Final answer:
Difficulty in building trust is a significant disadvantage of virtual teams. Trust-building in virtual environments is hindered due to the lack of non-verbal cues and fewer informal interactions, affecting team cohesion and effectiveness. The correct answer is C.
Step-by-step explanation:
When working within virtual teams, one major disadvantage that often arises is the difficulty in building trust. Unlike traditional co-located teams, virtual teams operate over a digital landscape where face-to-face interactions are minimal or non-existent. This can lead to challenges in establishing rapport and trust among team members, which are crucial for team cohesion and effectiveness.
Building trust in this environment requires consistent communication, transparent work processes, and assurances of reliability. In a virtual setting, it's more challenging to pick up on non-verbal cues, such as body language or tone of voice, which can often convey trustworthiness and intent. Consequently, there is an increased reliance on written communication, which can be easily misinterpreted, potentially leading to misunderstandings and mistrust.
Ultimately, a lack of trust within a virtual team can result in decreased morale, lower productivity, and a reduction in collaboration and cooperation. Overcoming these challenges requires deliberate efforts, strategies, and tools to facilitate clear, effective, and frequent communication, all of which can demand additional time and resources compared to traditional teams. Managers and team members alike need to be proactive in creating a culture of open communication and shared understanding to mitigate the drawbacks of remote collaboration.