The course explores, and lets participants discuss their own experiences of, key areas for social interaction in global virtual team environments, for example teambuilding, negotiation of roles and deadlines, asynchronous and synchronous communication, navigation in different time zones and legal standards, feedback and criticism, and use and consequences of technology in and for team communication.

Theories and models are introduced to help students better understand common sources of, and discuss possible solutions to, problems in virtual international team environments, with a focus on communication as an aspect of global competence and technological tools for teamwork.

Group work

The overall aim of the course is to strengthen the global skills needed for efficient communication in global virtual team environments. After passing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Give an account of key properties of global virtual teams and their potential advantages and challenges
2. Connect core dimensions of global skills (knowledge, skills, attitudes and critical awareness) to virtual teamwork contexts
3. Discuss consequences and challenges connected to the role of English as a lingua franca in global virtual team environments
4. Give an account of pragmatic strategies for working appropriately and efficiently in a global virtual team, and for preventing or solving misunderstandings and communication problems

All literature can be found in the course room on Canvas or via links from there.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

P, F

• LEXA - Continuous Assessment, 2.0 credits, Grading scale: P, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Detailed grading criteria and assignments can be found in the course memo (kurs-PM)

A two-grade scale P/F is used, where P corresponds to Pass and F to Fail. To pass the course, active participation in all course meetings and passed assignments are required. 

One (1) missed meeting may, if need be, be compensated by a written in-depth assignment.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

• In group projects, all members are responsible for group's work.
• At examinations, each student should honestly report any help that has been received and sources that have been used.
• At oral examinations, each student should be able to give an account of the whole assignment and the whole solution.