Extending a theory of remote scientific collaboration to corporate contexts

Abstract

In this paper we present preliminary results of a research project aimed at understanding the theoretical basis for successful remote collaboration in corporations. We evaluate some corporate distributed teams with respect to a theory of remote scientific collaboration to identify similarities and differences in corporate contexts. Preliminary results indicate that distance collaboration in corporations differs from distance collaboration in scientific research in three key ways: (1) the importance of functional (as opposed to geographic) distance, (2) new collaboration paradigms (i.e. offshoring) with varying degrees of.otherness. and (3) different incentives. We additionally discuss future research plans based upon our initial findings.