| By: |
Ale Ebrahim, Nader;
Ahmed, Shamsuddin;
Abdul Rashid, Salwa Hanim;
Taha, Zahari |
| Abstract: |
This paper presents the results of empirical research conducted during March
to September 2009. The study focused on the influence of virtual research and
development (R&D) teams within Malaysian manufacturing small and medium sized
enterprises (SMEs). The specific objective of the study is better
understanding of the application of collaborative technologies in business, to
find the effective factors to assist SMEs to remain competitive in the future.
The paper stresses to find an answer for a question “Is there any relationship
between company size, Internet connection facility and virtuality?”. The
survey data shows SMEs are now technologically capable of performing the
virtual collaborative team, but the infrastructure usage is less. SMEs now
have the necessary technology to begin the implementation process of
collaboration tools to reduce research and development (R&D) time, costs and
increase productivity. So, the manager of R&D should take the potentials of
virtual teams into account. |
| Keywords: |
Small and medium enterprises; Collaborative tools; Questionnaires; Virtual teams |
| JEL: |
O32 O14 M11 O43 Z0 L23 L15 O31 M21 |
| Date: |
2010–11–11 |
| URL: |
http://d.repec.org/n?u=RePEc:pra:mprapa:29177&r=ict |