Effect of Covid-19 and digital technologies on remote work

Abstract

Due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, companies around the world have undergone a significant transformation in their operations. With the implementation of social distancing measures, companies have had to embrace remote working practices and heavily rely on digital technologies to ensure business continuity. This unprecedented situation has shifted the traditional work culture, compelling companies to quickly adapt to the “new normal”. This thesis seeks to examine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the increased use of digital technologies on companies' working practices, focusing on remote work. The exploratory research will analyse how businesses have adjusted their operations and identify the benefits and challenges that have arisen as a result. Furthermore, the study will provide feedback about the implementation of remote work from companies of different business areas, which may become useful for other studies and companies seeking to enhance their working methods and better prepare for future disruptions. After data analysis, it was concluded that remote work is a growing trend since the pandemic, once it was proven to bring some benefits, especially from an employee perspective. So, it is possible to admit that Covid-19, combined with the development of digital technologies, has accelerated the adoption of remote work in companies across different industries. The analysis is based on qualitative data on a limited number of companies, which enabled the understanding of each particular context, but limiting the generalisation possibilities. Furthermore, it contributes to the literature as it explores the benefits, downsides, and barriers to the adoption of remote work.

Date of Award	5 Jul 2023
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Sofia Pinto (Supervisor) & Rita Ribeiro (Co-Supervisor)