Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2019 Management of Virtual Offices Cheryl Donaldson Howard Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, and the Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral study by Cheryl Ann Donaldson Howard has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Teresa Jepma, Committee Chairperson, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Patsy Kasen, Committee Member, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Dr. Peter Anthony, University Reviewer, Doctor of Business Administration Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2019 Abstract Management of Virtual Offices by Cheryl Ann Donaldson Howard MS, NOVA Southeastern University, 1999 BS, McKendree College 1996 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2019 Abstract Many organizational leaders manage virtual employees without the specific training and experience required for leading a virtual organization, which can lead to billions of dollars in lost productivity. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore strategies managers used to manage a virtual office. The target population consisted of 4 managers located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States who had a minimum of 2 years of experience managing virtual offices. The conceptual framework for this study was social exchange theory. Data were collected using semistructured interviews and a review of company documents. Data were analyzed using manual coding and a qualitative data analysis software; member checking and triangulation were used to enhance validity. Key themes emerged from data analysis related to management strategies: communication, leadership, and developing relationships. The results of this study might contribute to social change by supporting managers of virtual offices in reducing organizational travel costs and energy use, and supporting work–life balance through virtual business practices. Management of Virtual Offices by Cheryl Ann Donaldson Howard MS, NOVA Southeastern University, 1999 BS, McKendree College 1996 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Business Administration Walden University March 2019 Dedication This dedication is to my parents, Otis and Shirley Donaldson of Pensacola, Florida and their dream of success for their nine children. My parent's hope was to see us graduate from high-school and dream was to see us accomplish college degrees. My father is no longer with us, but my mother will be a witness to my struggle to succeed in obtaining my doctoral degree as the first of their children to academically go this far. Additionally, this dedication goes to my spouse, Jason, for his support. Without Jason's understanding and support, I would not have accomplished this goal. Finally, this dedication is to our children and grandchildren to be a model of accomplishment so they will succeed by attainment of the highest academic degree in their chosen fields of interest. Acknowledgments The first acknowledgment is to God. My faith in God directed my prayers in asking for His blessings to have the ability to be in this doctorate program and to get this done. God’s blessings is the foremost achnowledgement that helped me to make this accomplishment. I acknowledge Dr. Teresa Jepma, my academic chair, who has been with me during the many years to make this accomplishment. My acknowledgments include Dr. Patsy Kasen, my second committee member. I also include Dr. Rick Hay, doctoral specialist, the Walden Library faculty, and numerous other faculty members that I thank you all for your professionalism and vast knowledge that assisted me to complete this degree. I acknowledge key family members that I also dedicate this degree, as well as all of my familiy members that gave me encouragement and confidence during difficult semesters. By the same means, I acknowledge friends, neighbors, fellow students, and the research participants because all have supported me with patience and understanding as I make this accomplishment. I am honored to mention these acknowledgments because this is confirmation of the people that supported me, and God who answered my prayers. Table of Contents List of Tables .......................................................................................................................v Section 1: Foundation of the Study ......................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................2 Purpose Statement ..........................................................................................................3 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................3 Research Question .........................................................................................................4 Interview Questions .......................................................................................................4 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................5 Operational Definitions ..................................................................................................5 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ................................................................7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7 Delimitations ........................................................................................................... 8 Significance of the Study ...............................................................................................8 Contribution to Business Practice ........................................................................... 8 Implications for Social Change ............................................................................... 9 A Review of the Professional and Academic Literature ................................................9 Social Exchange Theory (SET) ............................................................................ 11 Virtual Revolution ................................................................................................ 22 Virtual Organizations ............................................................................................ 26 i Technology ........................................................................................................... 31 Leadership ............................................................................................................. 33 Virtual Impact on Society and the Environment................................................... 41 Transition .....................................................................................................................43 Section 2: The Project ........................................................................................................45 Purpose Statement ........................................................................................................45 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................45 Participants ...................................................................................................................48 Research Method and Design ......................................................................................52 Research Method .................................................................................................. 52 Research Design.................................................................................................... 53 Population and Sampling .............................................................................................54 Defining the Population ........................................................................................ 54 Sampling ............................................................................................................... 55 Data Saturation and Sampling .............................................................................. 56 Ethical Research...........................................................................................................57 Data Collection Instruments ........................................................................................59