The structure of thesis is summarized in figure 1. It is organized into nine chapters: after this introduction (Chapter 1), Chapter 2 and Chapter 3 constitute the theoretical foundation and perspective of this study. Chapter 4 presents the virtual project teams’ trust indicators and hypothesis construction. The research methodology is presented in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 draws upon empirical data collection, analysis and results and builds a conceptual model of trust. Chapter 7 validates the model through semi – structured interviews of experts from the construction sector of the Middle East. The Interpretive Structural Modelling(ISM) and Interpretive Ranking Process(IRP) suggests
Chapter 1: Introduction
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the importance and ranking of factors of trust which helps in building practical guidelines for managing the virtual project teams in construction sector. Finally, a conclusion, recommendation, and future outlook are provided in Chapter 9.
Chapter one gives a general introduction to the study, discusses the problem statement as well as justification for the study from which the research questions were formulated. It further highlights the stated aims and objectives through which the questions would be addressed and the expected benefits from the study are addressed.
Consequently, chapter two discusses the processes of Construction Industry of United Arab Emirates. It focuses on definition and different types of Virtual project teams, which led to the understanding of difference between traditional teams and virtual project teams. The challenges of virtual project teams were understood from the literature review. The issue of trust in virtual project teams along with layers and types of trust was discussed in order to give deeper insight into the understanding of trust in virtual project teams.
Chapter three focuses on the two different sets of models of trust and performance. First, there was discussion on various models depicting the effect of trust on performance and secondly, there were different models showing the factors affecting the trust in virtual project teams. These models were needed by the researcher to understand the existing models of Trust, though they are not available in literature for the Middle East context, but they were studied to get a broader perspective of the issues related to the trust among virtual project teams.
Following this, the chapter four deals with the indicators affecting trust, which has been found through extensive literature review. Thereafter, the construction of Trust indicator table was done along with their references. After understanding the definitions of these indicators and after finding commonalities among them, they were grouped together to have more concise listing of the indicators. Based on the literature review findings, the research hypotheses were created and theoretical model of trust was proposed.
Chapter 1: Introduction
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The proposed detailed research methodology comprising of the research philosophy, approach, strategy and methods of data collection and analysis were explained in chapter five stating the underlying rationale for their adoption. Research design is also discussed with emphasis on quantitative data collection and analysis techniques. The data analysis techniques include: factor analysis, structured equation modelling, semi-structured interviews of industry experts, Interpretive Structural Modelling(ISM) and Interpretive Ranking Process (IRP).
Chapter six discusses the results of pilot study which led to the modification of questionnaire instrument. After the distribution of online questionnaire, the data is analyzed with the help of factor analysis using SPSS tool. This analysis helped to give various factors responsible for building trust in virtual project teams of construction sector in Middle East. The Structural Equation Modelling technique using AMOS was used to build measurement and structural model of trust showing relationship among all factors which affects the building of trust in virtual project teams. This helped to test the hypothesis constructed in chapter 4.
Chapter seven discusses the validation of proposed model of trust. This validation was achieved with the help of semi-structured interviews of professionals from construction sector. The profile of the interviewees and interview process are presented in the chapter. It also presented the findings from the interviews that are organized into nine themes. The effect of each theme on trust is discussed and compared with the proposed model.
Chapter eight utilizes the ISM technique to examine the relationship among various factors of trust and resulted in ISM- based model of Trust. In addition, this chapter applies IRP technique to rank the factors of trust with respect to the benefits of trust development in virtual project teams. The implications of ISM model and IRP model of trust are discussed to provide guidelines to the project managers and senior management for building trust in the virtual project teams.
Chapter 1: Introduction
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Chapter nine summarizes the findings and contributions of this study, and discusses its recommendations and the possibilities for future research avenues.
Figure 1: Structure of Thesis
Chapter One Introduction
Chapter Two
Literature Review I: Virtual Project Teams
Chapter Four
Virtual Project Teams’ Trust Indicators and construction of Research Hypothesis
Chapter Five Research Methodology
Chapter Six
Data Collection, Analysis and Research Results
Chapter Seven
Validation of Proposed Model of Trust
Chapter Eight
ISM and IRP Results and Discussions
Chapter Three
Literature Review II: Existing Models of Trust and Performance
Chapter Nine
Chapter 1: Introduction
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1.9 Summary
In this chapter, the background of the study, problem statement and research motivation of the research have been provided. The purpose of the study, is also presented, including the research gap. It has presented the research questions, aim and objectives of the study. It also focused on the scope and benefits of this study. Finally, the structure of the thesis is revealed.
The next chapter focuses on the literature review on virtual project teams. It provides an insight to the processes of construction industry in UAE. The comparison of virtual project teams and traditional teams is done to understand the concept of virtual project teams better. The challenges of virtual project teams are found through the literature review discussed in the next chapter.
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