Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ward van Zoonen, Anu Sivunen, Kirsimarja Blomqvist, Thomas Olsson, Annina Ropponen, Kaisa Henttonen and Matti Vartiainen
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Ward van Zoonen: Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Anu Sivunen: Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Seminaarinkatu 15, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland
Kirsimarja Blomqvist: School of Business and Management, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland
Thomas Olsson: Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, Kalevantie 4, 33100 Tampere, Finland
Annina Ropponen: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland
Kaisa Henttonen: UEF Business School, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, 1627, 70211 Joensuu, Finland
Matti Vartiainen: Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Aalto University, Maarintie 8, 00076 Aalto, Finland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted when, where, and how employees work. Drawing on a sample of 5452 Finnish employees, this study explores the factors associated with employees’ abrupt adjustment to remote work. Specifically, this study examines structural factors (i.e., work independence and the clarity of job criteria), relational factors (i.e., interpersonal trust and social isolation), contextual factors of work (i.e., change in work location and perceived disruption), and communication dynamics (i.e., organizational communication quality and communication technology use (CTU)) as mechanisms underlying adjustment to remote work. The findings demonstrate that structural and contextual factors are important predictors of adjustment and that these relationships are moderated by communication quality and CTU. Contrary to previous research, trust in peers and supervisors does not support adjustment to remote work. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice during and beyond times of crisis.

Keywords: work adjustment; remote work; structural factors; relational factors; contextual factors; COVID-19 pandemic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (11)

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