COVID-19 Pandemic and the Socio-Economic Wellbeing of Workers, Organisations and People: the Loss of One is the Gain of Others (a Multiple Perspective Analysis-MPA)

Abstract

Purpose/objective: the study is a multiple-perspective analysis adopted to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the workers, organisations and people in terms of losses and gains. The paper is, therefore, an attempt to present a balance argumentative view of the implications of COVID-19 pandemic on the society, public organizations, and the private sector, community and family settings. Existing scholarships located in journals and other outlets tend to count the pains caused by the pandemic without looking at some gains like the strengthening of family and community ties and relationships, religious revolution, revival and awakening (affirmation of right spiritual values); increase in scientific and social researches and publications; more academics papers by faculty; the boosting of online education economy, awakening the need to prioritize governmental budgeting to address key areas like the health sector. Design/Methodology/Approach: the paper adopts a descriptive research design involving content analysis. A multiple-perspective analysis (MPA) which avoids a one-sided analysis, was adopted in the study. Findings: the findings reveal that society, individuals, the public and private sectors can profit from the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 despite the obvious negatives implications of the pandemic. Originality/Contributions: the study is original for providing a paradigm shift from the one-sided prevailing debate of analyzing the economic, manpower losses, and social pains of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study has, therefore contributed to knowledge by filling the existing gap-in-literature. The study has theoretical, policy and empirical implications and relevance.

Sense of Coherence in Managers during COVID-19 and the New World of Work: A Mixed-Method Study

“…Researchers stated important factors during COVID-19 [17][18][19] and it can be highlighted that in this research, the managers interviewed do not present managerial resistance to innovation. They also agree with the literature that appropriate equipment and training is needed to deal with the situation and the rapid changes [20]. Partly, they also fear collegial isolation and work towards mutual communication in the new world of work.…”

“…In the interviews, managers, however, do not speak about their expectations in new work relations to manage work [20]. They are very aware about the advantages of flexible work arrangements and adaptability [21], as is also mentioned in the recent literature.…”

“…Appropriate equipment and training for managers and virtual workers includes possessing and having access to computers, laptops and apps/software for virtual work, adequate and timely technical support, and capacity building in the area of training for both managers and virtual workers. Since the possibility and risk of social isolation associated with virtual work exists, virtual workers need to be assisted to stay connected with colleagues, technical teams, supervisors and the organisation as a whole [20].…”

Changes in workplace practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: the roles of emotion, psychological safety and organisation support

“…For the gig economy, COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the jobs of the gig workers, as projects or contracted jobs are put on hold or place them out of jobs (Agba et al, 2020). In the organisational context, gig workers form the periphery group, who are the contracted, independent, temporary or part-time workers.…”

COVID-19 Pandemic and Workplace Adjustments/Decentralization: A Focus on Teleworking in the New Normal

“…The COVID-19 pandemic that was first detected in Wuhan, China has spread to more than 190 countries of the world, and was officially declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global public health emergency crisis on the 30th January, 2020 (Guo, et al, 2020;WHO, 2020a, BBC, 2020. Since this official declaration, many public and private organizations including their workers and countries across the world have been counting their losses and in some cases their gains (Agba, Ocheni & Chukwurah, 2020). The workplace has not been spared of the calamitous effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”