Managerial Applications of Technology (Virtual Workforce) 2 - Assignment Example

MANAGEMENT OF VIRTUAL WORKFORCE Management of virtual workforce There are a number of ways through which technology has influenced the utilization of remote workers. Through technology, organizations can be able to monitor the contribution and progress of remote employees. For instance, a business organization can choose to use an online portal where a remote worker’s job progress can be reviewed. Technology also helps in connecting the organization to their virtual worker for proper communication.

This enables the virtual workers and those available physically to be able to work as a single unit (Hill, Ferris & Märtinson, 2003). Technology is also the backbone of virtual working because it provides applications and appliances that enable such endeavors. Using remote workers can bring flexibility to a business organization as it will not have to depend on the state of their premises or the accessibility of their premises. Virtual employees do not need any physical office, making the financially advantageous to an organization.

Due to fact that virtual employees have no geographical restriction on where they are supposed to work they sometime have higher productivity as compared to the physically available ones (Marquez, 2008). For example, virtual workers do not have to spend time travelling to the offices. The disadvantages of using virtual include the fact that monitoring them is usually a hard task. It is also hard in bringing them to be part of collective efforts by the other members of the workforce. Good strategies can help an organization in minimizing the disadvantages and maximizing the advantages of using virtual workforce.

In hiring virtual workers a company should make sure that they hire self-motivated and self-disciplined individuals (Gillis, 2003). There should also be frequent and meaningful communication between an organization and their virtual employees. This will be important in monitoring their progress. Giving virtual employee targets to meet after a given duration will help in making sure that they are able to maximize their contribution to the organization. ReferencesGillis, T. L. (2003). Managing the virtual workforce requires knowledge of communication behavior.

Communication World, 20(5), 10.Hill, E. J., Ferris, M., & Märtinson, V. (2003). Does it matter where you work? A comparison of how three work venues (traditional office, virtual office, and home office) influence aspects of work and personal/family life. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 63(2), 220-241.Marquez, J. (2008). Connecting a virtual workforce. Workforce Management, 87(15), 1-6.