What to look for to increase work added value? Remote work and perceived productivity: A study in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18559/ref.2022.1.4Keywords:
remote work, productivity, work digitisation, labour mobility, organisationAbstract
The main aim of the research is to identify factors determining perceived productivity of individual workers who perform their job remotely and to measure the importance of factors determining labour productivity. The methodology used in the study is based on the analysis of the literature and conclusions drawn from a survey conducted in Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary (a total sample of 450 units). Logistic regression and the k-means method were used in the statistical analysis. They allow measuring the relationship between the strength of a stimulus represented by the percentage of cases showing a specific response on how productivity is verified by the stimulus. Moreover, they bring the possibility to group factors in clusters representing workers with different sets of productivity factors. Results show that across the study sample, high stress, low employee control, and limited communication with managers minimise the growth of remote work productivity, since social relationships at work are correlated with productivity. Nonetheless, work organisation traits such as proper work environment, travel cost savings, technical assistance access, and a fast Internet connection remain positively related to remote work productivity.
Downloads
References
Aboelmaged, M. G., & El Subbaugh, S.M. (2012). Factors influencing perceived productivity of Egyptian teleworkers: An empirical study Measuring Business Excellence. Bradford, 16 (2), 3-22. DOI:10.1108/13683041211230285 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/13683041211230285
View in Google Scholar
Allen, T.D., Golden, T.D., & Shockley, K.M. (2015). How Effective Is Telecommuting? Assessing the Status of Our Scientific Findings. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(2), 40–68. https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615593273 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1529100615593273
View in Google Scholar
Andrews, D., & Hansell D. (2021). Productivity-Enhancing Labour Reallocation in Australia Economic Record, 97(317), 157-169. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4932.12601 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-4932.12601
View in Google Scholar
Apanowicz, J. (2002). Metodologia ogólna. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from https://wsaib.pl/images/files/E-Publikacje/MO.pdf
View in Google Scholar
Bao, L., Li, T., Xia, X., Zhu, K., Li, H., & Yang, X. (2020). How does Working from Home Affect Developer Productivity?--A Case Study of Baidu During COVID-19 Pandemic. arXiv preprint arXiv:2005.13167.
View in Google Scholar
Baruch, Y., & Nicholson, N. (1997). Home, sweet work: Requirements for effective home working. Journal of General Management, 23(2), 15-30. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/030630709702300202
View in Google Scholar
Bentley, T.A., Teo, S.T.T., McLeod, L., Tan, F., Bosua, R., & Gloet, M. (2016). The role of organisational support in teleworker wellbeing: A socio-technical systems approach. Applied Ergonomics, 52, 207-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.07.019 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apergo.2015.07.019
View in Google Scholar
Bernstein, E., Blunden, H., Brodsky, A., Sohn, W., & Waber, B. (2020). The implications of working without an office. Special Issue on The New Reality of WFH: Harvard Business Review.
View in Google Scholar
Bhattacherjee, A. (2012). Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices. Retrieved October 26, 2021, from http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/oa_textbooks/3
View in Google Scholar
Blasi, J. R., & Kruse, D. L. (2006). U.S. high-performance work practices at Century’s end, Industrial Relations, 45 (4 ), 547–578. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-232X.2006.00443.x
View in Google Scholar
Bryant, L. (2021). Lateral layers and loops: Why managers need to curate the fabric of the digital firm in a post-lockdown world. Business Information Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/02663821211035039 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/02663821211035039
View in Google Scholar
Butler, J., Czerwinski, M., Iqbal, S., Jaffe, S., Nowak, K., Peloquin, E., & Yang, L. (2021). Personal Productivity and Well-being. New Future of Work Report, Cornell University Library, Ithaca.
View in Google Scholar
Cannito, M., & Scavarda, A. (2020). Childcare and Remote Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Ideal Worker Model, Parenthood and Gender Inequalities in Italy. Italian Sociological Review, 10(3), 801-820.
