Organizational Culture Shapes Remote Work Policies in Crises

Research from Babson College suggests that an organization's internal culture significantly influences how effectively companies establish and stabilize remote and hybrid work arrangements during crises.

The study, conducted by Babson College professor Sebastian Fixson and his colleagues, analyzed four global companies facing similar challenges at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings reveal that a company's approach to managing employees' transition to remote work and the acceptance of new work arrangements were strongly tied to its internal culture.

Hierarchical organizations with clear rules and lines of authority were able to stabilize new work practices more quickly. However, these companies often faced greater challenges related to employee concerns not being heard. Conversely, collaborative organizations that emphasized teamwork and participation took longer to decide on and implement new policies but encountered less employee pushback.

The research highlights that developing a more flexible organizational culture is a gradual process. Fixson advises employers to begin this development long before the next crisis strikes to ensure a more effective response when work routines are disrupted. This article was originally published on The Conversation.