Teams in Teleland: working effectively in geographically dispersed teams in the Asia Pacific

In the Asia Pacific, along with the rest of the world, there has been a rapid expansion in the use of geographically dispersed teams playing pivotal organizational and interorganizational roles. Yet our understanding of the conditions nurturing the task effectiveness of those teams is still embryonic. This article examines conceptual issues associated with the impact of culture, geography and technology in those teams in the Asia Pacific. It identifies the pivotal role played by “a sense of presence” (the feeling of “being there” with team members in different places and often different times) in both the effectiveness of, and satisfaction in, the use of such teams. Current research designed to explore these issues in teams in business and education in the region is described.