Knowledge Creation in Virtual Teams

The paper aims to contribute to a better understanding of knowledge creation in a context not researched extensively so far, the virtual context. Claiming that knowledge is connected to the context in which is created, the paper argues that knowledge creation could be differentiated by the specific characteristics of virtuality. The process of knowledge creation is conceptualised using a theoretical framework. The notion of virtuality is discussed and juxtaposed with physicality. The central role of mediated interaction is identified as the primary mean of communicating and collaborating, which replaces face-to-face interaction. A systematic comparison between direct and mediated communication is offered to highlight the key issues that affect knowledge creation. The paper focuses on the organizational context of virtual teams to describe the specific characteristics of virtual teams in comparison with face-to-face teams with regards to knowledge creation. The basic contribution of the paper is that it addresses a key issue that organizations are facing today, knowledge creation in a virtual context.