Introduction:

The business environment is becoming ever more global and, as a consequence, the workplace is changing. Hierarchical organisations are generally a thing of the past; structures are usually flatter and the people within them are often required to work cross-functionally and with people at other locations, rather than as part of one department based in the same office. Modern organisations present additional challenges to team work, including flexible and remote working, operating across time-zones and embracing different working and cultural practices. While diversity generally improves team working it does require team members to show more open-mindedness on the part of all concerned to find the best solutions. This chapter introduces you to the nature of teams within modern organisations and the difficulties associated with team working within different organisational structures.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the nature of teams within modern organisations and the difficulties associated with team working within different organisational structures

1.1 Explain what teams are and how the nature of teams has changed as the structure and nature of organisations have changed in recent years

1.2 Explain, using relevant concepts and theories, how teams form and become effective, the common pitfalls, and how effective working can be established

1.3 Identify the additional challenges and potential difficulties that teams face given the nature of modern organisations including virtual environments