Organizations are currently facing revolutionary changes as they incorporate new communication and information technology as well as virtual reality. The so called virtual organization (VO) has explored these new potentialities to the maximum extent, basing its structure and operation on technological innovations that gives rise to truly sui generis characteristics. In this paper we seek to highlight these distinct characteristics studying two cases (Altavista and Amazon Books). We follow a specific analysis protocol with six analytical categories: virtual processes, physical installations, client services, fractality, trust and organizational learning. Data were gathered by direct observation on the corporations web sites, direct correspondence by mail and e-mail, data files, as well as technical literature and other media in general. Results clearly indicate the presence of the investigated characteristics, forming the operational base of the corporations analyzed. The protocol used in the study has proved its value to analyze this kind of organizations.
Cyber space; virtual organizations; case study
