Virtual Team Working and Associated Technologies within the UK Construction Industry

Virtual teams (VTs) are a relatively new approach to team working and management inspired by large companies expanding globally and the multinational nature of some construction projects. They are supported by information communication technologies (ICT) not previously available to traditional ‘distributed’ construction industry teams. The VT approach has been used successfully elsewhere, for example in the high-technology and professional services industries. The UK construction industry is frequently criticized for being too slow to adopt new technologies and methods of working. However, the process of introducing them varies between different industry sectors. The research methodology reported is that of using a questionnaire survey (both online and postal). Feedback illustrates confusion within the industry regarding the VT concept. Also, relatively few members of the industry are fully utilizing this approach. The consultant sector of the industry is identified as potentially achieving a leading role in the process of introducing and then developing a wider use of the VT approach. Those companies currently operating VTs are better placed to introduce innovative production technologies to the procurement process than their competitors and are in a position to lead the next wave of innovation in construction.