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Telework in Baltic Countries during the Pandemic: Effects on Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction, and Work-Life Balance

Author

Listed:
  • Amaya Erro-Garcés

    (Departament of Business Management, Public University of Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Begoña Urien

    (Departament of Psychology, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Giedrius Čyras

    (Department of Business Technologies and Enterpreneurship, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania)

  • Vita Marytė Janušauskienė

    (Department of Business Technologies and Enterpreneurship, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, LT-10223 Vilnius, Lithuania)

Abstract

As a result of the rapid and unplanned adoption of telework by European companies during the pandemic, specific telework characteristics have arisen. Thus, employees’ experience of telework requires further analysis. Based on the “Living, Working, and COVID-19” results for Baltic countries, this paper studies the effect of telework experience on wellbeing, both directly and mediated by Work-Life balance and job satisfaction, through structural equation modelling. After verifying the significant differences in telework preferences, the model is also tested in high versus low telework preference groups. The main findings corroborate the effect of a positive telework experience on perceived wellbeing, but only indirectly via Work-Life balance. Additionally, data from the group with a high telework preference best fits the proposed model, revealing not only the mentioned indirect effect, but also the direct positive effect of telework experience on wellbeing. Thus, employees with a negative experience of telework during the pandemic will be more reluctant to accept telework over more traditional work arrangements. The implications as well as some limitations to be examined in further studies are also presented.

Suggested Citation

  • Amaya Erro-Garcés & Begoña Urien & Giedrius Čyras & Vita Marytė Janušauskienė, 2022. "Telework in Baltic Countries during the Pandemic: Effects on Wellbeing, Job Satisfaction, and Work-Life Balance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:10:p:5778-:d:812444
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Pavel Stanciu & Daniela Mihaela Neamțu & Iulian Alexandru Condratov & Cristian-Valentin Hapenciuc & Ruxandra Bejinaru, 2023. "Dynamics of Teleworking and Impact on Stakeholders in the Current Pandemic Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-21, April.
    3. Begoña Urien, 2023. "Teleworkability, Preferences for Telework, and Well-Being: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-32, July.
    4. Claudiu George Bocean & Luminita Popescu & Anca Antoaneta Varzaru & Costin Daniel Avram & Anica Iancu, 2023. "Work-Life Balance and Employee Satisfaction during COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-15, July.
    5. Joseph Crawford, 2022. "Working from Home, Telework, and Psychological Wellbeing? A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-16, September.

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