The Leading Virtually Digest, December 27, 2008

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collaboration

What: ReadWriteWeb article about a report from Forterra Systems about virtual worlds being more effective than audio and web conferencing (also see related Business Wire release from Forterra Systems)
Posts it is related to: Wonderland: A Tool for Online Collaboration, Rethinking the Value of Virtual Worlds for Virtual Team Collaboration
Bottom line: Pilots with Forterra’s virtual world product OLIVE (On-Line Interactive Virtual Environment) conducted at Accenture and ACS indicate that virtual worlds may be both more engaging and less expensive to operate that audio and web conferencing systems. I believe this announcement is an early release of the findings and details of the study conducted by Forterra Systems. We encourage Forterra Systems to release additional details about the study, which would allow us to place an appropriate level of confidence in the results.

What: Yahoo hotjobs article that indicates rising demand for “off-shoring managers” and virtual world “simulation developers”
Posts it is related to: The Leading Virtually Digest, March 14, 2008
Bottom line: This article about cutting-edge careers that are viable now and are poised for growth indicates two that would be relevant to Leading Virtually readers: off-shoring managers and virtual world “simulation developers.” Increasing globalization is increasing the demand for managers who can oversee virtual team collaboration. Increasing demand for “simulation developers” is attributed to ever faster Internet connections that are helping entertainment, education, and training industries to incorporate full motion video simulations of exciting and, oftentimes, dangerous experiences.

What: Press release about new brain workout software to sharpen multitasking abilities and announcement of a survey to study the effects of multitasking (and other variables) in virtual teams
Posts it is related to: The Leading Virtually Digest, October 31, 2008
Bottom line: In a past digest post, we indicated that multitasking can lead to a great deal of stress and inefficiency. Now we have software from Brain Center America (BCA) that takes advantage of brain’s plasticity (i.e., its ability to change and map new neural pathways) to enhance 16 brain functions, including memory, speed, concentration and ability to recall faces, names, and information.  BCA claims that its software is considered to be the best-validated scientific tool available. In another related news, The Marengo Group has launched a survey to study the effects of multitasking and other variables in virtual teams. To participate, visit http://www.infotool-online.net/Brochure/en/login.asp (id: VT survey, password: team).

Article written by

Surinder Kahai is an Associate Professor of MIS and Fellow of the Center for Leadership Studies at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Binghamton. He has a B. Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (Bombay), an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Rutgers University, and a Ph.D. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan. Surinder has an active research program on leadership in virtual teams, computer-mediated communication and learning, collaboration in virtual worlds, CIO leadership, and IT alignment. His research has been published in several journals including Data Base for Advances in Information Systems, Decision Sciences, Group & Organization Management, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management Information Systems, Leadership Quarterly, and Personnel Psychology. He is currently serving on the editorial boards of Group and Organization Management, IEEE-TEM, and the International Journal of e-Collaboration. He co-edited a Special Issue of Organizational Dynamics on e-leadership and a Special Issue of International Journal of e-Collaboration on Virtual Team Leadership. Surinder has won numerous awards for his teaching, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Surinder has spoken on and consulted with several organizations in the U.S. and abroad on the topics of virtual team leadership, e-business, and IS-business alignment, and IS strategy and planning

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