EUR/RSM Master Thesis Research
Proposal
“Applying the concepts of Online
Collaboration and Virtual Teams to
delivering a Research Project through an
online platform”
Steven L.J. Twigge
193959
Business Administration Faculty: Management of Innovation
University Coach:
University Co-Reader:
Prof. Dr. Ing. T.W. Hardjono
Dr. P.C. van Fenema
(Information Management Faculty)
Rotterdam, 11th March 2004, Version 0.91
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
1
RSM Requirements for the Research Proposal .....................................2
Thesis Proposal Requirements according to RSM Master Thesis Manual ................ 2
A description of the field to which the subject relates ............................................... 2
Problem Formulation or Research Question .............................................................. 2
The relevancy of (answers to) the research question ................................................. 2
An indication of the theoretical approach .................................................................. 3
Research Methodology & Techniques ....................................................................... 3
Timetable ................................................................................................................... 3
Provisional Reading List ............................................................................................ 3
Research Context ......................................................................................4
Virtual Teams............................................................................................................. 4
Online Collaboration .................................................................................................. 4
Context Cases............................................................................................................. 5
Application to Research Project................................................................................. 5
Research Perspective ................................................................................6
Research Perspective ................................................................................................. 6
Research Framework ................................................................................................. 6
Preliminary Study ...................................................................................................... 6
Research Issue ...........................................................................................7
Research Questions .................................................................................................... 7
Research Resources ................................................................................................... 7
Timeline ..................................................................................................................... 7
Methodology ..............................................................................................8
Expert Interviews ....................................................................................................... 8
Platform Experiment .................................................................................................. 8
Online Questionnaire ................................................................................................. 8
Live Meeting .............................................................................................................. 8
Research Process - Tasks & Responsibilities ............................................................ 9
Process Visual .......................................................................................................... 10
Project Context........................................................................................11
Preliminary Study .................................................................................................... 11
Historical Roots ....................................................................................................... 11
Competences & Interests ......................................................................................... 11
Further Issues ........................................................................................................... 12
Research Visual .......................................................................................13
Definition of Concepts ............................................................................14
Research Project....................................................................................................... 14
Virtual Team ............................................................................................................ 14
Team Dynamics ....................................................................................................... 14
Online Collaboration ................................................................................................ 14
Online Platform ........................................................................................................ 14
Resources .................................................................................................15
Provisional Chapter Format ..................................................................16
Part 1: Context and Approach .................................................................................. 16
Part 2: Theoretical and Practical Research .............................................................. 16
Part 3: Research Results........................................................................................... 16
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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RSM Requirements for the Research Proposal
Thesis Proposal Requirements according to RSM Master
Thesis Manual
This proposal has been divided into two sections; first, a short overview of the
requirements as stated in the RSM Master Thesis manual. This is then followed by a
more extensive and detailed structure following Verschuren & Doorewaard (V&D,
1999), The V&D-structure has been chosen as the primary research structure.
A description of the field to which the subject relates
This research project focuses on delivering a master's thesis through an online
platform. Online collaboration and virtual teams are the main topics within this
research project.
Problem Formulation or Research Question
There is little evidence of application of the findings on research into introducing the
concepts of a virtual research team and online collaboration into the process of
delivering a knowledge rich product, such as a RSM Master's Thesis, through an
online platform.
This research project aims to look into this area and to produce insight into the
process of using an online collaboration platform for delivering a research project..
The Research Questions can be found in the following section “The Research Issue”.
The relevancy of (answers to) the research question
General: The knowledge produced by answering the research questions and fulfilling
the research objective will contribute to the academic world and to practioners with an
interest in virtual teams and online collaboration. The academic world will
particularly benefit in a practical sense from a possibility to enable effective
communication and coordination between professor and student during the delivery of
a research project.
Particular: This research will be of value to the participants and surrounding context
by contributing to the existing knowledge base and giving insight into current
development in online collaboration and virtual teams. The research institute (EUR)
benefits exactly in this manner. The persons involved (University & Private Readers)
enjoy an injection of knowledge when actively participating in the process of writing
and delivery. The author benefits from the experience of completing a considerable
research effort and building an extensive knowledge specialisation, of which only a
smaller part is represented in the research paper.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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An indication of the theoretical approach
Based on research into Virtual Teams and Online Collaboration, i.e. Jarvenpaa (1999)
and Maznevski (2000), and Adaptive Structuration Theory (Desanctis & Poole, 1994)
a framework will be created by which the Online Collaboration Platform used for this
project will be assessed for functionality and team support.
