Building trust in virtual project teams during the Covid-19 pandemic : the viewpoint of project managers from Poland, France and Germany

Abstract

PURPOSE: The aim of the research was to determine the factors conducive to building trust in virtual project teams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PROJECT/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The theoretical-cognitive goal was a substantive review of the subject literature and scientific studies in the field of broadly understood trust-building in virtual project teams. The analysis of the presented problem made it possible to notice the key problems that occur when building trust between the team members and the project manager. The key problem was building trust in a team that carried out its activities virtually.

CONCLUSIONS: The conclusions drawn will enable an in-depth analysis of key problems in managing a virtual project team during a crisis and will permit the adaptation of appropriate methods and techniques of project management to the project stakeholders' expectations.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Creating a code of good practice for managing a virtual project team during the time of a crisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The authors present trust-building in the team as one of the most significant elements affecting the team's results, which is why it is becoming necessary to implement good practices in the practice of managing a virtual team, especially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.