COVID-19 Remote Work : Body Stress, Self-Efficacy, Teamwork, and Perceived Productivity of Knowledge Workers

Abstract

Due to COVID-19, companies were forced to adopt new work processes, and reduce modern work environments such as collaboration spaces. Professionals from many fields were forced to work remotely, almost overnight. Little is known about the impact of such non-volunteer remote work on productivity, stress, and other key aspects of work performance. To further our understanding of the impacts of this situation and remote work in general, we conducted an exploratory study by studying 28 knowledge work professionals (researchers, software developers, interior designers, service designers, and development consultants) from the viewpoint of perceived productivity and aspects affecting it in this unusual setting. Early results showed the positive influence of self-efficacy and teamwork on productivity during remote work, while no moderating effect of measured physical stress on productivity either through the intrinsic or social factor was present.