Topics such as High Performance Teams, Skunk Works and Group Dynamics will be
included in the development of the frame work
Research Methodology & Techniques
This research will include the following research concepts:
- Desk Research: to find the relevant and applicable theory
- Expert Interviews & Discussions
- Experiment (Developing the Online Collaboration Platform (OCP))
- Online Questionnaire: posted to field professionals
Timetable
- Desk Research
- Expert Interviews & Discussion
- Platform Experiment
- Online Questionnaire
(till 13 March)
(till 20 March)
(till 27 March)
(till 20 March)
- Live Meeting with Research Team
23 March
Provisional Reading List
Please refer to the Resources section.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Research Context
The Business Administration course at Erasmus University Rotterdam provides many
opportunities, some obligatory, some elective to work with fellow students in a caseorientated manner. An international exchange enhances the collaboration experience
by adding a deeper cross-cultural dimension. Company internships provide
introductory experience in organisational application of a project effort.
The 2002 Management of Innovation major provides toolbox skills in project based
management, quality control and innovation management theories. Combined with a
student's skills and experience this graduate package creates a good foundation for
innovation execution and implementation.
Virtual Teams
Case based education is used as a method of knowledge transfer between professor,
theory and student. These cases involve a lot of group work which aim to give
students experience in collaborating as a group and combining cross discipline
approaches. As the students communicate face-to-face and through Blackboard, (webbased) email and by telephone, they fit the profile of an effective virtual team
(Maznevski, 2000). Effective virtual teams combine regular, intense face-to-face
meetings with less intensive, shorter interaction incidents using various media into a
structured and temporal rhythm.
Online Collaboration
Since the beginning of the author's study of business administration, internet
technology has experienced an incredible pace of development. Not only students, but
a great part of the earth's population, have embraced concepts such as email, online
shopping and internet banking to become important elements of their lives. For
students, an internet-based application such as Blackboard, is an important means for
communication and information distribution.
Collaborating through the web offers advantages such as cost savings, faster
development and robust team organisation. These advantages are offset by costs and
risks following from i.e. a misfit in team configuration or technology infrastructure. It
forms an organisational challenge to balance these factors and reap the benefits. For
students, web-based collaboration can offer advantages in better project co-ordination
and increased communication between student and professor.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Context Cases
Input management and effort registration benefit from making interaction processes
more transparent and predictable. Interactions become more transparent when the
function is matched by form and medium. For example, a complex discussion is best
dealt with by a face-to-face interaction, whereas simpler information exchange can be
dealt with by email or publishing to a team-accessible webpage. Predictability is
induced by agreeing on communication protocols and deadlines. Discipline
(Meerbeek, 2001) and rhythm (Maznevski, 2000) help a virtual team. This goes a long
way in dealing with the 'free-rider' syndrome encountered frequently by many
students interacting on a case assignment.
Not only in education, but certainly in a corporate environment, teams can benefit
from better communication and co-ordination. Examples are:
-
(Case 1, 2003): a project team that could not get past their own boss with a
business proposal, because their idea did not fit departmental guidelines on
presentation and communication.
-
(Case 2, 2004): a project member that proposed and built a prototype
communication platform, but was then starved for content by his own project
team.
-
(Case 3, 2004): a project that was ready to handover and implement a new
product into the organisation, but after 6 months still did not know which
quantities where necessary for individual departments due to lack of internal
communication.
Application to Research Project
For this research project, the aim is to deliver a research paper according to the
institute's standards (RSM, 2003) through collaborating through an online platform.
Collaboration will occur between the author, university coaches and private coaches.
Input will also be generated by external specialists and an online questionnaire. The
final result will be delivered through the platform to the institution and the examiners.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Research Perspective
Research Perspective
The aim of this research is to develop a 'proof of concept' to gain experience and
insight into developing an online collaboration platform. The platform will be aimed
at delivering a master's thesis to the standards of Erasmus University Rotterdam.
The object of research will be the successful interaction of the author, two university
coaches, two private co-readers and possible third parties and delivery of the thesis
through an online platform. An important aspect is the research of team dependant
required platform functionality.
The research will follow the lines as set out by Verschuren & Doorewaard (1999) in
their Intervention Cycle of a "Design" and "Intervene" natured research. This
coincides with a double-option choice from two theory orientated and five practice
orientated research models, both options being focused on practical research rather
than theory. A design-model (DM) sets out to follow an applicable model to design a
solution for a certain situation. A intervention-orientated model (IM) follows the
above by focusing on executing through a process and a substantiated checklist. A
detailed implementation plan should be the result of the research effort.
Research Framework
Drawing upon literature study, case examples and author experience, the aim is to
arrive at a proof of concept of an online platform for knowledge-rich and
collaboration dependant service delivery. This is done by studying past researches and
developing relevant and appropriate functions for an online platform.
Several resources will be researched to develop an integrated framework for team
dynamics, application development and project management. An online collaboration
platform will then be developed to gain a proof-of-concept perspective. Then the
platform will be assessed for its relevance for defining team dependant functionality
for online collaboration platforms.
