Technological developments over the last thirty years increasingly shaped the means by which we recruit, select and appraise employees. Today, technology supports more flexible and geographically dispersed working modes: From teleworkers, to virtual workers, to e-interns (also known as virtual interns). The current article describes how developments in e-HRM and changes in employment forms contribute to the development and increasing popularity of e-internships (better known as virtual internships) amongst small and medium-sized enterprises. In this paper, we reflect on the rise of e-internships across different countries and relate this to e-HRM and technological advances. We explore the opportunities and challenges. These include developing effective global talent and knowledge management practices, managing diversity as well as intellectual and social capital. We furthermore link the employment of e-internship practices to strategic organizational goals and learning. In the final section, we also critically reflect on the high investment required for e-internships to succeed. The discussion on e-internships is set in the literature on e-HRM, virtual teams and knowledge management, which is furthermore supported by interviews conducted with e-interns or internship managers. Keywords: e-internships, virtual internships, computer-mediated communication

中文翻译：

---

小步走向全球

过去三十年的技术发展越来越影响我们招聘、选择和评估员工的方式。今天，技术支持更灵活和地理上分散的工作模式：从远程工作者到虚拟工作者，再到电子实习生（也称为虚拟实习生）。当前文章描述了电子人力资源管理的发展和就业形式的变化如何促进电子实习（更好地称为虚拟实习）在中小企业中的发展和日益普及。在本文中，我们反思了不同国家电子实习的兴起，并将其与电子人力资源管理和技术进步联系起来。我们探索机遇和挑战。这些包括开发有效的全球人才和知识管理实践，管理多样性以及智力和社会资本。我们还将电子实习实践的使用与战略组织目标和学习联系起来。在最后一部分，我们还批判性地反思了电子实习取得成功所需的高投资。关于电子实习的讨论是在关于电子 HRM、虚拟团队和知识管理的文献中进行的，这还得到了对电子实习生或实习经理的采访的支持。关键词：电子实习，虚拟实习，以计算机为媒介的交流 关于电子实习的讨论是在关于电子 HRM、虚拟团队和知识管理的文献中进行的，这还得到了对电子实习生或实习经理的采访的支持。关键词：电子实习，虚拟实习，以计算机为媒介的交流 关于电子实习的讨论是在关于电子 HRM、虚拟团队和知识管理的文献中进行的，这还得到了对电子实习生或实习经理的采访的支持。关键词：电子实习，虚拟实习，以计算机为媒介的交流