Finals Question #5

Finals Question #5

TOPIC: THE VIRTUAL OFFICE

1. Describe or define virtual office.

Virtual office is a workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies. A virtual office is characterized by the use of teleworkers, telecenters, mobile workers, hot-desking, and hoteling, and promotes the use of virtual teams. A virtual office can increase an organization's flexibility, cost effectiveness, and efficiency.

dictionary.bnet.com/definition/virtual+office.html

2. Distinguish virtual office from MIS.

Virtual office is a workplace that is not based in one physical location but consists of employees working remotely by using information and communications technologies while the (MIS) is a subset of the overall internal control of a business covering the application of people, documents, technologies, and procedures by management accountants to solving business problems such as costing a product, service or a business-wide strategy.

3. Illustrate (give examples) how virtual office can improve company's competitive advantage and organizational performance.

The virtual office can improve company's advantage and organizational performance through to achieve their business objectives, many companies are exploring varying degrees of virtuality or remote working (away from the office location), facilitated by technology. Managers have to decide when, where, and for whom such virtuality is appropriate to ensure that rewards are maximized for the staff and for the organization. This paper explores the challenges for managers in establishing virtual offices or teams. It suggests that successful virtual offices require more than just technology. They require radical new approaches to evaluating, educating, organizing and informing workers. The real challenge in maximizing the virtual experience lies in designing the organization structure and processes to achieve agreed goals.