Exploring the remote work challenges in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: review and application model

Abstract

PurposeRemote work (RW) literature is a megatrend in HRM literature, and the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of RW as a concept and an organisational practice. Given the large number of papers being published on remote work, there is a need for a critical review of the extant literature using bibliometric analysis. This paper examines the literature on remote working to identify the factors crucial for managing a remote workforce. This study uses the complex adaptive systems theory as a foundation to build a framework that organisations can use to manage their remote workforce, focusing on three outcomes: employee engagement, collaboration and organisational agility.Design/methodology/approachBibliometric analysis was conducted on the research published in Scopus journal in the area of remote work, followed by critical literature analysis.FindingsThe bibliometric analysis identified five clusters that reflect five organisational factors which the management can align to achieve the desired outcomes of engagement, collaboration and agility: technology orientation, leadership, HRM practices, external processes and organisational culture. The present findings have important implications for managing the remote workforce.Originality/valueThe five factors were mapped to propose a conceptual model on engaging individual employees, fostering team collaboration and building organisational agility while working remotely. We also propose an application model for using technology to achieve the outcomes of engagement, collaboration and agility in the organisation. Practitioners could use this framework to focus on the factors that can create a conducive environment to improve work efficiency in a remote workforce.

The effect of the method of remote work on the supply and supply chains for government services: applied study on the Directorate of Social Solidarity in Cairo governorate

“…The method of remote work is one of the results of Corona pandemic as the study results (Arunprasad et al, 2022) indicate the applying of this type of work that depends on doing the functions in locations rather than the headquarter, realize the cooperation and flexibility in the employees' performance, and the making use of technology in doing job easily. The study (Jeske, 2022) points out that, the remote work increases the cooperation and welfare level among the employees.…”

“…Thus, the organizations have shifted to the method of remote work under these challenges as the communication occurs in the virtual world (Szulc et al, 2022). This method depends on doing the functions in locations rather than the headquarter, realizes the cooperation and flexibility in the employees' performance, the making use of technology in doing jobs easily, and controlling the management and operations (Arunprasad et al, 2022).The supply and supply chains are ones of the significant functions influenced by the new global challenges in terms of transferring to the method remote work. It significantly affects the relationship between the inputs and outputs and its distributions, and the relationship between suppliers, customers and distributers (Meehan, J.…”

“…Thus, the organizations have shifted to the method of remote work under these challenges as the communication occurs in the virtual world (Szulc et al, 2022). This method depends on doing the functions in locations rather than the headquarter, realizes the cooperation and flexibility in the employees' performance, the making use of technology in doing jobs easily, and controlling the management and operations (Arunprasad et al, 2022).…”

Innovative Approaches to Management of Virtual Teams Leading to Reliability and Retention

“…Appropriate approaches to human resource management (Bulińska-Stangrecka and Bagieńska, 2019), knowledge sharing and collaborative culture (Kim, Billinghurst and Lee, 2018) contribute to building a sustainable competitive advantage through innovation management. These aspects also need to be addressed in the context of remote work management and appropriate systems and procedures need to be designed and implemented (Arunprasad et al, 2022).…”

Práticas de gestão de recursos humanos e o trabalho em home office e híbrido

“…Consequentemente, a área de RH ganhou grande destaque e seus dirigentes se depararam com a responsabilidade de tomar as decisões adequadas e assertivas para manter a sustentabilidade dos negócios e a saúde e bem-estar dos trabalhadores (Collings et al, 2021;Cooke et al, 2020). Adicionalmente, identificou-se o potencial de RH no fornecimento de soluções e suporte que estimulem comportamentos nos trabalhadores que minimizem as consequências organizacionais de eventos da magnitude da pandemia (Straus et al, 2022), e a relevância de práticas de RH no engajamento de profissionais que trabalham de forma virtual (Arunprasad et al, 2022). Tudo isso em meio a um cenário no qual grande parte das lideranças possuía pouca ou nenhuma experiência em gerenciar equipes remotas (Caligiuri et al, 2020).…”