Operating Model for Enhancing Collaboration in a New Virtual Cross-Border Business Environment

Abstract

The ability to support collaborative working across borders is becoming more significant as organizations approach internationalization and seek efficient ways of working with distributed teams. This paper aims to propose an operating model that defines, at the abstract level, the key goals, key processes, key roles and collaborative support methods for a newly formed cross-cultural and dispersed business environment.

Based on a qualitative research method set in a case study, the current challenges were analysed among a distributed project team across two nations. The case study projects were infrastructure engineering design projects based in Sweden where the client is the Swedish Transport Administration. A Swedish firm, a newly launched company who collaborates with their mother company based in Finland, utilizes their resources predominately for engineering design work. The existing literature was reviewed and resulted in a conceptual framework in which to build an operating model for collaborative working between the Finnish and Swedish organizations.

The findings showed that there exists role ambiguity, communication challenges and work process integration issues. The paper resulted in an operating model that defines the shared goals, key processes and, roles and responsibilities between the two companies. A number of support methods were identified for enhancing collaboration between the two firms. The paper concludes with practical recommendations for enhancing the collaboration between the two companies.