View in Google Scholar
Charalampous, M., Grant, C.A., Tramontano, C., & Michailidis, E. (2019). Systematically reviewing remote e-workers’ well-being at work: a multidimensional approach. European Journal of Work and Organizational Psychology, 28(1), 51-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2018.1541886 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2018.1541886
View in Google Scholar
Choudhury P., Foroughi C., & Larson B. (2020). Work-from-anywhere: The productivity effects of geographic flexibility, Strategic Management Journal, 42(4), 655-683. https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3251 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3251
View in Google Scholar
Chung, H., Birkett, H., Forbes, S., & Seo, H. (2021). Covid-19, Flexible Working, and Implications for Gender Equality in the United Kingdom. Gender & Society, 35(2), 218-232. https://doi.org/10.1177/08912432211001304 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/08912432211001304
View in Google Scholar
Davidescu A.A.M., Apostu S.A., Strat V.A., Scrădeanu A.I., Zgură I.D., Horga M.G. (2021). The impact of teleworking on the romanians employees' job satisfaction. An empirical evidence based on multiple correspondence analysis (mca) and logistic regression Amfiteatru Economic, 23(58), 637-653. https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2021/58/637 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24818/EA/2021/58/637
View in Google Scholar
Davidescu, A.A., Apostu, S., Paul, A. & Casuneanu, I. (2020), Work Flexibility, Job Satisfaction, and Job Performance among Romanian Employees—Implications for Sustainable Human Resource Management, Sustainability, vol. 12(15), 6086. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12156086
View in Google Scholar
Eurofound (2021). Retrieved August 20, 2021, from https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/topic/digitalisation.
View in Google Scholar
Evans, A.M, Meyers, M.Ch., Van De Calseyde, P., & Stavrova, O. (2021). Extroversion and Conscientiousness Predict Deteriorating Job Outcomes During the COVID-19 Transition to Enforced Remote Work. Social Psychological and Personality Science, Original Manuscript. https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211039092 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/19485506211039092
View in Google Scholar
Filipetti A., & Peyrache A. (2013). Is the Convergence Party Over? Labour Productivity and the Technology Gap in Europe, Journal of Common Market Studies, 51(6), 1006-1022. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12066 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcms.12066
View in Google Scholar
Galanti, T., Guidetti, G., Mazzei, E., Zappalà, S., & Toscano, F. (2021). Work From Home During the COVID-19 Outbreak: The Impact on Employees' Remote Work Productivity, Engagement, and Stress. Journal of occupational and environmental medicine, 63(7), https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002236 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0000000000002236
View in Google Scholar
Ganguly, K.K., Tahsin, N., Fuad, M.M.N., Ahammed, T., Asad, M., Huq, S.F., A T M Fazlay, R., & Sakib, K. (2020). Impact on the Productivity of Remotely Working IT Professionals of Bangladesh during the Coronavirus Disease 2019. Cornell University Library, Ithaca.
View in Google Scholar
Grant, C.A., Wallace, L.M., & Spurgeon, P.C. (2013). An exploration of the psychological factors affecting remote e-worker’s job effectiveness, well-being and work-life balance. Employee Relations, 35(5), 527–546. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ER-08-2012-0059
View in Google Scholar
Hardy, P., Leandro, S.M., & Fontanari, J.F. (2020). The paradox of productivity during quarantine: an agent-based simulation. Cornell University Library, Ithaca. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/s10051-020-00016-4
View in Google Scholar
Hughes J. (2008). The High-Performance Paradigm: A Review and Evaluation, Learning as Work Research Paper, No. 16. Retrieved on October 26, 2021, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/242107746_The_High-Performance_Paradigm_A_Review_and_Evaluation
View in Google Scholar
Judzik D., & Sala H. (2013). Productivity, deunionization and trade: Wage effects and labour share implications, International Labour Review, 152(2), 205-236. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2013.00178.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2013.00178.x
View in Google Scholar
Karl, K.A., Peluchette, J.V., & Aghakhani N. (2021). Virtual Work Meetings During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Good, Bad, and Ugly. Small Group Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/10464964211015286 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10464964211015286
View in Google Scholar
Kelliher, C., & Anderson, D. (2010). Doing more with less? Flexible working practices and the intensification of work. Human Relations, 63(1), 83-106. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709349199 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726709349199
View in Google Scholar
Kordalska, A.,& Olczyk, A. (2020). What fosters firm-level labour productivity in Eastern European and Central Asian countries?, Bank i Kredyt 51(1), 91-120.
