Virtual teams operate through information technology and are becoming increasingly important as globalization increases in today's world . Members of virtual teams are dispersed in different locations because they operate on a global scale. Members of a virtual team interact electronically and may meet face to face on occasion. Our society is transforming towards knowledge-based work, which emphasizes that knowledge is a major competitive advantage. Organizations are moving from production-based operations to knowledge-based operations. Globalization and organizational learning processes are driving a dramatic increase in the need for virtual teams. Virtual teams motivate their members to collaborate and share knowledge, even if distance seems to limit this interaction. Global organizations rely on virtual operations to balance their human capital. For virtual teams to be effective, team members must have the ability to communicate effectively using technology. Many believe that members should meet early in team development, to ensure organizational effectiveness. Globalization is essentially about opening new frontiers, and increasing technology has made it possible to characterize our environment as global. Global economies give businesses the opportunity to market products and services all over the world. Globalization has also allowed companies to establish alliances, which has become essential for business success today. Virtual teams thrive for several different purposes, depending on the goals of the specific organization. For example, team members may not be physically co-located. It may not be practical for members to travel to meet in person. Another possible reason may be because...... middle of paper ...... learn how to effectively develop and manage virtual teams. Teams are not designed the same way as they were in previous generations. The nature of teams has changed dramatically due to changes in organizations and the nature of the work they do. The relationships between people inside an organization and those outside become increasingly important. Organizations have become aware of the value of collaborative work. Knowledge management has become important in organizations, emphasizing the learning of organizational members so that it is available to the entire organization. Virtual teams are becoming increasingly impactful as organizations expand across geographies and industries. Works Cited McShane, Steven L. and Mary Ann Von Glinow. Organizational behavior: emerging knowledge and practices for the real world. 5th ed. New York: Paul Ducham, 2010. Print.