Challenges of Applying Virtual Workplace

Alexandria University

Faculty of Commerce

English EMBA Program

Alexandria University

Faculty of Commerce

English EMBA Program

Challenges of adopting and applying virtual workplace concept

(In Developing countries vs. developed countries)

Supervised by

Prof. Dr. Naglaa Fathy El Dessouky

Prepared by

Mohamad Elhosiny

Introduction

We will discuss major challenges that may face adopting and implementing virtual workplace concepts and mechanism. Decision makers should consider these problems carefully before adopting VW arrangements.

We will address the issue on three levels:

Agent (employee): the employees & managers involving in the virtual environment.

Corporate: determines the impact on the organizational level.

Country: analyzes the impact on the domestic and national level.

1- Virtual workplace challenges on the agent (employee) level:

Challenge point | Developing countries & Developed countries |

Isolation | Isolation from colleagues and rivals may: a. Results in lack of synergies that often accompany face-to-face communications. b. Lead to losing the motive for self-motivation. |

Personal life | Interference between work time and spare time |

Contractual relationship | In developing countries: difficulties in applying certain arrangements (e.g. the contractual relationship and the social insurance systems.) | In developed countries: they have a better readiness to afford and handle it. |

| No accurate calculation of productivity. |

Financial stability | 1- Uncertainty about the income 2- Losing some fringe benefits (paid vacations, pensions, medical and social insurance) |

Qualifications | Resistance to change |

| In developing countries: Computer illiteracy and weak English language | In developed countries: they have an increased level of IT awareness |

2- Virtual workplace challenges on the corporate level:

Challenge point | Developing countries & Developed countries...