What defines a virtual team?

A virtual team is primarily defined by its reliance on electronic communication technologies to collaborate and achieve shared objectives. Unlike traditional teams that gather in a physical space, virtual teams operate across different locations, utilizing digital tools such as emails, video conferencing, and collaborative software. This allows team members to interact and work together effectively, regardless of their physical distance from one another.

In the context of the other options, meeting face-to-face regularly, or being a department within a corporation, does not align with the concept of a virtual team, since both imply a level of physical presence and organizational structure that contradicts the nature of virtual collaboration. Similarly, while a network of independent contractors working separately may imply coordination among individuals, it lacks the cohesive teamwork aspect typically associated with a virtual team focused on achieving common goals.