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Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Ward van Zoonen

    (Amsterdam School of Communication Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, 1018 WV Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Anu Sivunen

    (Department of Language and Communication Studies, University of Jyväskylä, Seminaarinkatu 15, 40014 Jyväskylä, Finland)

  • Kirsimarja Blomqvist

    (School of Business and Management, LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34, 53850 Lappeenranta, Finland)

  • Thomas Olsson

    (Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University, Kalevantie 4, 33100 Tampere, Finland)

  • Annina Ropponen

    (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, 40, 00032 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Kaisa Henttonen

    (UEF Business School, Kuopio Campus, University of Eastern Finland, 1627, 70211 Joensuu, Finland)

  • Matti Vartiainen

    (Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Aalto University, Maarintie 8, 00076 Aalto, Finland)

Abstract

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted when, where, and how employees work. Drawing on a sample of 5452 Finnish employees, this study explores the factors associated with employees’ abrupt adjustment to remote work. Specifically, this study examines structural factors (i.e., work independence and the clarity of job criteria), relational factors (i.e., interpersonal trust and social isolation), contextual factors of work (i.e., change in work location and perceived disruption), and communication dynamics (i.e., organizational communication quality and communication technology use (CTU)) as mechanisms underlying adjustment to remote work. The findings demonstrate that structural and contextual factors are important predictors of adjustment and that these relationships are moderated by communication quality and CTU. Contrary to previous research, trust in peers and supervisors does not support adjustment to remote work. We discuss the implications of these findings for practice during and beyond times of crisis.

Suggested Citation

  • Ward van Zoonen & Anu Sivunen & Kirsimarja Blomqvist & Thomas Olsson & Annina Ropponen & Kaisa Henttonen & Matti Vartiainen, 2021. "Factors Influencing Adjustment to Remote Work: Employees’ Initial Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6966-:d:584754
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Carlos Dávila Morán, 2023. "Influence of Remote Work on the Work Stress of Workers in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-24, August.
    2. Iudith ANCI KIS & Alecxandrina DEACONU & Adela JANSEN, 2021. "Research Regarding The Preference Of Way Of Working In Covid-19 Crisis Times," Proceedings of the INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(1), pages 757-769, November.
    3. Jose M. León-Pérez & Mindy K. Shoss & Aristides I. Ferreira & Gabriele Giorgi, 2021. "Emerging Issues in Occupational Health Psychology," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-4, November.
    4. Ruohan Wu, 2023. "Contingent impacts of COVID relief policies under global value chain shortage," Economics of Transition and Institutional Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 877-914, October.
    5. Ruohan Wu, 2023. "COVID‐19's impacts on business activities and female workers: Empirical evidence from global developing economies," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 35(1), pages 163-197, January.
    6. Alfred Presbitero & John Jamir Benzon R. Aruta, 2024. "Reducing employee burnout in the context of a global crisis and remote work: focusing on quality of leader–member exchange, trust in leader and organizational identification," Asian Business & Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(1), pages 32-54, February.

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