View in Google Scholar
Krajcsák, Z., & Kozák, A. (2022). The moderating role of remote work in the relationship between organizational culture and OCB: Case studies from the financial sector. Journal of Advances in Management Research, 19(2), 300-315. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-07-2021-0247. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JAMR-07-2021-0247
View in Google Scholar
Kreyer, N., Pousttchi, K., & Turowski, K. (2003). Mobile Payment Procedures: Scope and Characteristics. E-Service Journal, 2(3), 7–22. https://doi.org/10.2979/esj.2003.2.3.7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/esj.2004.0005
View in Google Scholar
Krugman, P. (1997). In Praise of Cheap Labor. Bad jobs at bad wages are better than no jobs at all. Retrieved October 25, 2021, from https://slate.com/business/1997/03/in-praise-of-cheap-labor.html
View in Google Scholar
Matthews, B., See, Z.S., & Day, J. (2020). Crisis and extended realities: remote presence in the time of COVID-19. Media International Australia, 178(1), 198-209. https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X20967165 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1329878X20967165
View in Google Scholar
Miele F., & Tirabeni L. (2020). Digital technologies and power dynamics in the organization: A conceptual review of remote working and wearable technologies at work, Sociology Compass, 14(6), 12795. https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12795 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/soc4.12795
View in Google Scholar
Muhanguzi S., & Kyobe M. (2017). Aligning Work Practices, Mobile Technology and Strategy for Performance Improvement: The Case of SMEs in Uganda, The Electronic Journal of Information Systems in Developing Countries, 60(1), 1-22. https://10.1002/j.1681-4835.2014.tb00423.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1681-4835.2014.tb00423.x
View in Google Scholar
Mussini M. (2018). A spatial decomposition of the shift-share components of labour productivity inequality in Italy, Papers in Regional Science Volume 98, Issue 1, https://10.1111/pirs.12362 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pirs.12362
View in Google Scholar
Nakrošienė, A., Bučiūnienė, I., & Goštautaitė, B. (2019). Working from home: characteristics and outcomes of telework, International Journal of Manpower, 40 (1), 87-101. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2017-0172 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJM-07-2017-0172
View in Google Scholar
OECD, (2021). Building inclusive labour markets: Active labour market policies for the most vulnerable groups. Retrieved October 30, 2021 from https://www.oecd.org/coronavirus/policy-responses/building-inclusive-labour-markets-active-labour-market-policies-for-the-most-vulnerable-groups-607662d9/
View in Google Scholar
Osterman P. (1999). Securing Prosperity. New Rules for a New Economy, Journal of Labour and Society, 3(4), 5-8. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-4580.1999.00005.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-4580.1999.00005.x
View in Google Scholar
Park, S., Jeong, S., & Chai, D.S. (2021). Remote e-Workers’ Psychological Well-being and Career Development in the Era of COVID-19: Challenges, Success Factors, and the Roles of HRD Professionals. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 23(3), 222-236. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223211017849
View in Google Scholar
Patel V., Chesmore A., Legner M., & Pandey S. (2021). Trends in Workplace Wearable Technologies and Connected-Worker Solutions for Next-Generation Occupational Safety, Health, and Productivity, Advanced Intelligent Systems Early View, https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202100099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/aisy.202100099
View in Google Scholar
Phillips, S. (2020). Working through the pandemic: Accelerating the transition to remote working. Business Information Review, 37(3), 129-134. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266382120953087 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0266382120953087
View in Google Scholar
Pokojski, Z., Kister, A., & Lipowski, M. (2022). Remote work efficiency from the employers’ Perspective—What’s next? Sustainability, 14(7), 4220. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074220 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su14074220
View in Google Scholar
Procter, S. (2008). New forms of work and the high performance paradigm, The SAGE Handbook of Industrial Relations. http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781849200431.n8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849200431.n8
View in Google Scholar
O’Neill, T.A., Hambley, L.A., & Bercovich, A. (2014). Prediction of cyberslacking when employees are working away from the office. Computers in Human Behavior, 34, 291–298. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.015Osterman, P. (1999). Securing Prosperity: The American Labor Market, How It Has Changed, and What To Do About It. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2014.02.015
View in Google Scholar
Reuschke, D., & Felstead, A. (2020). Changing workplace geographies in the COVID-19 crisis. Dialogues in Human Geography, 10(2), 208-212. https://doi.org/10.1177/2043820620934249 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/2043820620934249
View in Google Scholar
Sablok, G., Stanton, P., Bartram, T., Burgess, J. & Boyle, B. (2017), Human resource development practices, managers and multinational enterprises in Australia, Education & Training, 59(5), 483-501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/ET-02-2016-0023
View in Google Scholar
Sánchez, A.M., Pérez, M.P., Carnicer, P. L., & Jiménez, M.J.V. (2007). Teleworking and workplace flexibility: a study of impact on firm performance", Personnel Review, 36(1), 42-64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480710716713
View in Google Scholar
Sandoval-Reyes, J., Idrovo-Carlier, S., & Duque-Oliva, E. (2021). Remote Work, Work Stress, and Work–Life during Pandemic Times: A Latin America Situation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(13), 7069. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137069
View in Google Scholar
Snell, J.J. (2000), External labor markets: Job inclusion structures and processes, Louisiana Tech University. ProQuest Dissertations Publishing.
