The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs

The 11th Asia Pacific Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Conference, December 2010

6 Pages Posted: 19 Dec 2010

See all articles by Nader Ale Ebrahim

Nader Ale Ebrahim

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973; Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM); University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM)

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 7, 2010

Abstract

The number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially those involved with research and development (R&D) programs and employed virtual teams to create the greatest competitive advantage from limited labor are increasing. Global and localized virtual R&D teams are believed to have a high potential for SMEs growth. Due to the fast growing complexity of the new product, coupled with new emerging opportunities of virtual teams, a collaborative approach is believed to be the future trend. This research explores the effectiveness of virtuality in SMEs virtual R&D teams. An online questionnaire emailed to Malaysian manufacturing SMEs and 74 usable questionnaires were received, representing a 20.8 percent return rate. To avoid the bias that may result from pre-suggested answer, a series of open-ended questions asked from expertise. This study based on analyzing an open-ended question; extract four main themes among expertise recommendations on the effectiveness of virtual teams for SMEs growth and performance. These are suitable for SMEs new product design manager to realize the key advantage and importance of virtual R&D teams in the process of NPD, which lead to increase the effectiveness of the new product's procedure.

Keywords: Virtual Teams, New Product Development, Survey Finding, Small and Medium Enterprises.

JEL Classification: Q32, Q31, M11, L15, L23, O14, M2, N6, O1, O31, O32, O4,Z

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim, Nader and Ahmed, Shamsuddin and Abdul Rashid, Salwa Hanim and Taha, Zahari, The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs (December 7, 2010). The 11th Asia Pacific Industrial Engineering and Management Systems Conference, December 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1728284

Nader Ale Ebrahim (Contact Author)

Research and Technology Department, Alzahra University, Vanak, Tehran, Iran, Postcode: 19938 93973 ( email )

Iran

Centre for Research Services, Institute of Management and Research Services (IPPP), University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
Malaysia

HOME PAGE: http://https://umresearch.um.edu.my/

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM) ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan 50603
University of Malaya (UM)
Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

University of Malaya (UM) - Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture ( email )

Kuala Lumpur, 50603
Malaysia

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering ( email )

Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang 26300
Malaysia

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