Background: The persistent Covid-19 pandemic tremendously challenged existing work teams as it drove spatial dispersion among colleagues and greater dependence on virtual communication tools. Consequently, teams were required to adapt proven communication practices that mediate the exchange of social information and the perception of proximity to teammates. Aim: We aim to broaden team studies’ theoretical understanding of communication behavior and proximity in the light of contextual changes by developing an empathic understanding of the contemporary phenomena. This entails identifying arisen communication behavior patterns and assessing the impact of behavioral changes on team members’ perception of proximity. Methodology: By conducting a qualitative case study, we investigated three teams of a medium-sized German fashion corporation. The iterative data collection entailed six semi-structured interviews with individuals and focus groups and complementary quantitative surveys. Findings: We posit that sudden spatial dispersion of familiar teams does not inevitable lead to greater perceived distance, but that a team’s ability to appropriate technology, so social needs are met, is decisive. Further, the new communication practices of all teams were found to maintain high levels of synchronicity and social informational value. Yet, communication quality and social exchange was partially hampered by reduced spontaneity, greater passiveness, and a loss of humor. This was found to be strongly influenced by team members’ attitudes towards used technology.

This diploma thesis deals with two assumptions - the necessity of physiological and material aspects for human life - Food and Shelter. It is an immersive installation, which is created through the formal deconstruction of architecture and food. The artwork has the ambition to reflect a certain form of everydayness, in relation to the existence of the individual.

The influence of leadership on team success has been noted extensively in research and practice. However, as organizations move to flatter team based structures with workers communicating virtually across space and time, our conceptualization of team leadership must change to meet these new workplace demands. Given this need, the current study aims to begin untangling the effects of distribution and virtuality on team leadership structure and subsequent team outcomes that may be affected by differences in conceptualizing such structures. Specifically, the goals of this study were threefold. First, this study investigated how the physical distribution of members may impact perceptions of team leadership structure, depending on virtual tool type utilized for communicating. Second, this study explored how different indices of team leadership structure may have different influences on team outcomes, specifically in terms of conceptualizing the degree to which multiple members are perceived as collectively enacting particular leadership behaviors via a network density metric, and conceptualizing team leadership in regards to the specialization of members into particular behavioral roles, as captured via role distance and role variety indices. Finally, this study expanded on current research regarding team leadership structure by examining how the collective enactment of particular leadership (i.e., structuring/planning, problem solving, supporting social climate) behaviors may facilitate specific teamwork processes (i.e., transition, action, interpersonal), leading to enhanced team performance, as well as how leadership role specialization may impact overall teamwork and team performance. Findings from a laboratory study of 188 teams participating in a simulated decision making task reveal a significant interaction for the influences of physical distribution and iv virtuality on perceptions of leadership structure, such that less distributed teams (i.e., those with fewer isolated members) were more likely to perceive their distributed members as participating in the collective enactment of necessary leadership responsibilities when communicating via richer media (i.e., videoconferencing, teleconferencing) than less rich media (i.e., instant messaging). However, virtuality and distribution did not impact the degree to which members were perceived as specializing in a particular leadership role, or the overall variety of leadership roles being performed. In terms of team outcomes, the perceived collective enactment of leadership emanating from distributed team members significantly predicted teamwork, while the perceived collective leadership of collocated members did not have a significant impact. Specifically, greater distributed team member involvement in the collective enactment of structuring/planning leadership positively impacted team transition processes, while the collective enactment of supporting the social climate positively predicted team interpersonal processes. Although the relationship between perceived leadership role specialization, in terms of role distance and role variety, and team performance was mediated by overall teamwork processes as expected, leadership role specialization had a negative impact on overall teamwork. Finally, while team action processes did not serve to mediate the relationship between perceived problem solving network density and team performance, team transition processes mediated the relationships between the collective enactment of structuring/planning for distributed members and team performance. The collective enactment of supporting the social climate by distributed team members and its relationship to team performance was also mediated by interpersonal teamwork processes. Together, these results reveal the importance in considering context, specifically virtuality and physical distribution, when designing, developing v and maintaining effective team leadership, teamwork, and team performance. Furthermore, they provide unique insight regarding how different configurations of leadership may be possible in teams. Study limitations, practical implications, and recommendations for future research and practice are further discussed.

