Explaining individual job performance in work from home (WFH) arrangements

Abstract

PurposeThis study investigates which factors are conducive to individual job performance in large-scale work from home (WFH) arrangements that rely on the current generation of technology, such as information and communications platforms.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers proposed a research model based on research on WFH arrangements. The model was tested based on a survey of 1,183 respondents who engaged in large-scale WFH arrangements during an extensive national COVID-19 lockdown.FindingsThe proposed research model explains 41% of the variance in individual job performance in WFH arrangements. The findings show that the strongest positive predictors for job performance are home office quality and the reach and communication quality of information and communications platforms. A sense of professional isolation was found to have a negative impact.Originality/valueThis study is based on a unique situation of large-scale mandatory WFH arrangements that are comparable to a natural experiment, and it is one of the first studies to conduct an extensive exploration of WFH that relies on the current generation of digital technology.

Working in a bubble: techno-isolation as an emerging techno-stressor in teleworkers

“…The second antecedent was the particular ICT work environment, which is more monotonous and prone to distractions. Danilova et al, (2022) show the importance of highquality home office workspace in predicting work-from-home job performance, however our participants' comments indicate physical attributes are not the only relevant considerations. The challenges that our participants experienced were due, in part, to the mobility advantage of ICTs; however, if work can be done anywhere, then it can be done in settings that may be convenient but not necessarily conducive to individual well-being and productivity.…”

“…The existence of a previously unidentified techno-stressor may help to explain some of the conflicting previous evidence regarding favorable and adverse consequences of telework (e.g. Danilova et al ., 2022; Delanoeije et al ., 2019; Hyman et al ., 2005). Furthermore, a recent analysis of social media content found that individuals had either neutral or negative views of the pandemic-induced shift to telework, referencing concerns regarding cybersecurity, technology, social connectedness (or lack thereof) and work-life balance, as well as spillover effects of personal stressors (e.g.…”

“…Lal and Dwivedi, 2009; Odekerken-Schröder et al ., 2020). As professional isolation in work-from-home arrangements has been found to negatively impact job performance (Danilova et al ., 2022), our results may serve as a starting point to understanding conditions under which improved ICT access/use can lower vs exacerbate these feelings of isolation as a techno-stressor, along with other negative effects on employees.…”

“…Looking forward to a post-pandemic world of greater hybrid workforce models (Baker, 2020; Danilova et al ., 2022), TIS may continue to arise not only for teleworkers but also among “in-office” employees whose colleagues work remotely. Our study provides insights for organizations as they implement these hybrid workplace models, pointing to the need to consider cognitive load, work environment, the social setting and ICT usage contexts for employees required to replace face-to-face social interactions with ICT-based ones.…”

Antecedents and job outcomes from a self-efficacy perspective while working from home among professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Influencers of self-efficacy while working from home Given that technology was critical for WFH during the pandemic, employers aimed to align the technological changes with human resource needs in the organization, to provide a better work environment for employees in the virtual domain against the backdrop of various concerns regarding WFH (Darouei and Pluut, 2021;Galanti et al, 2021). WFH depends critically on technology and its familiarity among employees, therefore accessibility and familiarity with technology play a crucial role in their job outcomes (Danilova et al, 2022). Therefore, among the influencers or sources of self-efficacy, technology played a key role during the pandemic (Vahdat, 2022) and can be considered as an influencer of self-efficacy.…”