Implications of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Organization of Remote Work in IT Companies: The Managers’ Perspective

Michał Błaszczyk (), Milan Popović (), Karolina Zajdel and Radosław Zajdel
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Michał Błaszczyk: Department of Computer Science in Economics and Medicine, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-255 Lodz, Poland
Milan Popović: Department of Computer Science in Economics and Medicine, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-255 Lodz, Poland
Karolina Zajdel: Department of Medical Informatics and Statistics, Medical University of Lodz, 90-419 Lodz, Poland
Radosław Zajdel: Department of Computer Science in Economics and Medicine, Faculty of Economics and Sociology, University of Lodz, 90-255 Lodz, Poland

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 15, 1-17

Abstract: The study analyses the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on work models and explores managerial perspectives on remote work compared to stationary work. A survey was conducted among companies, resulting in a sample of respondents. An additional research methodology used to validate the hypotheses was a market basket analysis. The findings indicate a significant change in work models, with a majority of companies adopting fully remote work or hybrid models with remote work as the predominant mode. Managers generally perceive remote work as having a significantly worse outcome compared to stationary work. Concerns about remote work include difficulties in supervising remote workers, maintaining effective communication with the team, and potential negative effects on employee motivation and well-being due to limited interaction. Preferences for work models varied, with a notable proportion favoring fully remote work or hybrid models. Reasons for considering a long-term change to stationary or remote work include coordination needs, control and supervision requirements, physical presence demands, and impacts on organizational culture and atmosphere. Benefits of remote work include employee flexibility, talent attraction, and alignment with employee demands and the labor market. This study provides insights into the evolving work landscape and informs strategies for effectively managing remote work environments.

Keywords: remote work; IT; managers; work organization; COVID-19 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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