No description available.

Digitalisation is one of the greatest transformations in modern times and has impacted organisations, industry structures and the society as a whole. It provides new opportunities for fashion firms to interact with different stakeholders and has altered the way firms operate in foreign markets. Based on in-depth interviews with managers of Swedish high-end fashion firms, the aim of the study was to explore what impact digitalisation has on managers’ perceived psychic distance in their international operations. In particular, how managers use digital technologies to obtain and interpret information about supply and demand conditions in foreign markets was examined. The empirical findings indicate that digital technologies are essential for firms today, as they have increased information availability, enhanced information usage and improved interactive communication. This, in turn, leads to a reduction of managers’ perceived psychic distance.

Dans un contexte où le monde du travail s’internationalise et où l’innovation est fondamentale, les organisations d’aujourd’hui doivent structurer le travail en tenant compte des distances géographiques et du besoin de bien performer dans les tâches reliées aux différents projets. Toutefois, le recours à des projets innovants et l’accès à des moyens de communication ne sont pas des conditions suffisantes pour assurer une performance adéquate. Différents facteurs, comme les compétences adaptées au travail virtuel et le degré de virtualité qui sépare les gens, doivent être pris en compte pour favoriser l’atteinte d’une bonne performance. De plus, afin de sélectionner les candidats qui seront en mesure de bien performer dans ce contexte, le recours à des outils d’évaluation appropriés et disponibles dans plusieurs langues est essentiel. Cette thèse présente en premier lieu un processus de traduction, d’adaptation et de validation en français et en anglais d’un outil en allemand visant l’évaluation des compétences requises lorsque le travail est organisé en mode distribué. Un premier article présente les limites fréquemment observées dans les études qui effectuent de telles adaptations. Un deuxième article met ensuite en lumière l’importance relative d’un ensemble de compétences liées à deux types de performances individuelles appropriées au travail en projet virtuel. Les résultats montrent que la créativité, l’autonomie, l’intégrité, la loyauté et la minutie sont directement liées à la performance proactive. Il est cependant nécessaire de prendre en compte l’effet positif de la perception de collaboration et l’effet négatif du degré de virtualité pour comprendre comment les compétences que constituent la motivation à apprendre, l’autonomie, l’intégrité, la loyauté et la minutie agissent sur la performance adaptative. En somme, cette thèse propose d’abord un processus rigoureux permettant l’adaptation, la traduction et la validation d’outils dans plusieurs langues. Ce processus permet d’éviter les limites auxquelles se buteraient des méthodes plus simples dans un contexte international où il est primordial d’avoir une très grande confiance en l’équivalence des instruments. Cette thèse représente également un avancement intéressant en ce qui a trait à la compréhension des différents déterminants de la performance individuelle lorsque le travail est organisé en projets virtuels. Des recommandations sont présentées afin de favoriser la performance individuelle, et des pistes de recherches futures sont également amenées pour continuer à approfondir les connaissances sur le sujet. / In a context where workplaces are becoming more internationalized, and where innovation is critical, today's organizations must structure jobs by taking into account geographical distance and the need to perform well in tasks related to different projects. However, innovative projects and access to communication tools are not sufficient conditions to ensure adequate performance. Various factors, such as skills relevant to teleworking and the degree of virtuality that separates people must be factored in to achieve good performance. Furthermore, in order to select candidates who will be able to perform well in this context, the use of appropriate and available assessment tools in several languages is essential. First, this thesis presents a process of translation, adaptation and validation in French and English of a German questionnaire used for the assessment of skills when work is organized in a distributed mode. The first article address limitations that characterize studies that perform such adaptations. A second article then highlights the relative importance of a set of competencies related to two types of individual performance suitable for projects in virtual mode. Results show that creativity, independence, integrity, loyalty and conscientiousness are directly related to proactive performance. However, it is necessary to take into account the positive effect of the perception of collaboration and the negative effect of the degree of virtuality to understand how competencies such as learning motivation, independence, integrity, loyalty and conscientiousness affect adaptive performance. In sum, this thesis first proposes a rigorous process to adapt, translate, and validate instruments in several languages. This process helps avoid common limitations simpler methods are prone to and is better adapted to an international context where it is essential to have great confidence in the equivalences of the instruments. This thesis is also an interesting advancement in regard to understanding the various determinants of individual performance when work is organized in virtual projects. Recommendations are given to foster individual performance, and suggestions for future research are also presented in order to further deepen knowledge on the subject.

