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The Impact of Work-from-Home on Employee Performance and Productivity: A Systematic Review

Author

Listed:
  • Godfred Anakpo

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

  • Zanele Nqwayibana

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

  • Syden Mishi

    (Department of Economics, Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha 6001, South Africa)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, working from home has unquestionably become one of the most extensively employed techniques to minimize unemployment, keep society operating, and shield the public from the virus. However, the impacts of work-from-home (WFH) on employee productivity and performance is not fully known; studies on the subject are fragmented and in different contexts. The purpose of this study is therefore to provide systematic review on the impact of WFH on employee productivity and performance. A sample of 26 studies out of 112 potential studies (from various databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science database from 2020 to 2022) were used after a comprehensive literature search and thorough assessment based on PRISMA-P guidelines. Findings reveal that the impact of the WFH model on employee productivity and performance depend on a host of factors, such as the nature of the work, employer and industry characteristics, and home settings, with a majority reporting a positive impact and few documenting no difference or a negative impact. This study recommends that an improvement in technology and information technology (IT) training and capacity-building would yield more significant results to those who are willing to adopt the WFH model even after the pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Godfred Anakpo & Zanele Nqwayibana & Syden Mishi, 2023. "The Impact of Work-from-Home on Employee Performance and Productivity: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4529-:d:1086524
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zenon Pokojski & Agnieszka Kister & Marcin Lipowski, 2022. "Remote Work Efficiency from the Employers’ Perspective—What’s Next?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, April.
    2. Monica Aureliana Petcu & Maria Iulia Sobolevschi-David & Raluca Florentina Crețu & Stefania Cristina Curea & Anca Maria Hristea & Mihaela Diana Oancea-Negescu & Daniela Tutui, 2023. "Telework: A Social and Emotional Perspective of the Impact on Employees’ Wellbeing in the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Michael Gibbs & Friederike Mengel & Christoph Siemroth, 2023. "Work from Home and Productivity: Evidence from Personnel and Analytics Data on Information Technology Professionals," Journal of Political Economy Microeconomics, University of Chicago Press, vol. 1(1), pages 7-41.
    4. Varineja Drašler & Jasna Bertoncelj & Mojca Korošec & Tanja Pajk Žontar & Nataša Poklar Ulrih & Blaž Cigić, 2021. "Difference in the Attitude of Students and Employees of the University of Ljubljana towards Work from Home and Online Education: Lessons from COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Ludivine Martin & Laetitia Hauret & Chantal Fuhrer, 2022. "Digitally transformed home office impacts on job satisfaction, job stress and job productivity. COVID-19 findings," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 17(3), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Godfred Anakpo & Fikile Hlungwane & Syden Mishi, 2023. "The Impact of COVID-19 and Related Policy Measures on Livelihood Strategies in Rural South Africa," Africagrowth Agenda, Africagrowth Institute, vol. 20(2), pages 4-7.
    7. Narayanamurthy, Gopalakrishnan & Tortorella, Guilherme, 2021. "Impact of COVID-19 outbreak on employee performance – Moderating role of industry 4.0 base technologies," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 234(C).
    8. Kanyisa Jafta & Godfred Anakpo & Mishi Syden, 2022. "Income and Poverty Implications of Covid-19 Pandemic and Coping Strategies: The Case of South Africa," Africagrowth Agenda, Africagrowth Institute, vol. 19(3), pages 4-7.
    9. Esihle Komanisi & Godfred Anakpo & Mishi Syden, 2022. "Vulnerability to COVID-19 Impacts in South Africa: Analysis of the Socio-Economic Characteristics," Africagrowth Agenda, Africagrowth Institute, vol. 19(2), pages 10-12.
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    Cited by:

    1. Drago, Carlo & Errichiello, Luisa, 2024. "Remote Work admist the Covid-19 outbreak: Insights from an Ensemble Community-Based Keyword Network Analysis," FEEM Working Papers 341640, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    2. Carlo Drago & Luisa Errichiello, 2024. "Remote Work admist the Covid-19 outbreak: Insights from an Ensemble Community-Based Keyword Network Analysis," Working Papers 2024.05, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    3. Syden Mishi & Nomonde Tshabalala & Godfred Anakpo & Weliswa Matekenya, 2023. "COVID-19 Experiences and Coping Strategies: The Case of Differently Sized Businesses in South Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-19, May.

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