The Secret to Remote Work — Results of a Case Study with Dyadic Interviews

Abstract

Remote workers can offer significant benefits, but many organizations that have tried this approach have failed because they do not entirely understand these workers and their work environment. Based on the remote working concept of a large global information and communication technology (ICT) company, in our case study containing dyadic interviews (i.e., pairs of a manager and an employee), we consider the positive and negative aspects of remote work and strive to find out how these workers adapt to their work environment. In particular, we scrutinize the work life of remote workers, as well as the opinions of their managers regarding social and workplace isolation, self-determination, collegial support, work opportunities, as well as the productivity and obligations towards their employer. The findings reveal that remote workers have different coping mechanisms, but most have a high degree of autonomy. Additionally, many lack social contacts and feel a certain degree of isolation. Thus, not everyone who works remotely likes it.