Preliminary Study
To develop the research perspective, relevant theoretical frameworks and
documentation were studied. Current experts in the field of study and relevant
expertise have been consulted. This will arrive at a setup for implementation of the
research project.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Research Issue
Research Questions
Central Question
Which benefits are feasible when applying the concepts of Virtual Teams and Online
Collaboration to delivering an RSM Thesis through an online platform?
Sub-Questions
Which underlying processes and types of Virtual Teams and Online Collaboration
apply to this research project?
Which team-dependant functionality can be developed on the basis of this research?
Which group dynamics can be tracked and managed through an Online Collaboration
Platform?
Research Resources
This research will be based on:
- Desk Research
- Expert Interviews & Discussions
- Experiment (Developing the Online Collaboration Platform (OCP))
- Online Questionnaire: posted to field professionals
Timeline
- Desk Research
- Expert Interviews & Discussion
- Platform Experiment
- Online Questionnaire
(till 13 March)
(till 20 March)
(till 27 March)
(till 20 March)
- Live Meeting with Research Team
23 March
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Methodology
Desk Research (Literature Research)
This part of the research project will focus on processing relevant literature and
creating an inventory of other resources and methods. The insights will be used to
create a framework for understanding the developments in the practical research
section of this project.
Topic List:
Adaptive Structuration Theory, Application Development, Community Theory,
Communication Theory, Conferencing, Decision Making Theory, Document
Management, E-Learning (Training, Development and Distant Learning),
Heavyweight Development Teams, High Performance Teams, Knowledge
Management, Online Collaboration, Platform & Modularity Theory, Portal, Project
Coordination, Project Management, Service Orientated Architecture, Skunk Works,
Team Building, Team Dynamics, Team Maturity, Team Roles, Virtual Teams,
Workflow Management.
Expert Interviews
These interviews will be held to create a notion of research specific accents to be
placed upon general findings from the desk research. This section will also contain a
team assessment of relevant team characteristics.
Platform Experiment
This section beholds the practical development of an Online Collaboration Platform
for the research project. Insights from the previous sections will lead to certain
functionalities to be developed and offered through an Internet web application.
Online Questionnaire
This questionnaire will be used to generate a foundation for assessing the level of
generalisation of the research's findings to a broader field of professionals. The
sample group will be extracted from members of the www.fullcirc.com related
discussion group and possibly people from the iCohere.com online conference (29-31
March 2005).
Live Meeting
This meeting will follow the recommended approach by Maznevski (2000), to
maintain a punctuated pattern of less intensive, short interaction incidents with deeper
intensity face-to-face meetings.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Research Process - Tasks & Responsibilities
Results from the preliminary study for developing a research perspective for Online
Collaboration and Virtual Teams lead to application to the research project team. The
research is conducted within a knowledge rich environment and based upon
interactive production of a research paper. The objective is to gain experience in
developing an online collaboration platform and insight into Virtual Research Team
Dynamics. The product of this research effort is to produce a research report
according to EUR/RSM Master Thesis Standards. The Research Team exists of 5
persons. Generally, there are a researcher, a university coach and a university coreader. For this project two private co-readers have been added to enhance the
collaboration experience.
A final person is added after the research paper is delivered to the EUR Central
Examination Bureau. This person is to check the Research Team for the validity of
their scientific process and findings in the research paper.
The Researcher conducts his research, based upon the problem definition and research
questions, with identified research resources. He processes his research and notifies
his team members about progress (content delivery) and findings. The validation team
responds to the notification by processing the material delivered to the online
collaboration platform. The researcher receives the notification and processes the
validation team’s feedback into his research efforts. The collaboration cycle then finds
a new impulse for continuing and strengthening the research effort. The researcher
continues the research and the validation team guards the project progress based on
their own knowledge and applicable guidelines.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Process Visual
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Project Context
Preliminary Study
Initial research reveals topics as Virtual Teams, Virtual Offices, Online Collaboration,
E-Learning and Knowledge Management as relevant concepts in available
management theory. It is the authors opinion and research aim to find that various
separate systems for project process control, document sharing and editing, (instant)
communication, groupware etc. exist, but that there is little available that offers an
integrative platform for an innovation execution team. Despite specific technological
advances in areas as mobile telecommunication and e-mail applications, an innovation
team is not offered an integrative approach for responding effectively to group
progress and dynamics.
Historical Roots
Business Administration at EUR is a broad study and offers several specialisations.
The author has chosen for Management of Innovation as his specialisation and also
participated in the CEMS-programme for International Management. The MI-Major
curriculum provides a good foundation for this research project. It is expected that
certain aspects may traverse into the area of Information Management. This is where
P.C. van Fenema provides a good guard to keeping the research project within the
appropriate bounds. T.W. Hardjono has the supervising role for guarding conceptual
and high level content.
