IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i15p11794-d1207673.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Benefits and Challenges of Teleworking for a Sustainable Future: Knowledge Gained through Experience in the Era of COVID-19

Author

Listed:
  • Ioanna Simeli

    (Department of Organisation Management, Marketing and Tourism, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Georgios Tsekouropoulos

    (Department of Organisation Management, Marketing and Tourism, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Anastasia Vasileiou

    (Department of Organisation Management, Marketing and Tourism, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Greta Hoxha

    (Department of Organisation Management, Marketing and Tourism, International Hellenic University, 57400 Thessaloniki, Greece)

Abstract

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, working from home has become the norm for millions of workers worldwide. The purpose of this research was to analyze the benefits and challenges of teleworking in the administrative sectors (except Telehealth Services) of Greek healthcare units with a view to harnessing the knowledge gained through experience, in order to create a frame for sustainable behaviors. Complex and dynamic changes, from both a technical and behavioral aspect, are required to implement teleworking. Therefore, a systematic literature review (SLR) as well as primary quantitative research were used as research methods. The purpose of the SLR was to identify the existing scientific literature. Then, combined with the results of the quantitative research, the data were analyzed, described, and interpreted, and then summarized in the conclusion. In addition, the research was conducted to identify the relationships between telecommuting and organizational behavior, in order to achieve sustainable development in businesses. Moreover, an important positive aspect of telework that emerged from this literature review is the creation of opportunities for potential direct or indirect linkages between telework and many sustainable development goals (SDGs), based on the fact that telework appears to be a community-friendly form of work. In summary, this research strongly suggests that leaders facilitate telecommuters to adopt green practices and volunteerism that can consequently contribute to the SDGs. However, in order to meet the challenges arising from unprecedented times, the leaders of the organizations should redesign their policies, while governments should focus on guaranteeing the rights and freedoms of the workers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ioanna Simeli & Georgios Tsekouropoulos & Anastasia Vasileiou & Greta Hoxha, 2023. "Benefits and Challenges of Teleworking for a Sustainable Future: Knowledge Gained through Experience in the Era of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-30, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11794-:d:1207673
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11794/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/15/11794/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eline Moens & Louis Lippens & Philippe Sterkens & Johannes Weytjens & Stijn Baert, 2022. "The COVID-19 crisis and telework: a research survey on experiences, expectations and hopes," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 23(4), pages 729-753, June.
    2. Klarin Tomislav, 2018. "The Concept of Sustainable Development: From its Beginning to the Contemporary Issues," Zagreb International Review of Economics and Business, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb, vol. 21(1), pages 67-94, May.
    3. Jean-Victor Alipour & Oliver Falck & Simone Schüller, 2020. "Homeoffice während der Pandemie und die Implikationen für eine Zeit nach der Krise," ifo Schnelldienst, ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich, vol. 73(07), pages 30-36, July.
    4. Hensher, David A. & Balbontin, Camila & Beck, Matthew J. & Wei, Edward, 2022. "The impact of working from home on modal commuting choice response during COVID-19: Implications for two metropolitan areas in Australia," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 155(C), pages 179-201.
    5. repec:eme:ws0000:00438020210418791 is not listed on IDEAS
    6. repec:bre:polcon:43092 is not listed on IDEAS
    7. Magnus Moglia & John Hopkins & Anne Bardoel, 2021. "Telework, Hybrid Work and the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals: Towards Policy Coherence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-28, August.
    8. Georgios Tsekouropoulos & Ourania Gkouna & Dimitrios Theocharis & Athanasios Gounas, 2022. "Innovative Sustainable Tourism Development and Entrepreneurship through Sports Events," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, April.
    9. Paul M. Leonardi, 2021. "COVID‐19 and the New Technologies of Organizing: Digital Exhaust, Digital Footprints, and Artificial Intelligence in the Wake of Remote Work," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(1), pages 249-253, January.
    10. Vasiliki Vrana, 2023. "Sustainable Tourism Development and Innovation: Recent Advances and Challenges," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-5, April.
    11. Monika Grzegorczyk & Mario Mariniello & Laura Nurski & Tom Schraepen, 2021. "Blending the physical and virtual- a hybrid model for the future of work," Bruegel Policy Contributions 43074, Bruegel.
    12. Andrew Hook & Victor Court & Benjamin K Sovacool & Steven Sorrell, 2020. "A Systematic Review of the Energy and Climate Impacts of Teleworking," Working Papers hal-03192905, HAL.
