Affiliations: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: PD Dr. Dr. Stefanie Mache, Institutional address: Institute for Occupational and Maritime Medicine (ZfAM), University Medical Centre Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Tel.: +004940428374313; E-mail: s.mache@uke.de.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:The increasing globalization and the advances in communication technology have expedited the formation of virtual teams. The geographical distribution of virtual team members entails significant changes in working conditions. There is limited knowledge about the demands and resources virtual team members experience and how these can affect their mental health. OBJECTIVE:The aim of this study is to identify work-related psychological demands and resources of virtual team members. METHODS:14 semi-structured interviews with virtual team members were conducted. Study participants were recruited based on the gatekeeper principle and the snowball principle. The interviewees were asked about self-perceived job demands and resources of virtual teamwork. The interviews were analyzed according to Mayring’s structuring content analysis. RESULTS:Based on the qualitative analysis, the following job demands were explored among virtual team members: challenges due to permanent availability, technical conditions, and communication issues with other virtual team members. Job-related resources among virtual team members were also identified and are reflected in increased autonomy, flexibility and improved compatibility of private and professional working life. CONCLUSION:This study contributes to the understanding of the specific working conditions of virtual team members and identified job demands and resources of virtual teamwork. In addition, this study can be used as a basis for further quantitative investigations.
Keywords: Distributed work, work stressors, geographic dispersion, electronic dependence
