Motivating Generation Y and Virtual Teams

Abstract

How can team members remain effective if members cannot engage in face-to-face interactions? Although the concept of global virtual teams has been a relatively new phenomenon, their use by organizations is a growing trend. The growth of globalization and the explosion of new technology have led to a new paradigm—a workplace that has no walls or boundaries. The purpose of the qualitative, descriptive study was to explore the motivational needs of Gen Y virtual team members and their impact in the workplace based on Herzberg’s two-factor theory of motivation. The participants consisted of Gen Y members at the Lakeland,Florida. The author used a researcher-developed, written survey as research methodology. The findings of the study revealed that Gen Y cohort placed great importance to both hygiene and motivator factors in their motivational needs. Advancement and personal life were both important to Gen Y participants. Managers must be flexible in their managerial approach to Gen Y workers.

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Baldonado, A. (2013) Motivating Generation Y and Virtual Teams. Open Journal of Business and Management, 1, 39-44. doi: 10.4236/ojbm.2013.12006.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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