FROM A DISTANCE: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF TELECOMMUTERS WORKING REMOTELY IN VIRTUAL TEAMS
Data analysis surfaced the two major themes of the social and the emotional experience of participants, as well as subthemes that identify contextual, structural, and personal factors that shaped their experiences.
Abstract
In this paper, the social and emotional experience of telecommuters working remotely in interdependent virtual teams is explored through a phenomenological inquiry into participants'ʹ lived experiences. The problem this study addresses is a lack of understanding about the process by which individuals subjectively experience remote work in virtual teams. The research methodology for this study is qualitative—drawing data from interviews of 10 participants. The participants for this study represented a variety of industries and organizations. They were telecommuters who worked remotely more than 80% of the time, had a minimum of one year’s experience, and collaborated with others to develop a shared work product. Data analysis surfaced the two major themes of the social and the emotional experience of participants, as well as subthemes that identify contextual, structural, and personal factors that shaped their experiences.