View in Google Scholar
Tanpipat, W., Lim, H.W., & Deng, X. (2021). Implementing Remote Working Policy in Corporate Offices in Thailand: Strategic Facility Management Perspective. Sustainability, 13(3), 1284. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031284 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su13031284
View in Google Scholar
Torten, R., Reaiche, C., & Caraballo, E.L. (2016). Teleworking in the New Milleneum. The Journal of Developing Areas, 50 (5), 317-326. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/jda.2016.0060
View in Google Scholar
Toscano, F., & Zappalà, S. (2020). Social Isolation and Stress as Predictors of Productivity Perception and Remote Work Satisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Role of Concern about the Virus in a Moderated Double Mediation, Sustainability, 12 (23), 9804. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su12239804
View in Google Scholar
Wang, B., Liu, Y., Qian, J., & Parker, S.K. (2020). Achieving Effective Remote Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Work Design Perspective. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12290 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12290
View in Google Scholar
Wamboe E., Adekola A., & Sergi B. (2014). ICTs and labour productivity growth in sub-Saharan Africa, International Labour Review, 155(2), 231-252. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2014.00021.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1564-913X.2014.00021.x
View in Google Scholar
Yarberry, S., & Sims, C. (2021). The Impact of COVID-19-Prompted Virtual/Remote Work Environments on Employees’ Career Development: Social Learning Theory, Belongingness, and Self-Empowerment. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 23(3), 237-252. https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223211017850 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223211017850
View in Google Scholar
Yi, J. & Ifft, J. (2019), Labor-use efficiency and New York dairy farm financial performance, Agricultural Finance Review, 79(5), 646-665. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/AFR-02-2019-0016
View in Google Scholar
Yoon, H.J., Chang, Y., Sadique, F., & Al Balushi, I. (2021). Mechanisms for Hopeful Employee Career Development in COVID-19: A Hope-Action Theory Perspective. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 23(3), 203-221. https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223211017848 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15234223211017848
View in Google Scholar
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2022 Ryszard Barczyk, Joanna Spychała, Zuzanna Urbanowicz , Agnieszka Ziomek
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The Research Papers in Economics and Finance (REF) is committed to open access. All of the REF` s paper are free to access immediately from the date of publication. There are no author charges, known as APCs, before release, and no charge for any reader to download articles.
The Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0) applies to articles published in Research Papers in Economics and Finance from Vol. 4, No. 3, 2020 to present. This license is acceptable for Free Cultural Works. You are free to share and adapt. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
The Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license (CC BY-NC 4.0) applies to articles published in Research Papers in Economics and Finance up to Vol. 4, No. 2, 2020 inclusive. You are free to share and adapt. You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and indicate if changes were made. You may not use the material for commercial purposes.
How to Cite
EDITORIAL OFFICE: Department of Business Activity and Economic Policy, Instittue of Economics, Poznań University of Economics and Business, al. Niepodległości 10, 61-875 Poznań, Poland, room 621a Alltum, 