Employer Perspectives on Virtual International Working

Abstract

This chapter summarises the key findings from a doctoral research project that examined employer perceptions of virtual, international working immediately before, during, and after the global pandemic took hold in Spring 2020. The purposive interview sample included new and experienced professionals who work in communication related roles within public, private, and third sector organisations. The research builds on previous evaluative research concerning student and faculty perceptions of virtual exchange. The key issues and themes that employers identified as important for virtual working are presented in their own words. Intercultural competency, digital literacy, and transferable skills are discussed together with business ethics, generational and sectoral differences, and the pedagogical opportunities created by the shift to remote, digital working. A new conceptual model for the training and preparation of staff and students for the post-pandemic, virtual workplace is recommended.

Experiential learning using short-term global virtual team projects

“…Research conducted on students engaging in GVT projects has found that GVT projects are conducive to developing students' skills in digital communication, virtual project management skills and intercultural competence, thus preparing them for the global work environment (Crawford, 2021;Swartz, et al, 2021;Hackett, et al, 2023). This study's qualitative responses further substantiate these findings.…”

“…In the post COVID-19 pandemic era, the focus for higher education has turned to imparting skills and abilities conducive to remote work. The skills fundamental for post-pandemic employment include digital fluency, virtual project management skills, as well as intercultural communication competence (Crawford, 2021;Elliot, 2021;Engler, 2020).…”

“…Underlying these attributes is team members' self-efficacy in dealing successfully with digitally and culturally diverse environments (Hollema, 2020). GVT projects embedded in the curricula of higher education institutions ensure that graduates bring the skillset required for today's global workplace (Crawford, 2021;Brewer et al, 2015;Leask & Bridge, 2013;Starke-Meyerring, 2010).…”

The importance of transversal skills in higher education curricula and inthe labor market

“…Izzy Crawford [8, Skills that are generally considered irrelevant to a particular task, subject, or field of study, however, have a wide The importance of transversal skills in higher education curricula and in the labor market range of applications in a variety of contexts and settings. The student's ability to interpret information and process it using competencies acquired in other areas Roberto Pierdicca, Emanuele Frontoni, Maria Paola Puggioni, Eva Savina Malinverni, Marina Paolanti [10, Source: [11].…”

Standing strong amid a pandemic: How a global online team project stands up to the public health crisis

“…Through participating in this project during a pandemic, students acquired soft skills that helped them to navigate some of the challenges they faced due to the pandemic; they developed emotional connections with help of technology and cultivated global camaraderie and empathy (Ritter et al., 2018 ). The experience also highlighted the value of global learning and emphasized the importance of incorporating educational technologies and methods that are adaptable and reflect the needs of the modern workplace (see eg, Crawford, 2021 ).…”