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Implications of space and time for distributed work: an interpretive study of US–Norwegian systems development teams

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European Journal of Information Systems

Abstract

In this paper, utilizing the often taken-for-granted notions of space and time, we develop an understanding of how collaboration is possible among virtual team-members spread across the globe. We do so by interpretively examining the actual experiences and work practices of virtual team-members located in the US & Norway, engaged in information systems development (ISD) projects. We identify a number of collaboration inhibitors, along with strategies used by team-members to address the challenges posed by the mismatch in time zones and the lack of physical proximity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Systems, Washington State University, Pullman, 99164, WA, USA

    Suprateek Sarker

  2. School of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Sundeep Sahay

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  1. Suprateek Sarker
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  2. Sundeep Sahay
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Correspondence to Suprateek Sarker.

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Sarker, S., Sahay, S. Implications of space and time for distributed work: an interpretive study of US–Norwegian systems development teams. Eur J Inf Syst 13, 3–20 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000485

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.ejis.3000485

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