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Virtual Existence and the Virtual Organisation
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Author(s): Anita Greenhill (University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology, UK)
Copyright: 2004
Pages: 4
Source title:
Innovations Through Information Technology
Source Editor(s): Mehdi Khosrow-Pour, D.B.A. (Information Resources Management Association, USA)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-59140-261-9.ch152
ISBN13: 9781616921255
EISBN13: 9781466665347
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Abstract
This paper considers the implications of reifying the social form of virtual organisations by presenting the findings of a case study that explores the interactions of a group of people interacting within a virtual classroom. The study shows that socio-cultural and socio-technical knowledges play an important role in the shaping the actions of the participants. Specifically, culturally know ledge’s are constantly shared thus strengthening the group’s self-identification. This argument represents a challenge to the dominant representation of the virtual as the binary opposite to physical reality. Although virtual existence is not tied to a physical environment the experiences that can be shared form the nexus for virtual interaction and, consequently, virtual organizations. This paper argues that virtual existence offer a partial release from physically grounded realities, by providing - possibly momentary - experiences that do not require constant physically-oriented presence.
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