en pl
en pl

Central European Management Journal

Show issue
Year 6/2024 
Volume 32 
Issue 2

COVID-induced virtual teams: A phenomenon-based framework and methodological advice for studying novel events

Jasmin Mahadevan
Tobias Reichert, Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany

Jakob Steinmann
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany and University of Southern Denmark, Sønderborg, Denmark

Annabelle Starkle
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany and Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark

Sven Metzler
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany and University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

Lisa Bacher
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany and HTW Berlin University of Applied Sciences, Berlin, Germany

Raphael Diehm
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany and Linnaeus University, Vaxjo, Sweden

Frederik Goroll
Hochschule Pforzheim, Pforzheim, Germany

6/2024 32 (2) Central European Management Journal

DOI 10.1108/CEMJ-12-2022-0244

Article contents

Abstract

Purpose – We conceptualized the novel phenomenon of COVID-induced virtual teams and its implications and provided researchers with the required information on how to conduct a phenomenon-based study for conceptualizing novel phenomena in relevant ways.
Design/methodology/approach – This article stems from phenomenon-based and, thus, theory-building and grounded qualitative research in the German industrial sector. We conducted 47 problem-centered interviews in two phases (February–July 2021 and February–July 2022) to understand how team members and team leaders experienced COVID-induced virtual teamwork and its subsequent developments.
Findings – Empirically, we found COVID-induced virtual teams to be characterized by a high relevance of shaping positive team dynamics via steering internal moderators; crisis is a novel external moderator and transformation becomes the key output factor to be leveraged. Work-from-home leads to specific configuration needs and interrelations between work-from-home and on-site introduce additional dynamics. Methodologically, the phenomenon-based approach is found to be highly suitable for studying the effects of such novel phenomena.
Research limitations/implications – This article is explorative. Thus, we advocate further research on related novel phenomena, such as post-COVID-hybrid and work-from-home teams. A model of how to encourage positive dynamics in post-COVID-hybrid teams is developed and lays the groundwork for further studies on post-COVID teamwork. Concerning methodology, researchers are provided with information on how to conduct phenomenon-based research on novel phenomena, such as the COVID-induced virtual teams that we studied.
Practical implications – Companies receive advice on how to encourage positive dynamics in post-COVID teamwork, e.g. on identifying best practices and resilient individuals.
Social implications – In a country such as Germany that faces labor shortages, our insights might facilitate better labor-market integration for those with care-work obligations and international workers.
Originality/value – We offer a first conceptualization of a relevant novel phenomenon, namely COVID-induced virtual teams. We exemplify the phenomenon-based approach as a suitable methodology that serves to build relevant theory using active categorization.

Full metadata record

Cite this record

APA style

Mahadevan, Jasmin & Steinmann, Jakob & Starkle, Annabelle & Metzler, Sven & Bacher, Lisa & Diehm, Raphael & Goroll, Frederik (2024). COVID-induced virtual teams: A phenomenon-based framework and methodological advice for studying novel events. (2024). COVID-induced virtual teams: A phenomenon-based framework and methodological advice for studying novel events. Central European Management Journal, 32(2), 262-283. https://doi.org/10.1108/CEMJ-12-2022-0244 (Original work published 6/2024AD)

MLA style

Mahadevan, Jasmin and Steinmann, Jakob and Starkle, Annabelle and Metzler, Sven and Bacher, Lisa and Diehm, Raphael and Goroll, Frederik. “Covid-Induced Virtual Teams: A Phenomenon-Based Framework And Methodological Advice For Studying Novel Events”. 6/2024AD. Central European Management Journal, vol. 32, no. 2, 2024, pp. 262-283.

Chicago style

Mahadevan, Jasmin and Steinmann, Jakob and Starkle, Annabelle and Metzler, Sven and Bacher, Lisa and Diehm, Raphael and Goroll, Frederik. “Covid-Induced Virtual Teams: A Phenomenon-Based Framework And Methodological Advice For Studying Novel Events”. Central European Management Journal, Central European Management Journal, 32, no. 2 (2024): 262-283. doi:10.1108/CEMJ-12-2022-0244.

Copyright info

copyright info

CC-BY

People also read: