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Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls

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  • Groen, Bianca A.C.
  • van Triest, Sander P.
  • Coers, Michael
  • Wtenweerde, Neeke

Abstract

Flexible work arrangements present managers with challenges regarding how to manage employees using these arrangements. To date, little research has investigated how managers address these challenges. We investigate the relationship between the use of a specific implementation of flexible work (teleworking) and control system design, specifically the emphasis on output controls. Teleworking reduces the feasibility of monitoring employee behaviour as a control mechanism. Control theory suggests that this might be compensated by placing more emphasis on output controls. We conduct a survey (N = 897) among employees of a financial services institution, of whom 69% is allowed to telework. We find that among teleworking employees, the share of teleworking hours is positively related to the emphasis on output controls. However, employees who are allowed to telework report less emphasis on output controls by their manager relative to those not allowed to telework. We pose various directions for future research, which may help in explaining these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Groen, Bianca A.C. & van Triest, Sander P. & Coers, Michael & Wtenweerde, Neeke, 2018. "Managing flexible work arrangements: Teleworking and output controls," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 727-735.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:eurman:v:36:y:2018:i:6:p:727-735
    DOI: 10.1016/j.emj.2018.01.007
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    17. Soga, Lebene Richmond & Bolade-Ogunfodun, Yemisi & Mariani, Marcello & Nasr, Rita & Laker, Benjamin, 2022. "Unmasking the other face of flexible working practices: A systematic literature review," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 648-662.
    18. Nemanja Berber & Dimitrije Gašić & Ivana Katić & Jelena Borocki, 2022. "The Mediating Role of Job Satisfaction in the Relationship between FWAs and Turnover Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-14, April.
    19. Asmussen, Katherine E. & Mondal, Aupal & Bhat, Chandra R. & Pendyala, Ram M., 2023. "On modeling future workplace location decisions: An analysis of Texas employees," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    20. Syed Abdul Rehman Khan & Danish Iqbal Godil & Munaza Bibi & Zhang Yu & Syed Muhammad Ahsan Rizvi, 2021. "The Economic and Social Impact of Teleworking in Romania: Present Practices and Post Pandemic Developments," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(58), pages 787-787, August.
    21. Mabel Andalon & Matthew Jones, 2022. "A simple model of working from home," Australian Journal of Labour Economics (AJLE), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), Curtin Business School, vol. 25(2), pages 193-214.
    22. Luiz Antonio Joia & Lineu Fachin Leonardo, 2023. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Digital Transformation of Workplace: The Social Representation of Home-Office," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-20, October.
    23. Konstantina Ragazou & Ioannis Passas & Georgios Sklavos, 2022. "Investigating the Strategic Role of Digital Transformation Path of SMEs in the Era of COVID-19: A Bibliometric Analysis Using R," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    24. Müller, Monika & Huber, Christian & Messner, Martin, 2019. "Meaningful work at a distance: A case study in a hospital," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 37(6), pages 719-729.
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