapter 1, participation in virtual teams is an increasingly important phenomenon. The fact that technology makes connectivity and collaboration rather simple can lead to the mistaken assumption that people everywhere approach work in the same way. Diverse teams have the potential for greater conflict than teams in which members have similar background experiences and characteristics. Diversity can express itself in a variety of forms, including, age, gender, and culture, all of which impact the way individuals approach their work. While it can result in more creativity and greater problem-solving abilities, diversity can also complicate communication. Members of diverse teams ...

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