Chapter 2Managing Space, Time, and Culture

Remember upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all.

—Alexander the Great

In the last chapter we introduced the three key variables affecting virtual teams: space, time, and culture. In this chapter we explain why these variables are so important and suggest some steps you can take to address the challenges that come from a lack of shared offices and common working hours.

The Three Key Variables Affecting Virtual Teams

Why are these variables of space, time, and culture important? Team members located together (shared space) who work the same schedule (shared time) and know how to work together (shared culture) have a significant advantage over virtual teams. In this setting, for example, there ...

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