Virtuality in E-Internships: A Descriptive Account

Computer mediation has enabled virtual teams to collaborate across time and geographic boundaries. In addition, virtual or e-internships emerged about a decade ago. The advances in both computer mediation and human computer interaction have facilitated this development. The current paper examines the degree of virtuality found in 138 e-internship reports, focusing specifically, the percentage of interactions that takes place face-to-face compared to virtually in these internships. Half of our sample (n = 79) worked entirely virtual in that their interactions were computer-mediated and not face-to-face for more than 90% of their time. Most e-interns were part of a virtual team as well (n = 109). A third of our participants (n = 40) were exposed to a different culture by either working with people from another culture or working for an organization in a different country. Their contribution to the organization in terms of feedback and input was also noteworthy, as more than half of those in largely virtual settings nevertheless indicated they engaged in contextual performance—assisting their organization by volunteering, helping others, sharing information and resources. In addition, more than 90% were willing to commit to another e-internship or virtual career. This suggests that the experience and reliance on computer interactions even in temporary situations can have positive effects, where gains are not only task specific, but generate higher level benefits for e-internship providers in turn.