Technology in international business - Essay Example

If one tries to find out the huge impact of Web 2.0 on the social sphere, the search should start from the 2008 US presidential election. The election witnessed the use of social networking and YouTube for passing information and videos. In fact, President Obama even announced the vice presidential selection via text message. However, the question here is to analyse how the tool can be used to enhance cross-cultural team performance, for example, that of a virtual team. At this stage, it is easy to proceed if one knows the ‘Container Model of Learning (Knowledge Transfer) and Communication.

As Jin, Mason & Yim (n.d.) point out, according to the model, if A and B are two entities, and if A communicates its knowledge to B, both A and B get the knowledge that initially resided only with A. 1. One can undoubtedly say that Web 2.0 technologies can greatly enhance team work, especially when they are virtual teams, by enhancing collaboration and sharing of information. In fact, Web 2.0 helps teams to bring their core project management process online. At that stage, using social networking like Facebook makes the project process visible to all members of the team, irrespective of geographical area and time.

Additionally, there is Wiki where all team members can update the status of tasks as required. In addition, there is blogging to mention. It seems that Web 2.0 offers much more than what is required to have proper communication and collaboration in teams. Also, the benefit of using Social networking platforms like MySpace for interaction cannot be neglected. Such networks allow invisible human networks. If properly used, these networks can function as sources of expertise that can be made available whenever and wherever required.

As experts observe, communication is the main hurdle that hinders cross cultural communication most of the time. However, computer environments have offered a much greater possibility of communication, though there still are problems. Email, instant messenger, and chatting communication allow constant communication that was impossible earlier. In fact, many Web 2.0 tools can be used as communication tools. The list is long and vibrant, ranging from Blogs, Wikis, Flickr, podcasts, and videos. In addition are social networking sites like MySpace, and Facebook.

There are tools that facilitate person-to-person and group-to-group communication. Some of them are email, IM, text messaging, Google Groups, and Web conferencing (Thing 7. Web 2.0 communication tools). It seems that Web 2.0 opens up a whole new arena of interaction and cooperation in international organizations. For example, webcam enabled video conferencing allows instant face to face communication, though this will not be so interesting for non-English speaking countries. However, one cannot deny if it is claimed that collaborative blogs can help members communicate effectively, share views, and thus result in better team performance.

In addition, everyone knows how a wiki can be used to analyse controversial issues. It is very evident that it will be interesting to see how staff from various cultural backgrounds interact and reach better rapport. In addition, Google documents can be used to promote writing on the development of intercultural competencies, and this will help