A framework for conceptualising virtual organising. (6th May 2010)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Holm, Anna B.; Ulhoi, John Parm
• Is Part Of: International journal of business and systems research. Volume 4:Number 3(2010)
• Page Start: 293
• Page End: 310
• Publication Date: 2010-05-06
• Subjects: virtual organisations -- organisational virtualisation -- virtually organised business activities -- virtual teams -- web based teams -- online teams -- ambiguity -- inconsistency -- organisational design -- strategic tools -- location-based activities -- time-dependent activities -- time-independent organisations -- space-independent organisations -- electronic knowledge sharing -- collaboration -- decision making; Management information systems -- Periodicals; Business -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 658.4038011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1751-200X

Abstract

Based on an in-depth literature review, the article argues that the literature on virtual organisations and the virtualisation of business activities is characterised by ambiguity and inconsistency. The article identifies a conceptualisation of organisational virtualisation and puts forward a set of propositions on how to understand and study it. We suggest that, rather than perceiving organisational virtualisation as a means to a new organisational design or form, it should be seen as a strategic tool for the partial or complete transformation from location-based and time-dependent business activities to time- and space-independent organisations. In closing, the article presents a cohesive framework for typologising virtually organised activities, ways to understand them and suggestions for its potential use.