Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Management

Advisor

Robert Levasseur

Abstract

Advancements in technology have ushered in new digital enterprises, shifting the trend from a conventional workforce to a virtual workforce and giving rise to new challenges for managers. However, the factors affecting virtual worker productivity and job satisfaction are not well known. The purpose of this study was to identify these factors and determine what managers can do to enhance them. The theoretical foundation for this study included sociotechnical theory and content theory as they relate to the motivation and communication needs of the virtual workforce. This qualitative phenomenological study was an exploration of factors that affect virtual workers' productivity and job satisfaction based on analysis of data collected in face-to-face interviews with 5 virtual workers and 5 managers of virtual workers at least 18 years of age who worked full-time from a virtual home office in the United States and communicated through information and communication technology. Using the constant comparative method, data were collected and analyzed from interviews with purposeful samples of virtual workers and managers of virtual workers. Both virtual workers and managers of virtual workers tended to view the factors that affect productivity and job satisfaction similarly: Working virtually benefits virtual workers and employers, having a flexible work schedule enables employees to lower work-related costs and maintain a healthier work-life balance, and employers benefit from the improved productivity of the virtual workforce and a wider talent pool and save on workplace-related costs. The study results could bring about positive social change by helping managers implement ways to enhance the productivity and satisfaction of virtual workers, a fast-growing component of the modern workforce.

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