Moderating Virtual Meetings in an International Environment

Since the COVID-19 pandemic has created a shift towards interconnected global work, virtual meetings have become a vital element in corporate settings. This book researches the implications of moderating international virtual meetings. It delves into the dynamics of virtual moderation, specifically, how moderators manage and direct contributions from participants. By utilizing the conversation analysis (CA) framework, this research analyzes recorded virtual meetings, each 70 minutes in length, from conference meeting sessions in Canada. The findings reveal that effective moderation is crucial in overcoming the technological limitations and communication barriers of virtual meetings. The four strategies that emerged from the data are selecting the next speaker, utilization of technological tools, inviting speakers to self-select, and assertive participation invitation. This book contributes to existing research by identifying specific virtual meeting practices to help facilitate better virtual collaboration in international business environments.