Answer :
For virtual teams to build trust, establish team identity, and solidify norms, research suggests that a) Face-to-face meetings are essential, thus the correct option is a.
Face-to-face meetings provide virtual teams with the opportunity to establish personal connections, build rapport, and develop a sense of camaraderie that may be lacking in purely virtual interactions. These meetings allow team members to communicate non-verbal cues such as facial expressions and body language, which can foster trust and understanding among team members. Additionally, face-to-face interactions facilitate open and candid discussions, leading to more effective problem-solving and decision-making processes.
While written communication plays a significant role in virtual team collaboration, it is not as effective as face-to-face meetings in building trust and solidifying team norms. Written communication lacks the richness and immediacy of face-to-face interactions, making it more challenging to convey emotions, build rapport, and establish a sense of team identity. Although written communication is essential for sharing information and coordinating tasks in virtual teams, it should be supplemented with regular face-to-face meetings to enhance team cohesion and effectiveness.
Moreover, a strict hierarchical structure and minimizing individual contributions are not conducive to building trust and establishing team identity in virtual teams. A rigid hierarchy may stifle creativity and collaboration, while minimizing individual contributions can undermine team morale and engagement.
Instead, virtual teams benefit from a collaborative and inclusive approach that encourages active participation, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes collective ownership of team goals and norms, thus the correct option is a.