Dans un contexte où le monde du travail s’internationalise et où l’innovation est fondamentale, les organisations d’aujourd’hui doivent structurer le travail en tenant compte des distances géographiques et du besoin de bien performer dans les tâches reliées aux différents projets. Toutefois, le recours à des projets innovants et l’accès à des moyens de communication ne sont pas des conditions suffisantes pour assurer une performance adéquate. Différents facteurs, comme les compétences adaptées au travail virtuel et le degré de virtualité qui sépare les gens, doivent être pris en compte pour favoriser l’atteinte d’une bonne performance. De plus, afin de sélectionner les candidats qui seront en mesure de bien performer dans ce contexte, le recours à des outils d’évaluation appropriés et disponibles dans plusieurs langues est essentiel. Cette thèse présente en premier lieu un processus de traduction, d’adaptation et de validation en français et en anglais d’un outil en allemand visant l’évaluation des compétences requises lorsque le travail est organisé en mode distribué. Un premier article présente les limites fréquemment observées dans les études qui effectuent de telles adaptations. Un deuxième article met ensuite en lumière l’importance relative d’un ensemble de compétences liées à deux types de performances individuelles appropriées au travail en projet virtuel. Les résultats montrent que la créativité, l’autonomie, l’intégrité, la loyauté et la minutie sont directement liées à la performance proactive. Il est cependant nécessaire de prendre en compte l’effet positif de la perception de collaboration et l’effet négatif du degré de virtualité pour comprendre comment les compétences que constituent la motivation à apprendre, l’autonomie, l’intégrité, la loyauté et la minutie agissent sur la performance adaptative. En somme, cette thèse propose d’abord un processus rigoureux permettant l’adaptation, la traduction et la validation d’outils dans plusieurs langues. Ce processus permet d’éviter les limites auxquelles se buteraient des méthodes plus simples dans un contexte international où il est primordial d’avoir une très grande confiance en l’équivalence des instruments. Cette thèse représente également un avancement intéressant en ce qui a trait à la compréhension des différents déterminants de la performance individuelle lorsque le travail est organisé en projets virtuels. Des recommandations sont présentées afin de favoriser la performance individuelle, et des pistes de recherches futures sont également amenées pour continuer à approfondir les connaissances sur le sujet. / In a context where workplaces are becoming more internationalized, and where innovation is critical, today's organizations must structure jobs by taking into account geographical distance and the need to perform well in tasks related to different projects. However, innovative projects and access to communication tools are not sufficient conditions to ensure adequate performance. Various factors, such as skills relevant to teleworking and the degree of virtuality that separates people must be factored in to achieve good performance. Furthermore, in order to select candidates who will be able to perform well in this context, the use of appropriate and available assessment tools in several languages is essential. First, this thesis presents a process of translation, adaptation and validation in French and English of a German questionnaire used for the assessment of skills when work is organized in a distributed mode. The first article address limitations that characterize studies that perform such adaptations. A second article then highlights the relative importance of a set of competencies related to two types of individual performance suitable for projects in virtual mode. Results show that creativity, independence, integrity, loyalty and conscientiousness are directly related to proactive performance. However, it is necessary to take into account the positive effect of the perception of collaboration and the negative effect of the degree of virtuality to understand how competencies such as learning motivation, independence, integrity, loyalty and conscientiousness affect adaptive performance. In sum, this thesis first proposes a rigorous process to adapt, translate, and validate instruments in several languages. This process helps avoid common limitations simpler methods are prone to and is better adapted to an international context where it is essential to have great confidence in the equivalences of the instruments. This thesis is also an interesting advancement in regard to understanding the various determinants of individual performance when work is organized in virtual projects. Recommendations are given to foster individual performance, and suggestions for future research are also presented in order to further deepen knowledge on the subject.

