Benefits

With the rise of information and communication technology come cost reductions, better product quality, and more flexibility in the workplace (Arvanitis & Loukis, 2009, p.44). Global Virtual Teams allow companies to get the best available employees despite their location. According to Shachaf (2008) this leads to improved decision making because of the “multiple points of view, increased availability of knowledge and skills, and constructive conflict,” (p.135). With information and communication technology companies have a larger pool of skills due to better access of talent worldwide (Shachaf, 2008, p.131). This technology also helps cut back on “commuting, travel expenses, delays, and weather problems. . . which saves time and money on travel, leading to improved job performance and productivity,” (Anderson & Shane, 2002, p.2)

Within the workplace, firms have begun to use networking and communication technologies to aid faster, more effective communication amongst each other. Monitoring technology has help cut back on supervisors, therefore lowering labor costs (Arvanitis & Loukis, 2009, p.44). With instant messaging and intranet, people save time and many steps going back and forth within the building to transfer data or ask a question. Information is now shared with a click of a mouse taking only seconds.

Information and communication technology are greatly helping developing countries. “If information and communication technologies are used effectively, they can help to create a trained, educated, and healthy workforce that can build a vibrant and successful economy,” (Harvard, n.d., para. 4). Many cultural barriers are eliminated through the use of new communication technology. Computers can translate symbols and languages with simple software. Countries are able to overcome the isolation that they are faced with, information is easily accessed, and government laws and policies are easily communicated to citizens (Harvard, n.d., para. 6).