A Framework for Implementing Virtual Workplace in Nigerian Universities
Okpor James *
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Apeh T. Simon
University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Orukpe E. Patience
University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria.
Chinda Francis Emmanuel
Federal University Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The recent advancement in information and communication technology has altered all aspects of life including the education sector through e-learning, virtual Labs, and elibrary. The globalization of the education sector is moving at an alarming rate; students receive lectures online, and staff performs their work outside the university campuses. This has been made possible through the utilization of computer applications, communication and collaboration tools. The adoption of virtual work in Nigerian education sector will help in solving some of the challenges confronting Nigerian universities such as inadequate hostel accommodation for students often resulting in overcrowding in students’ rooms, long time taken by staff to commute to and from work daily due to non-availability of houses within the university campus, traffic congestion and vehicular emission within the university campus and environ, most especially during peak hours due to increased private vehicle usage by both staff and students. Notwithstanding the benefits that Nigerian universities can derive from virtual workplace implementation, research on virtual workplace in Nigeria has been limited. There is currently a dearth of theoretical and empirical research as regards the planning and implementation of a virtual workplace in Nigeria. The lack of a virtual workplace implementation framework in Nigeria might hinder the uptake of this emerging work process in the country. Therefore, a suitable framework specifically tailored towards the successful implementation of a virtual workplace in Nigerian Universities was proposed. The framework is structured into two main components namely: virtual workplace implementation process, and the university virtual workplace application architecture. The proposed framework for virtual workplace implementation in Nigerian universities highlights key steps, barriers and the required technological tools. Finally, the developed framework will facilitate the implementation of virtual workplace in Nigerian Universities.
Keywords: Framework, Nigerian Universities, remote work, telecommuting, teleworking, virtual workplace.
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