Due to strong growth in the virtual business environment, online internationalization has become a topic of high interest. This makes it necessary for firms providing software online to carefully investigate and understand barriers and differences in countries before entering them. Further, companies expanding abroad face a variety of differences compared to their home market, which has to be carefully understood in order to succeed internationally and to avoid misinterpretations. This thesis took a qualitative approach and was based on six semi-structured interviews with open-ended questions, all performed with CEOs, founders or managers with explicit knowledge in the online internationalization phase of their firms. The insights from the interviews acknowledge which differences and barriers the firms faced and how they perceived them. The outline and result of the study were based on the four dimensions of cultural, administrative, geographic and economic challenges. The result showed that the cultural and geographic dimensions were barely perceived as barriers by the firms, the administrative dimensions moderately, whereas the companies clearly perceived the economic dimensions as barriers in their internationalization processes. Additional findings of the study were the importance of cultural leadership, hierarchies & decision-making processes, high-density clusters and pricing strategies.

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-09-27T14:12:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Geovane Paulo Sornberger_.pdf: 908102 bytes, checksum: 7aea2926f593a5e51f2cc7c80428c1bb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-27T14:12:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Geovane Paulo Sornberger_.pdf: 908102 bytes, checksum: 7aea2926f593a5e51f2cc7c80428c1bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-06-29 / Nenhuma / Este estudo analisou como ocorre o processo de institucionalização da governança em Comunidades Virtuais de Negócios (CVNs) para compreender como este é influenciado pela virtualidade. Para esse propósito, um framework foi elaborado, levando em conta a virtualidade presente nas CVNs e as dimensões estruturais e instrumentais da governança em relações interorganizacionais. O framework tem como base a teoria institucional, especificamente o modelo teórico desenvolvido por Tolbert e Zucker (1999), que subdivide o processo de institucionalização em estágios de habitualização, objetificação e sedimentação, e também as bases de legitimação abordadas por Scott (2008). A abordagem de pesquisa utilizada foi qualitativa, por meio do estudo de dois casos; dentre os quais, um deles foi desenvolvido sob a perspectiva longitudinal. Os casos são representados por duas CVNs criadas para atender o segmento de flores e plantas ornamentais, a saber: CN-Flores e a Comunidade Veiling Online. Os dados foram coletados por intermédio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, de observação não participante e de pesquisa documental, sendo analisados por meio da técnica análise de conteúdo. Os resultados principais indicam que a institucionalização da governança nas CVNs ocorre de forma diferenciada, tendo em vista o atual estágio de estruturação de cada arranjo interorganizacional que suporta as respectivas CVNs. Outros resultados envolvem a materialidade das interações advindas da virtualidade presente nas CVNs, cujos efeitos sobre o processo de institucionalização da governança são percebidos pela praticidade e agilidade nas transações e pelo seu potencial em formalizar decisões, normas e regras nas CVNs. / This study analyze how the process of institutionalization of governance in Virtual Business Communities (VBCs) to understand how it is influenced by the virtuality. For this reason, a framework was developed considering the virtuality present in the VBCs and the structural and instrumental dimensions of governance in interorganizational relationships. The framework is based on the institutional theory, specifically the theoretical model developed by Tolbert and Zucker (1999), which subdivides the Institutionalization process in steps of habitualization, objectification and sedimentation, and also on the foundations of legitimation proposed by Scott (2008). The research approach used was qualitative, with two case studies, one of them developed under the longitudinal perspective. The cases were represented by two VBCs created for the sector of flowers and ornamental plants, which are: CN-Flores and the Veiling Online Community. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and documentary research and analyzed through the content analysis technique. The main results obtained indicate that the institutionalization of governance in the VBCs occur differently, considering the present structured stage of each interorganizational arrangement, which offers support to the respective VBCs. Other results comply with the materiality of the interactions resulting from the virtuality present in the VBCs. The effects of the materiality of the interactions on institutionalization process of governance are perceived by the practicality and promptness during the transactions and their potential to draw up formal decisions, standards and regulations in the VBCs.

