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Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls

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  • Groen, Bianca A.C.
  • van Triest, Sander P.
  • Coers, Michael
  • Wtenweerde, Neeke

Abstract

Flexible work arrangements present managers with challenges regarding how to manage employees using these arrangements. To date, little research has investigated how managers address these challenges. We investigate the relationship between the use of a specific implementation of flexible work (teleworking) and control system design, specifically the emphasis on output controls. Teleworking reduces the feasibility of monitoring employee behaviour as a control mechanism. Control theory suggests that this might be compensated by placing more emphasis on output controls. We conduct a survey (N = 897) among employees of a financial services institution, of whom 69% is allowed to telework. We find that among teleworking employees, the share of teleworking hours is positively related to the emphasis on output controls. However, employees who are allowed to telework report less emphasis on output controls by their manager relative to those not allowed to telework. We pose various directions for future research, which may help in explaining these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Groen, Bianca A.C. & van Triest, Sander P. & Coers, Michael & Wtenweerde, Neeke, 2018. "Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 727-735.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:36:y:2018:i:6:p:727-735
    DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2018.01.007
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    10. Asmussen, Katherine E. & Mondal, Aupal & Bhat, Chandra R. & Pendyala, Ram M., 2023. "On modeling future workplace location decisions: An analysis of Texas employees," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
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    17. Janusz Rymaniak & Katarzyna Lis & Vida Davidavičienė & Manuela Pérez-Pérez & Ángel Martínez-Sánchez, 2021. "From Stationary to Remote: Employee Risks at Pandemic Migration of Workplaces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-25, June.
    18. Müller, Monika & Huber, Christian & Messner, Martin, 2019. "Meaningful work at a distance: A case study in a hospital," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 719-729.
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    20. Krzysztof Kubiak & Agata Branowska, 2021. "The Concept of Improvements in Management of Public Administration Officials Working from Home in Selected Educational Units," European Research Studies Journal, European Research Studies Journal, vol. 0(Special 5), pages 257-268.
    21. Emilio Bisetti & Benjamin Tengelsen & Ariel Zetlin‐Jones, 2022. "Moral Hazard In Remote Teams," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(4), pages 1595-1623, November.
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