Managing work in 'moderate' virtual organisation

摘要

ICT-transformation of organisations in the direction of virtualisation, represent new challenges for management. It is argued that in ICT-penetrated organisations, management experience that the repertoire of coordination, assignment of task and other traditional managerial tasks cannot be treated as in built features in technology or handled only by auto-responsible employees. Therefore traditional elements have to coexist in the repertoire with new ones like coaching of self-managing teleworkers. Drawing on case material from Swiss enterprises, the contribution discusses how management in practice is -and can be- exercised when the organisation is construed out of its borders. The implications lead not only into enlarging of the repertoire, but also into rethinking the spatial aspect of management and the new boundaries of organisation. It is characteristic that dislocated work is managed in both traditional, tayloristic and modem empowered ways. While ICT used in the cases represents a fairly low-tech implementation, the study illuminates how the organisational ICT appropriation still takes time and effort. Ultimately the reconceptualisation of management needs to encompass networking with independent distance workers in temporary arrangements.