Aquesta tesi presenta un proposta teòrica per analitzar la ciutat i la seva transformació; d'una ciutat planificada, continguda en els seus murs, de pedra i de maó, lligada al temps i a l'espai a una ciutat desbocada i planetària, en xarxa, fragmentada, sense geografia ni història, infovirtual generada per les TIC. La tesi es divideix en tres grans blocs. Per una banda, en el primer bloc, es presenta la 'ciutat projectada' que recull la idea fonamental que la ciutat ha estat construïda tant amb els fils de !'instrumental físic com amb el de les idees. D'altra banda, un segon bloc, titulat la 'ciutat realitzada' on s'exposen algunes de les teories d'aproximació a la ciutat moderna i contemporània fent especial èmfasi en les teories de la ciutat lligades a l'espectacle i el consum. Per últim, el tercer bloc, gira al voltant de la noció de 'ciutat hiperrealitzada'; una ciutat infovirtual que accelera i emfasitza els atributs de la ciutat contemporània. La ciutat queda fragmentada a bocins mentre la línia entre realitat i il•lusió s'aprima. La ciutat hiperrealitzada és el reflex d'una nova manera de pensar. / Esta tesis presenta una propuesta teórica para analizar la ciudad y su transformación; de una ciudad planificada, contenida en sus muros, de piedra y de ladrillo, atada al tiempo y al espacio a una ciudad desbocada y planetaria, en red, fragmentada, sin geografía ni historia, infovirtual generada por las TIC. La tesis se divide en tres grandes bloques. Por un lado, en el primer bloque, se presenta la 'ciudad proyectada' que recoge la idea fundamental que la ciudad ha sido construida tanto con los hilos del instrumental físico como con el de las ideas. Por otro lado, un segundo bloque, titulado la 'ciudad realizada' en la cual se exponen algunas de las teorías que nos aproximan a la ciudad moderna y contemporánea remarcando muy especialmente las teorías sobre la ciudad vinculadas al espectáculo y al consumo. Por último, el tercer bloque, gira alrededor de la noción de 'ciudad hiperrealizada'; una ciudad infovirtual que acelera y acentúa los atributos de la ciudad contemporánea. La ciudad queda fragmentada en pedazos y aparece una nueva manera de pensar a tono con el pensamiento contemporáneo que adelgaza la línea entre realidad y la ilusión. / This thesis presents a theoretical framework for the analysis of the city in its transformation; from a planned city, contained within its walls, made of mortar and stone and settled in time and space, to an unbridled, planet-wide city, networked, fragmented, unbound from geography and history, infovirtual and ICT-generated. The thesis is divided in three sections. The first one introduces the "projected city", reviews the fundamental idea that a city is built with physical tools as much as it is built with ideas. The second section, titled the "realized city", puts forward some theories to approach the modern, contemporary city, making special emphasis in models that deal with the concepts of entertainment and consumerism in the city. The third and last section pertains to the "hyperrealized city"; an infovirtual city that speeds up and brings out all the qualities of the contemporary city. The city itself is shattered, and a new way of thinking about it is born, all while the line between reality and illusion gets ever thinner.