The Experience Of Knowledge Workers In Remote Environments During The COVID-19 Pandemic

<p>When regional quarantine restrictions were rapidly implemented in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, knowledge workers were forced to vacate their traditional shared office spaces and transition to remote work environments. This unprecedented mass exodus from traditional in-person physical workplaces was facilitated by existing and new software and technology that allowed workers to remain connected and working. This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and perceptions of knowledge workers who experienced this transition to a full-time remote work environment. The study also examined how knowledge workers perceived work performance relative to their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 18 knowledge workers in the New England region of the United States to document their feelings and experiences and to offer a “snapshot” of shared perspectives. Five themes emerged from the data: navigating connectivity gaps and remote communication challenges; isolation and technological barriers contrasting with freedom and flexibility; the intersection of remote work and family dynamics; navigating remote work environments; and collaboration, leadership, and communication in remote teams. The findings showed that knowledge workers preferred a hybrid approach, one that allows for in-person professional interactions and flexibility to work remotely when needed due to personal commitments or preferences. Effective communication was the most common challenge encountered by study participants, and maintaining professional relationships was strained in remote environments. Benefits included increased time spent with family, the perception of improved levels of productivity, and less time spent commuting. Keywords: remote work, work from home, knowledge workers in remote work environments, hybrid work environments, challenges in remote work environments, benefits of remote work environments, lived experience of remote workers during the COVID-19 pandemic</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Author dc:creator

• Knapp, Dale F

Contributors dc:contributor

• Debra Welkley
• Corey Berg
• Michael Davis

• Remote Work Environments
• Knowledge Workers
• Work from Home
• COVID-19 Pandemic
• Lived Experience
• Business Intelligence
• Education
• Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Leadership
• Leadership Studies
• Organizational Communication
• Other Communication
• Work, Economy and Organizations

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dune.une.edu/edu_diss/34

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dune.une.edu:edu_diss-1037