This article aims to help organizations invest wisely in virtual competence by first explaining how this requires the development of three capabilities: virtual self-efficacy, virtual social skill, and virtual media skill. It then highlights concrete actions that managers can take to help ensure that virtual work meets its potential in their organizations. One key finding in the authors’ research is that people develop virtual competence through experience .....more

A German expatriate had moved to China in 2005 to take up a merchandizing position at the Wal-Mart China headquarters in Shenzen. By 2008 he had been promoted to the new position of senior director for sustainability for Wal-Mart China (retail) and Global Procurement. His new position required that he lead the rapidly-approaching inaugural Wal-Mart Sustainability Summit. The senior director must ensure that Wal-Mart China’s five Strategic Value .....more

Teaching note for product 9B06E016

Lulu.com is an e-commerce company that distributes content for book authors, video producers, calendar designers and other intellectual property creators that can be captured in digital formats. At this time, Lulu.com has developed a successful niche market in print-on-demand books within the United States. However, the vision of its founder is much larger. The president is faced with the strategic dilemma of whether to expand Lulu.com's product .....more