Knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual teams – results of empirical research

Abstract

Purpose: Working in virtual teams and realizing projects through ICT tools has become the usual way of collaboration, especially across knowledge workers. Therefore this paper has two research objectives. The first objective is to verify to what extent the virtuality level is correlated with knowledge sharing behaviors. The second objective is to verify to what extent methods of management projects are correlated with knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual teams. Methodology: To achieve research objectives empirical research was conducted. Based on the previous research, the online survey was designed. The survey was filled out by 336 members of virtual teams. They worked using ICT tools and realize technology projects in the IT industry. Collected data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Imago Pro to test hypotheses. Findings: The correlation between the level of virtuality and knowledge sharing behaviors did not confirm. The hypothesis that methods of project management are correlated with knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual teams was partly supported. Research limitations: Research was conducted in technology teams in the IT industry. Virtual team members only from European companies have taken part in the research. Practical implications: Results can be useful to manage virtual teams not according to overall beliefs but scientific evidence. Based on the results it is possible to identify which variables for knowledge sharing behaviors in virtual teams are significant and which are not. Originality/value: Only a few studies have explored knowledge sharing in a virtual context. This paper supports scientific evidence of the level of virtuality and methods of managing projects concerning knowledge sharing behaviors as not discovered in earlier research. Keywords: virtual teams, knowledge sharing behaviors, project management, virtual management, post-COVID era.