Challenges Leading Global Virtual Teams : a qualitative study of the Covid-19 pandemic impact

Abstract: Earlier research has identified challenges in leading global virtual teams (GVTs). However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world globally, even GVTs had to shift to work from home instead of an office. Hence, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate how challenges of leading GVTs have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Identified challenges, including before the pandemic and additional ones that were recognized during it, are introduced. The thesis implements semi-structured interviews with leaders of GVTs to get results in line with the purpose. The results indicate that existing challenges have changed depending on what industry the GVT works in and what restrictions members face due to the pandemic. Additionally, the new challenges that were experienced during the pandemic are distractions, work/life balance, and dealing with isolation. Further challenges are having the right equipment to work comfortably, recruiting and onboarding new staff