Critical Success Factors for Virtual Teams: Evidence from Undergraduate Students in Sri Lanka

This study explores the critical success factors for virtual teams among undergraduate students in Sri Lanka, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a quantitative survey of 363 students, the research highlights the benefits and challenges of virtual teamwork. Key advantages include flexibility, enhanced communication, and the sharing of diverse expertise. However, challenges such as the lack of face-to-face interaction negatively affect communication, coordination, and trust. The study reveals that effective communication and digital tools significantly impact virtual team effectiveness, while task allocation and collaboration do not show a substantial effect. These findings underscore the importance of robust communication channels and technological integration in virtual settings. The research contributes to understanding virtual teamwork dynamics, offering insights for improving team effectiveness in educational contexts. It also suggests further studies exploring the impacts of collaboration and task allocation in virtual environments.