Decision Factors for Remote Work Adoption: Advantages, Disadvantages, Driving Forces and Challenges

Abstract

Facing one of the most challenging pandemics for organizational modus operandi (COVID-19), organizations are struggling for operational and strategic support. The adoption of remote work (RW) is increasing. For economic reasons, competitive advantage, or even as a pandemic response (business continuity plan), RW is a domain worth further investigation. However, the literature lacks insight regarding RW adoption. A design science research methodology was adopted, including a systematic literature review to elicit RW advantages, disadvantages, challenges and driving forces, as well as their relation. To evaluate and demonstrate findings, 129 qualitative interviews were performed with RW professionals. In the end, 57 decision factors were elicited, and 16 relations were validated. The authors concluded that cost-reduction and flexibility to promote work–life balance is the most positive outputs, while communication and technical problems, as well as management issues, are what most concerns professionals. Moreover, positive relations are more recognized among professionals over negative ones.

Structure of Remote Work in Public Education: A Rapid Scoping Review

“…The lack of a deliberate design in remote work and work flow (Sethi & Saini, 2020) has caused problems throughout schools and resulted in knowledge fragmentation (Ferreira et al, 2021). Loneliness, though mediated by control of time, remains a major problem beyond supervision (Buchanan et al, 2021).…”

Investigating Alderfer’s Work Motivation Theory to Explore Work Burnout

“…Long periods of time looking at the computer screen may affect health such as blurred vision, dry eyes and neck pain. Looking at a positive insight reported by Ferreira, Pereira, Bianchi, and da Silva (2021) working online provided flexibility to the workers and helped them to achieve a better work life balance by allowing them to have better management to create their own schedules, which leads to increased job satisfaction. In fact, they also have flexibility in choosing a place to work in order to create a positive ambience and motivate themselves to get the work done according to their own schedule.…”

Local vs. Avatar Robot: Performance and Perceived Workload of Service Encounters in Public Space

“…Remote work has many benefits for both employees and companies, including a better work-life balance for employees ( Ferreira et al, 2021 ), increased productivity ( Bloom et al, 2014 ; Hill et al, 2006 ; Ferreira et al, 2021 ), higher employee retention, greater commitment to employing organizations ( Golden, 2006 ; Golden and Eddleston, 2020 ), a wider talent pool ( Kurkland and Bailey, 1999 ), and prevention of the spread of infectious diseases ( Ferreira et al, 2021 ). In particular, location-based businesses such as retail, which may be restricted by government regulations and authorities from communicating with customers in their facilities to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have recently been exploring methods and practices of remote work ( Kim, 2020 ).…”