The author and Hardjono have interacted before through the major course on Quality
Management and on a curriculum element similar to the Bachelor's Thesis
(leeronderzoek) on the Royal Netherlands Navy Landing Platform Dock. F. van
Koppenhagen and R. Hartman are close relatives to the author and have expressed
enthusiasm for contributing to this project. P.C. van Fenema is the newest member to
this group in terms of earlier interaction prior to this research project.
Competences & Interests
The author has passed all theoretical courses and subjects at a satisfactory level. This
theoretical knowledge has been complemented by good social skills, extreme creative
skills and a passion for presentation. It is in the author’s best interest to further
enhance these skills with analytical and precise capabilities. This research project as
such, but also creating and maintaining an operational online platform to facilitate the
research project are good opportunities. The author has taken various additional
courses in "programming for the web" for this purpose. It is the final ambition to
obtain an "8" grade in order to rise above the achieved overall average grading.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Further Issues
Budget: There is no specific budget allocated for this research project, therefore all
costs will need to be carried by the author.
Timeline: Due to finding a job position per 1 April, it is essential that all research
work and major processing is done before that date. Any administrative proceedings
will be dealt will after that date.
Institute Requirements: can be found in the RSM Master Thesis Manual. These have
been reinforced by a personal research schema provided by Dr. van Fenema and the
Research Design book by Verschuren & Doorewaard.
Cultural, Political & Social: As all participants are assumed to be reasonable thinking
human beings with a considerable level of intelligence, all conflicts are expected to be
dealt with in an adult fashion and 'gentleman's understandings'. Achieving deadlines is
the sole responsibility of the author.
Challenges:
- Hardjono: complementing the research effort with a one-page version of the thesis.
- Personal: handing in a log-in and a password for the third examiner to view all
progress made during the research project.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
Research Visual
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
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Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Definition of Concepts
This section provides stipulative (Verschuren & Doorewaard, 1999) definitions of the
concepts that are objects of research or otherwise related to the research project. The
following concepts have been identified as being key concepts and critical to basic
understanding of this research: the Research Project, Virtual Team, Team Dynamics,
Online Collaboration and Online Platform.
Research Project
The final year project aimed at delivering a research paper to EUR/RSM standards
(RSM, 2003). Comprises at least an academic research objective, questions,
study/project, data collection & analysis, conclusions and recommendations for
implementation and/or further research.
Virtual Team
This research is set up to gain insight into the benefits of operating as a virtual team in
delivering a research project. Virtual teams are characterised by a more intense and
frequent use of communication technology than face-to-face communication.
Team Dynamics
The interaction and relationships between team members and their effect on the team
and project progress.
Online Collaboration
For this project, the research process will be documented and distributed through an
online platform. For production and distribution a web-editing program, standard web
browser and an internet connection are required. Various forms and media will
accommodate the communication process between the researcher and validation team
and externally involved parties.
Online Platform
An internet based stage where a diverse combination of functionalities, i.e. message
board, forum, to-do lists, calendars and file resources, are utilised to aid the virtual
research team collaborate towards fulfilling the research project. Functional areas can
be defined as information sharing, knowledge creation, knowledge management and
workflow management.
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Resources
Author, Year
Title
Case 1, 2003
xDrill
Case 2, 2004
Case 3, 2004
Maznevski, M. (2000)
Meerbeek, M. (2001)
RSM (2003)
Twigge
Verschuren
Doorewaard, (1999)
Source
Author
Internship
Experience
xITService
Author Job Experience
xDefence
Author
Internship
Experience
Virtual Team Dynamics
Organisation Science, Vol.
11, No. 5, Sep.-Oct. 2000,
pp. 473-492 Global
Samenwerken op Afstand
HRD magazine, No. 9,
Sept. 2001, pp. 26-29
Master Thesis Manual
RSM (online)
Research Proposal 0.9
Researcher
& Designing a Research LEMMA
Project
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959
Applying the concepts of Online Collaboration and Virtual Teams to delivering a Research Project through an online platform
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Provisional Chapter Format
Part 1: Context and Approach
Chapter 1: Introduction
- Research Context
- Research Objective
- Research Issue
- Definition of Concepts
- Research Strategy
- Research Planning
Part 2: Theoretical and Practical Research
Chapter 2: Virtual Teams
Chapter 3: Online Collaboration
Chapter 4: Interviews
Chapter 5: Research Model
Chapter 6: Platform Experiment
Chapter 7: Questionnaire
Part 3: Research Results
Chapter 8: Synthesis
Chapter 9: Conclusion & Recommendations for further research
Abstract
Resources
Appendices
Steven L.J. Twigge, 193959