The ability to create technology-based learning platforms that enable greater levels of autonomy, mastery and purpose are critical for getting students at any level to their educational goals (Vigentini, 2009). Bibliography

Vigentini, L. (2009). Using learning technology in university courses: Do styles matter? Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 3(1), 17-32.

What leadership skills are needed to manage a virtual team?

For a virtual team to excel, the leader must strive to move beyond transactional or short-term management strategies to embrace transformational leadership. This makes the overall direction of a team much more unified and focused on a common goal. Transformational leaders of virtual teams also have the ability to instill trust by creating many opportunities for collaboration and communication as well (Cascio, Shurygailo, 2003). The leadership skills of being able to solve complex problems at a distance through the use of emotional intelligence (EI) is also a critical skill set as well (Cascio, Shurygailo, 2003). In conjunction with these leadership skills, the leader of a virtual team also has to have a high level of expertise in telecommuting technologies as well (Ahmadi, Helms, Ross, 2000). All of these factors are taken together in the defining of an effective virtual team leader.

Bibliography

Ahmadi, M., Helms, M.M., & Ross, T.J. (2000). Technological developments: Shaping the telecommuting work environment of the future. Facilities, 18(1), 83-83.

Cascio, W.F., & Shurygailo, S. (2003). E-leadership and virtual teams. Organizational Dynamics, 31(4), 362-376.

How has telecommunications changed the work environment?

The foundation of the work environment has completely changed due to the advent and continual improvement of telecommunications technologies. Where these technologies have had the greatest impact is in the development of virtual teams and entire working divisions of people spread across the world. The continual adoption of telecommunication is unifying working teams and also leading to a more real-time level of communication globally within and outside companies as well (Ahmadi, Helms, Ross, 2000)

Bibliography

Ahmadi, M., Helms, M.M., & Ross, T.J. (2000). Technological developments: Shaping the telecommuting work environment of the future. Facilities, 18(1), 83-83.

What are the main challenges that e-commerce organizations face in the customer services arena?

There are many challenges that e-commerce organizations...

This is the paradox of e-commerce; the high levels of automation critical for a company to scale its operations effectively are opposed to the high level of personal service needed to gain the trust of consumers (Kumar, Petersen, 2006). The first and most significant challenge is how to gain greater customer trust and input online using e-commerce, which is inherently automated. Second, the need for escalating a wide variety of calls is also critically important for customers to attain a high level of satisfaction with a given e-commerce site or service. This personal touch aspect of e-commerce is critical for long-term loyalty as well. Companies who rely on these strategies of e-commerce selling and service will need to balance the two extremes in order to stay profitable.
Bibliography

Kumar, S., & Petersen, P. (2006). Impact of e-commerce in lowering operational costs and raising customer satisfaction. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 17(3), 283-302.

Entire Bibliography

(Ahmadi, Helms, Ross, 2000)

Cascio, W.F., & Shurygailo, S. (2003). E-leadership and virtual teams. Organizational Dynamics, 31(4), 362-376.

Dehning, B., Richardson, V.J., Urbaczewski, a., & Wells, J.D. (2004). Reexamining the value relevance of E-commerce initiatives. Journal of Management Information Systems, 21(1), 55-82.

Gokmen, a. (2012). Virtual business operations, e-commerce & its significance and the case of turkey: Current situation and its potential. Electronic Commerce Research, 12(1), 31-51.

Gregory, G., Karavdic, M., & Zou, S. (2007). The effects of E-commerce drivers on export marketing strategy. Journal of International Marketing, 15(2), 30.

Kumar, S., & Petersen, P. (2006). Impact of e-commerce in lowering operational costs and raising customer satisfaction. Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, 17(3), 283-302.

Wen, M. (2004). E-commerce, productivity, and fluctuation. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 55(2), 187-206.

Willis, J.L. (2004). What impact will E-commerce have on the U.S. economy? Economic Review - Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 89(2), 53-71.

Vigentini, L. (2009). Using learning technology in university courses: Do styles matter? Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 3(1), 17-32.