The Perceptions of Managers Relating to Subordinate Productivity in Virtual Work Arrangements PDF
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2015 The Perceptions of Managers Relating to Subordinate Productivity in Virtual Work Arrangements Frank Melvin Walden University Follow this and additional works at:https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of theBusiness 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 [email protected]. Walden University College of Management and Technology This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Frank Melvin 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. Carol Wells, Committee Chairperson, Management Faculty Dr. Judith Forbes, Committee Member, Management Faculty Dr. Howard Schechter, University Reviewer, Management Faculty Chief Academic Officer Eric Riedel, Ph.D. Walden University 2015 Abstract The Perceptions of Managers Relating to Subordinate Productivity in Virtual Work Arrangements by Frank Melvin MA, Webster University, 1986 BS, Grambling State University, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Abstract Some managers tend to resist virtual work and find it challenging to manage the productivity of subordinates working virtually. This phenomenological study examined managers’ perceptions of subordinate productivity in virtual work arrangements. Adaptive structuration theory and McGregor’s X and Y theory guided this study. The primary research questions focused on the managers’ perceptions of worker productivity in virtual work arrangements and the related challenges. Data collection included semistructured interviews with 40 business managers responsible for overseeing the productivity of virtual workers. The study was conducted in the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area. Utilizing the Stevick–Colaizzi–Keen method of data analysis, 3 primary themes emerged: (a) subordinate productivity was not negatively affected by the use of virtual work arrangements, (b) virtual work arrangements posed challenges for managers responsible for overseeing virtual worker productivity with the lack of face–to– face interaction identified as the most significant, and (c) there was managerial support for the use of virtual work arrangements. Social change implications, given the findings, include an increased awareness of worker productivity in virtual work arrangements, which could lead to increased opportunities for individuals to work in a virtual setting. The increase in virtual work arrangements benefits society by reducing fuel consumption, road congestion, and related pollutants. Organizational leaders can use the findings from the study to develop business strategies to sustain virtual worker productivity and address the related challenges to improve the quality of life for managers of virtual workers. The Perceptions of Managers Relating to Subordinate Productivity in Virtual Work Arrangements by Frank Melvin MA, Webster University, 1986 BS, Grambling State University, 1978 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Management Walden University August 2015 Acknowledgments I would first like to thank my Heavenly Father for all he has done for me throughout this amazing journey. He has given me strength and perseverance to stay focused and motivated. I would like to thank the Walden University faculty and staff, specifically Dr. Carol Wells, my committee chairperson, for the motivation and that added push needed to accomplish the task. I also want to thank Dr. Judith Forbes, my committee member, for her valuable insight in helping me to complete my dissertation, and Dr. Howard Schechter, my university research reviewer. I also want to recognize Lisa, my very near and dearest special friend who kept me engaged, determined, entrenched, driven and focused during my dissertation journey. Table of Contents List of Tables .................................................................................................................... vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. viii Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ....................................................................................1 Background of the Problem ...........................................................................................3 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................5 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions ........................................................................................................7 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................8 Conceptual Framework ..................................................................................................9 Definition of Terms......................................................................................................11 Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations ..............................................................12 Assumptions .......................................................................................................... 12 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 13 Scope and Delimitations ....................................................................................... 13 Significance of the Study .............................................................................................14 Contribution to Business Practice ......................................................................... 14 Significance for Social Change ....................................................................................15 Summary and Transition ..............................................................................................16 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................18 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................19 i Origins of Virtual Work ...............................................................................................21 Descriptions of Virtual Work Arrangements ........................................................ 22 Virtual Workers .................................................................................................... 23 Benefits of Virtual Work .............................................................................................24 Benefits of Virtual Work for the Organization ..................................................... 24 Benefits of Virtual Work for Individuals .............................................................. 25 Benefits of Virtual Work for Society .................................................................... 26 Disadvantages of Virtual Work ...................................................................................28 Disadvantages of Virtual Work for Individuals .................................................... 28 Disadvantages of Virtual Work for the Organization ........................................... 30 Disadvantages of Virtual Work for Society .......................................................... 31 A Study of Virtual Work and Perceived Challenges ............................................ 31 Drivers of Virtual Work Arrangements .......................................................................34 Government Legislation........................................................................................ 34 Employee Needs ................................................................................................... 36 The Economy ........................................................................................................ 40 Business Continuity .............................................................................................. 41 Productivity of Virtual Workers ..................................................................................44 Productivity–Related Virtual Work Studies ................................................................45 Cisco Systems ....................................................................................................... 45 Lloyds of London .................................................................................................. 45 ii A Meta–Analysis of Virtual Work Empirical Studies .......................................... 46 Stanford University Chinese Telework Study ...................................................... 47 Factors Influencing Teleworkers Perceived Productivity ..................................... 48 Telecommuting and Job Performance .................................................................. 49 Westfall’s Model of Production ............................................................................ 51 Productivity of Telecommuters............................................................................. 53 Productivity and Dull or Creative Tasks ............................................................... 53 Leadership and Productivity ................................................................................. 54 Management Resistance to Virtual Work ....................................................................57 Management Resistance........................................................................................ 59 Corporate Culture.................................................................................................. 60 Resistance at the Federal Government Level........................................................ 61 Minimizing Management Resistance at Federal Agencies ................................... 62 The Telework Divide ............................................................................................ 64 Work Motivation of Federal Teleworkers ............................................................ 65 Recommended Managerial Actions ...................................................................... 67 Leadership for Virtual Work Environments ................................................................69 Virtual Leadership ................................................................................................ 70 Transformational Leadership ................................................................................ 72 Conceptual Framework ................................................................................................73 Adaptive Structuration Theory (AST) .................................................................. 73 iii Studies Using Adaptive Structuration Theory ...................................................... 75 AST in Relationship to This Study ....................................................................... 76 Gaps in Literature ........................................................................................................77 McGregor’s Theory X and Theory Y ................................................................... 81 Transition and Summary ..............................................................................................83 Chapter 3: Research Method ..............................................................................................86 Purpose of the Study ....................................................................................................86 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................87 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................89 Methodology ................................................................................................................89 Participants ............................................................................................................ 89 Recruitment of Participants................................................................................... 90 Instrument ............................................................................................................. 91 Research Questions ............................................................................................... 92 Data Collection ............................................................................................................93 Data Collection Process ........................................................................................ 95 Interview Protocol ................................................................................................. 96 Data Analysis and Interpretation .................................................................................97 Data Analysis Technique ...................................................................................... 98 Issues of Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................100 Ethical Procedures .....................................................................................................102 iv
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