Supporting remote workers through technology: A review of support systems and implications to leaders
Conference Contribution ResearchOnline@JCUAbstract
Technology is integral for remote working, a work arrangement where workers locate outside a centralised workplace. The rapid rise in remote working experienced globally during the COVID-19 pandemic increased technology prevalence, transforming use from a privilege to the norm. Remote work options are now an expectation for employees. Unsurprisingly, a surge of literature on remote working has recently appeared, though consensus on best practices for remote work is yet to be reached. Further, the full impact of technology on remote workers requires investigation on likely impacts accruing to future remote workforces. A key question here concerns how business leaders support adaptation of human workforces to technology-enhanced work environments. Hence, the study aim was to investigate support systems in remote work environments regarding social and technology support and employee work-related outcomes. A scoping literature review comprising 42 academic publications found that technology supports (e.g. access to equipment, software, training) and social supports (e.g. technology-enabled social interactions, psychological support, supervisor support) provided to remote workers influenced organisational (e.g. productivity, business continuity) and employee (e.g. wellbeing, work-life balance) outcomes. The findings suggest that leadership of remote workers in the future, will require workers skilled and competent in adapting to emerging technologies, complemented by agile leaders capable of responding to both the remote worker’s social and technology needs. Both elements will foster efficient and effective technology-enhanced remote working environments.
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BEMAS 2024: 3rd International Conference on Business, Economics, Management and Sustainability
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1
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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James Cook University
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Cairns, QLD, Australia
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