In today’s fast paced and complex global environment the need for successful collaboration is paramount. This has led to a proliferation of global teams across both for profit and non-profit multinational organizations. Such teams are usually comprised of culturally diverse members, who are often dispersed across geographic regions. Thus, global teams need to overcome not only the typical roadblocks to successful team performance (e.g., social loafing, interpersonal conflict, etc.) but to also navigate the challenges introduced by cultural differences, geographic distance, and often difficult task objectives. The main purpose of this course is to provide you with the needed tools and skills to create high performance global teams. We will cover topics such as affect and cognition in teams, team leadership, managing team diversity and conflict, and global virtual teams.

Upon successful completion of this course you will:
1. Be able to recognize the issues that impede performance in global teams.
2. Develop the skills needed for solving the challenges faced by global teams and for improving team performance.
3. Identify the issues you need to overcome in order to become a good team player.
4. Demonstrate improved qualitative research skills.
5. Demonstrate improved critical thinking and problem solving skills.
6. Improve communication skills necessary for effective team performance.

This course is comprised of lectures, in-class case analyses, a team research project, teamwork reflection, and a final in-class examination. This is a highly interactive course. Thus, students are expected to be fully engaged and participate in class discussions. The course is designed in such a way as to maximize your learning by balancing between lecture and your involvement in discussions, cases, and exercises. All course documents, assignments, lecture notes, etc. will be posted on the course website on Learn@WU.

Assessment will be based on both individual and team performance. Please note that successful in-class participation involves not only attending class but also frequently contributing to the discussion by answering questions, engaging in a thoughtful analysis of the discussed cases, building on other students’ ideas, and synthesizing across readings and discussions. You are expected to have read in advance all the required reading materials and cases and be prepared to discuss them in class. Regular attendance is a requirement to pass this course, you cannot be absent for more than 20% of the total course time.

Assignments with percent of total grade:
Written final exam (in-class, essay questions) 15%
Team research written report * (final grade partially depends on peer evaluations) 25%
Team research presentation * (final grade partially depends on peer evaluations) 20%
Teamwork diary/reflection * (completed individually by each student) 10%
In-class participation 30%


* More information on these assignments will be provided on the course website.
Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists:
Students must have completed a two-page reflection/summary of their experience as a member of a team. This can be any kind of team (i.e., work or university team) and does not need to be a global team. Please identify and reflect on a team experience that you consider as negative. Please bring a hard copy of your written reflection to our first class session. We will discuss these reflections in class. This assignment will be graded as part of your in-class participation grade.

Students must have completed a two-page reflection/summary of their experience as a member of a team. This can be any kind of team (i.e., work or university team) and does not need to be a global team. Please identify and reflect on a team experience that you consider as negative. Please bring a hard copy of your written reflection to our first class session. We will discuss these reflections in class. This assignment will be graded as part of your in-class participation grade

I will be available for in-person meetings by appointment, e-mail address: mihaela.dimitrova@wu.ac.at