Remote working and employee engagement: A qualitative study of British workers during the pandemic
Article
Adisa, T., Ogbonnaya, C. and Adekoya, O. D. 2021. Remote working and employee engagement: A qualitative study of British workers during the pandemic. Information Technology and People. 36 (5), pp. 1835-1850. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-12-2020-0850
Authors | Adisa, T., Ogbonnaya, C. and Adekoya, O. D. |
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Abstract | Purpose – Through the lens of Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, this study explores how remote working inhibits employee engagement. We offer a fresh perspective on the most salient work- and nonwork-related risk factors that make remote working particularly challenging in the context of Covid-19. Design/methodology/approach – We use data from semi-structured interviews with thirty two employees working from home during the Covid-19 lockdown. Based on our interpretivist philosophical approach, we offer new insights on how employees can optimize work- and nonwork-related experiences when working remotely. Findings – We show that the sudden transition from in-person to online modes of working during the pandemic brought about work intensification, online presenteeism, employment insecurity, and poor adaptation to new ways of working from home. These stress factors are capable of depleting vital social and personal resources, thereby impacting negatively on employee engagement levels. Practical Implications – Employers, leaders, and human resource teams should be more thoughtful about the risks and challenges employees face when working from home. They must ensure employees are properly equipped with the relevant resources and support to perform their jobs more effectively. Originality/value – While previous research has focused on the benefits of remote working, the current study explores how it might be detrimental for employee engagement during a pandemic. The study provides new evidence on the most salient risks and challenges faced by remote workers, and how the unique Covid-19 context has made them more produced. |
Journal | Information Technology and People |
Journal citation | 36 (5), pp. 1835-1850 |
ISSN | 0959-3845 |
Year | 2021 |
Publisher | Emerald Publishing Limited |
Accepted author manuscript | License File Access Level Anyone |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-12-2020-0850 |
Publication dates | |
Online | 30 Aug 2021 |
19 Jul 2023 | |
Publication process dates | |
Accepted | 18 Jun 2021 |
Deposited | 18 Jun 2021 |
Copyright holder | © 2021 Emerald Publishing Limited |
Copyright information | This author accepted manuscript is deposited under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC) licence. This means that anyone may distribute, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial purposes, subject to full attribution. If you wish to use this manuscript for commercial purposes, please contact permissions@emerald.com. |
https://repository.uel.ac.uk/item/897w9
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