2020 has re-defined the world—socially, politically, medically, psychologically, and organizationally. As more and more organizations adopt work-from-home policies and employees stay connected over virtual means, leaders and managers contemplate how effective, efficient, and competent they are as e-leaders. Although digital technologies such as e-mails, chats, instant messaging and video conferences had been commonly accepted modes of communication in the last decade or so, these were seen as complementary to, not substitutes of live physical presence. But as the world gets redefined and virtuality becomes a norm rather than the exception, what are the some of the challenges and opportunities that lie in store for global business leaders. We will try to address these issues in this SNOC by organizing the course around certain pertinent questions in the following four themes:

1. E-leadership: What does the existing scholarly literature say about leadership exercised via virtual means? What are the ways to inspire trust and belongingness in virtual teams?
2. Virtual Workforce: Are employees sufficiently engaged in the electronically connected workforce and teams? What drives their engagement?
3. Communication Technologies: How does technology interact with social and psychological dimensions of workplace behavior, especially when there are multiple channels available?
4. Global Outlook: As teams are geographically dispersed in different countries around the world, what are the cultural dimensions that the leader must be sensitive to.

Taught by Professor Ritu Tripathi.

Course Date & Time

Wed & Thurs, 6-7.30 pm (India Standard Time)