All Changed, Changed Utterly - Employees' Perceptions and Experiences of Remote Working

Abstract

This study explores the experiences of higher education professionals with remote work in relation to organizational commitment, work engagement, and perceived organizational support. Using a mixed-methods phenomenological approach, surveys and in-depth interviews were conducted with a sample of higher education faculty and staff in the New York City metropolitan area with remote work experience. The study collected retrospective and current data focused on three research questions: (1) How do employees experience organizational commitment and work engagement with remote work? (2) What roles do multiple foci of commitment play in the higher education context? and (3) How does perceived organizational support influence the employee’s sense of organizational commitment and work engagement? The findings revealed that remote work can have a range of effects on employees' experiences of organizational commitment and work engagement and that the perceptions of organizational support and the foci of commitment are influenced by proximity dynamics. The study contributes to the literature and practice by providing a nuanced understanding of the experiences of higher education employees with remote work and the factors that affect their commitment and engagement.

Date of Award	26 Jun 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bath
Supervisor	Juani Swart (Supervisor) & John L Davies (Supervisor)