Virtual enterprise: formation, nature and advantages

The article deals with urgent and significant matters of economic theory and practice in development and long-term outlook for creation of virtual enterprises as objects of management in information-based economy. It looks at origins and evolutionary stages of telecommuting with description of main periods in development of telecommuting in the West. The article offers theoretical analysis of concepts and gist of virtual enterprise and points out several researchers holding different opinions on novelty of virtual enterprises. Advantages of virtual enterprises are assessed from marketing and practical viewpoints. The main emphasis is on merits and advantages of virtual enterprises in the global business environment. Despite numerous publications on this subject the author endeavours to take original approach to definition of virtual organization, internal and external features of its environment, advantages of operating such organization and other problems.

Information Technology Development, Virtual Enterprise, Telework, Virtuality, Internet