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Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: An Examination of Teleworkers’ and Office Workers’ Job Satisfaction Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory

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  • Eric Brunelle
  • Jo-Annie Fortin

Abstract

Although research on teleworking dates back about a decade, much remains unknown with regard to how teleworking impacts employees’ experience at work. Based on self-determination theory, this research seeks to understand the dynamics underlying the impact of teleworking on employees’ job satisfaction. The study was conducted in an organization with a formal teleworking program; 448 respondents (211 teleworkers and 237 office workers) completed an online questionnaire. The results of structural equation model analysis indicate that teleworking is a better way of meeting workers’ psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness. In addition, our results indicate that there is a moderating effect on the relationship between these three types of psychological needs and employees’ job satisfaction, supporting the idea that the satisfaction of psychological needs does not operate in the same way for teleworkers and office workers.

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  • Eric Brunelle & Jo-Annie Fortin, 2021. "Distance Makes the Heart Grow Fonder: An Examination of Teleworkers’ and Office Workers’ Job Satisfaction Through the Lens of Self-Determination Theory," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(1), pages 21582440209, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:11:y:2021:i:1:p:2158244020985516
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244020985516
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Monica Aureliana Petcu & Maria Iulia Sobolevschi-David & Adrian Anica-Popa & Stefania Cristina Curea & Catalina Motofei & Ana-Maria Popescu, 2021. "Multidimensional Assessment of Job Satisfaction in Telework Conditions. Case Study: Romania in the COVID-19 Pandemic," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.
    2. Diane Pelly, 2023. "Worker Well-Being and Quit Intentions: Is Measuring Job Satisfaction Enough?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 169(1), pages 397-441, September.
    3. Chengwei Xu, 2022. "Work Motivation in the Public Service: A Scale Development Based on the Self-Determination Theory," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.
    4. Battisti, Enrico & Alfiero, Simona & Leonidou, Erasmia, 2022. "Remote working and digital transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic: Economic–financial impacts and psychological drivers for employees," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 38-50.
    5. Juan Sandoval-Reyes & Sandra Idrovo-Carlier & Edison Jair Duque-Oliva, 2021. "Remote Work, Work Stress, and Work–Life during Pandemic Times: A Latin America Situation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-12, July.
    6. Alba Yela Aránega & Clara Gonzalo Montesinos & Raúl Castaño Urueña & Rafael Castaño Sánchez, 2025. "Digitalization intention in entrepreneurs and SMEs: a structural equation model of digital behavior and work-life balance," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-22, December.
    7. Jun Yu & Yihong Wu, 2021. "The Impact of Enforced Working from Home on Employee Job Satisfaction during COVID-19: An Event System Perspective," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-22, December.
    8. 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.
    9. Tea Korkeakunnas & Marina Heiden & Malin Lohela-Karlsson & Komalsingh Rambaree, 2023. "Managers’ Perceptions of Telework in Relation to Work Environment and Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-14, March.
    10. Ajda Merkuž & Katarina Katja MiheliÄ, 2023. "Thriving While Working Remotely: The Role of Family-Work Affect, Exploration, and Ambidextrous Leadership," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, February.
    11. Fereshteh Ahmadi & Saeid Zandi & Mohammad Khodayarifard & Önver A. Cetrez & Sharareh Akhavan, 2023. "Job Satisfaction and Overcoming the Challenges of Teleworking in Times of COVID-19: A Pilot Study Among Iranian University Community," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(2), pages 21582440231, May.
    12. Elisabeth Figueiredo & Clara Margaça & Brizeida Hernández-Sánchez & José Carlos Sánchez-García, 2024. "Teleworking Effects on Mental Health—A Systematic Review and a Research Agenda," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-20, February.
    13. Elena-Florentina MATEI & Ioana Manuela MINDRICAN, 2021. "The Economic And Social Impact Of Telework. The Case Of Romania," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 30(2), pages 371-383, December.
    14. Adriana Ana Maria Davidescu & Simona-Andreea Apostu & Vasile Alecsandru Strat & Adrian Istrate Scradeanu & Ion Daniel Zgura & Maria Gabriela Horga, 2021. "The Impact of Teleworking on the Romanians Employees’ Job Satisfaction. An Empirical Evidence Based on Multiple Correspondence Analysis (MCA) and Logistic Regression," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 23(58), pages 637-637, August.

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