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

IEMS, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 109-114, June 2011

6 Pages Posted: 15 Jun 2011

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

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

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

Shamsuddin Ahmed

University of Malaya (UM)

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: April 12, 2011

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 high potential for the growth of SMEs. Due to the fast-growing complexity of new products 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. Online questionnaires were emailed to Malaysian manufacturing SMEs and 74 usable questionnaires were received, representing a 20.8 percent return rate. In order to avoid biases which may result from pre-suggested answers, a series of open-ended questions were retrieved from the experts. This study was focused on analyzing an open-ended question, whereby four main themes were extracted from the experts’ recommendations regarding the effectiveness of virtual teams for the growth and performance of SMEs. The findings of this study would be useful to product design managers of SMEs in order to realize the key advantages and significance of virtual R&D teams during the new product development (NPD) process. This in turn, leads to increased effectiveness in new product development's procedure.

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

JEL Classification: Q32, Q31, M12, M1, O32, O3, O1, M54, L1, L11, M54, P24, P42, L17

Suggested Citation

Ale Ebrahim, Nader and Abdul Rashid, Salwa Hanim and Ahmed, Shamsuddin and Taha, Zahari, The Effectiveness of Virtual R&D Teams in SMEs: Experiences of Malaysian SMEs (April 12, 2011). IEMS, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 109-114, June 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1804726

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

Salwa Hanim Abdul Rashid

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

Zahari Taha

University Malaysia Pahang - Department of Manufacturing Engineering ( email )

Gambang, Kuantan, Pahang 26300
Malaysia

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