Effective knowledge management boosts virtual teams : When the relevant ICT is in place, it’s over to HR managers to make them work

Purpose – Describes the role of human-resource management (HRM) in ensuring effective knowledge management in virtual teams. Design/methodology/approach – Explains how the various policies and processes designed and implemented by the HRM enable virtual teams to manage knowledge effectively and thereby provide a competitive advantage to an organization. Findings – Highlights how developments in information technology have made virtual teams more common. Practical implications – Advances the view that appropriate recruitment, induction, training and appraisal processes are needed to ensure effective knowledge management in virtual teams. Social implications – Reveals that virtual teams are increasingly common across a wide range of industries and sectors and so their effective management is growing in importance. Originality/value – Provides insights into how the challenge of managing knowledge in virtual teams can be overcome by suitably designed and implemented HRM practices.