Achieving The Dream Through A Screen: Exploring Employee Engagement And Commitment In Virtual Environments

The aim of this capstone is to explore factors that heighten the level of engagement and commitment of individuals who work virtually, or away from their organization's central office, at least four days a week. Drawing on a survey of 120 participants who work virtually in various industries, this project analyzes what factors can heighten or diminishes levels of engagement and organizational commitment in virtual workers. The survey uses factors that have been shown to enhance employee engagement and commitment in traditional work environments, such as clear communication and interpersonal relationships, to indicate how important these factors are for participants who work virtually. The survey data revealed that interpersonal relationships with coworkers, clearly stated team goals, and autonomy are three factors that increase employee engagement and commitment in virtual environments. Study findings suggest that effective management strategies can be implemented into organizations to reduce attrition rates and retain passionate employees.