Loading...
Paper Number
1677
Paper Type
Completed
Description
Coping with work role transitions can be a major challenge for workers in globally distributed IT teams. Our case study extends the relational dialectics perspective to explore the discursive and material nature of work role tensions experienced by a local IT team in a globally distributed technology organization. Drawing from 18 in-depth interviews, we use thematic and contrapuntal analysis to explore the competing discourses onsite local IT managers and specialists expressed about their work role transitions with an offshore global IT headquarters. Our results show how an overarching autonomy versus control tension and three interrelated subtensions: flexibility versus standardization, strategic position versus compliant position, and empowerment advocacy versus bureaucratic dictates, animated meanings about their new work roles. Our study provides a cautionary note about potential work role tensions in globally distributed IT teams. Keywords: Case study; globally distributed IT teams; relational dialectics; work role tensions; resilience
Recommended Citation
Naidoo, Rennie and van der Merwe, Jean-Pierre, "Work Role Tensions in Globally Distributed IT Teams: A Cautionary Tale" (2021). ICIS 2021 Proceedings. 12.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2021/is_future_work/is_future_work/12
Work Role Tensions in Globally Distributed IT Teams: A Cautionary Tale
Coping with work role transitions can be a major challenge for workers in globally distributed IT teams. Our case study extends the relational dialectics perspective to explore the discursive and material nature of work role tensions experienced by a local IT team in a globally distributed technology organization. Drawing from 18 in-depth interviews, we use thematic and contrapuntal analysis to explore the competing discourses onsite local IT managers and specialists expressed about their work role transitions with an offshore global IT headquarters. Our results show how an overarching autonomy versus control tension and three interrelated subtensions: flexibility versus standardization, strategic position versus compliant position, and empowerment advocacy versus bureaucratic dictates, animated meanings about their new work roles. Our study provides a cautionary note about potential work role tensions in globally distributed IT teams. Keywords: Case study; globally distributed IT teams; relational dialectics; work role tensions; resilience
When commenting on articles, please be friendly, welcoming, respectful and abide by the AIS eLibrary Discussion Thread Code of Conduct posted here.
Comments
05-Work