    13. Itzhak Harpaz, 2002. "Advantages and disadvantages of telecommuting for the individual, organization and society," Work Study, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 51(2), pages 74-80, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Alejandro Romero-Torres & Marie-Pierre Leroux & Marie-Douce Primeau & Julie Delisle & Thibaut Coulon, 2025. "Toward Sustainable Project Management Practices: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic Using the Most Significant Change Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-17, June.
    2. Anastasia Vasileiou & Eleni Sfakianaki & Georgios Tsekouropoulos, 2024. "Exploring Sustainability and Efficiency Improvements in Healthcare: A Qualitative Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-34, September.
    3. Greta Hoxha & Ioanna Simeli & Dimitrios Theocharis & Anastasia Vasileiou & Georgios Tsekouropoulos, 2024. "Sustainable Healthcare Quality and Job Satisfaction through Organizational Culture: Approaches and Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, April.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Georgios Tsekouropoulos & Anastasia Vasileiou & Greta Hoxha & Avraam Dimitriadis & Ioannis Zervas, 2023. "Sustainable Approaches to Medical Tourism: Strategies for Central Macedonia/Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-28, December.
    2. Paweł Ziemba & Mateusz Piwowarski & Kesra Nermend, 2023. "Remote Work in Post-Pandemic Reality—Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Teleconferencing Software," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-20, June.
    3. Roger Fouquet & Ralph Hippe, 2022. "Twin Transitions of Decarbonisation and Digitalisation: A Historical Perspective on Energy and Information in European Economies," Working Papers 08-22, Association Française de Cliométrie (AFC).
    4. Stephen Glackin & Magnus Moglia & Peter Newton, 2022. "Working from Home as a Catalyst for Urban Regeneration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Hang To Diem Tran & Minsook Kim, 2023. "Factors Influencing the Continued Intent to Use Virtual Interactive Platforms in Korean Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises for Remote and Hybrid Work," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-21, June.
    6. Magnus Moglia & Stephen Glackin & John L. Hopkins, 2022. "The Working-from-Home Natural Experiment in Sydney, Australia: A Theory of Planned Behaviour Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, October.
    7. Greta Hoxha & Ioanna Simeli & Dimitrios Theocharis & Anastasia Vasileiou & Georgios Tsekouropoulos, 2024. "Sustainable Healthcare Quality and Job Satisfaction through Organizational Culture: Approaches and Outcomes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-17, April.
    8. Mario Aguilar-Fernández & Graciela Salgado-Escobar & Luvis P. León-Romero & Brenda García-Jarquín & Misaela Francisco-Márquez, 2025. "A Three-Stage Process for Sustainable Telework Adoption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-21, October.
    9. Fouzeya M. Albastaki & Alaa M. Ubaid & Hamad Rashid, 2024. "Developing a Practical Framework for Applying the Work from Home Concept to Technical Jobs in Electricity Utilities Using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-24, May.
    10. Angelica Nicoleta Neculaesei & Sebastian Tocar, 2023. "Determinants of Perceived Performance during Telework: Evidence from Romania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-15, April.
    11. Jain, Taru & Currie, Graham & Aston, Laura, 2022. "COVID and working from home: Long-term impacts and psycho-social determinants," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 52-68.
    12. Hannah Villeneuve & Ahmed Abdeen & Maya Papineau & Sharane Simon & Cynthia Cruickshank & William O'Brien, 2020. "New insights on the energy impacts of telework," Carleton Economic Papers 20-20, Carleton University, Department of Economics.
    13. Ali Zackery & Joseph Amankwah-Amoah & Zahra Heidari Darani & Shiva Ghasemi, 2022. "COVID-19 Research in Business and Management: A Review and Future Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-32, August.
    14. Stephan Getzmann & Jan Digutsch & Thomas Kleinsorge, 2021. "COVID-19 Pandemic and Personality: Agreeable People Are More Stressed by the Feeling of Missing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-16, October.
    15. Jinjia Liang & Tomio Miwa & Takayuki Morikawa, 2023. "Preferences and Expectations of Japanese Employees toward Telecommuting Frequency in the Post-Pandemic Era," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-16, August.
    16. Ivan Faiella & Luciano Lavecchia, 2021. "Households' energy demand and the effects of carbon pricing in Italy," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 614, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.
    17. Burleyson, Casey D. & Rahman, Aowabin & Rice, Jennie S. & Smith, Amanda D. & Voisin, Nathalie, 2021. "Multiscale effects masked the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity demand in the United States," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    18. Tachia Chin & Yi Shi & Manlio Giudice & Jianwei Meng & Zeyu Xing, 2023. "Working from anywhere: yin–yang cognition paradoxes of knowledge sharing and hiding for developing careers in China," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    19. Flemming, Jana, 2023. "Folgen der Ausweitung mobiler Arbeit für die betriebliche Mitbestimmung: Thesen und Handlungsempfehlungen für die kollektive Interessenvertretung im Zuge einer zugespitzten Flexibilisierung der Arbeit," Discussion Papers, Research Group Globalization, Work, and Production SP III 2023-301, WZB Berlin Social Science Center.
    20. Kamran Khan & Thomas Henschel, 2024. "LCT-Based Framework for the Assessment of Sustainability: From the Perspective of Literature Review," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 175(3), pages 1-20, December.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:15:p:11794-:d:1207673. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.