The focus of this project is to use the example of ‘going Green’ to learn how global firms can reap the benefits of complex business collaboration and not fall prey to the challenges they present.

Key areas that we will investigate:

• The impact of what Lynda Gratton calls an ‘igniting purpose’, in driving effective collaboration.  We expect to work with several firms to learn how issues around Green can provide a helpful example of an ‘igniting purpose’.
• The impact of the specialized enterprise, outsourcing, and innovation on the increasing need to operate and collaborate outside the firewall.  This is increasing in importance as firms begin to focus on industry layers and move away from vertical integration.
• The role of Social Networks in how work really gets done across organizations.  This research will build on the work of University of Virginia Professor, Rob Cross.
• The new kinds of connections that are possible with the emergence of new social software, such as Facebook and Twitter.
• The way in which virtual worlds and online games can provide important new venues for interaction with others. The impact of new, high resolution technologies on the utility of video conferencing.
• The management of the risks of Global Business Collaboration.
• The development of recommendations for how firms can meet the rising need for Global Business Collaboration.