The nature of work for employees in a virtual organisation: The virtual worker

Abstract

This exploratory study aims to develop and offer some deeper understanding of the impact on work created by virtual organisations. This study seeks to understand: what are the advantages in the virtual arrangement that attracts the virtual workers? And what aspects of the virtual worker enable them to function in this working environment? Although the meanings of the virtual organization are varied, an adapted definition of the characteristics of the virtual organization is presented. The salient aspects of the virtual organization is the flexibility to meet the changing environment, its effectiveness in using electronic communication and the leveraging of strategic partnerships. Understanding virtual work is important as e-commerce and e-business strategies are adopted and implemented in organizations where flexible work practice is a key component of the business strategy. © 2003 by Springer Science+Business Media New York.