Abstract

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we live and work. Employers in Kosovo shifted their operations to a new and unfamiliar form of work for them and their workers and found new ways for their organizations to survive and strive in unexplored virtual environments. This study investigates the existing practices of remote work, the changing dynamics in remote environments, the opportunities and challenges and the implications for worker performance. To do so, this study analyzes primary quantitative and qualitative data which were collected in the time period of March-December 2020. The quantitative data was collected from a survey distributed online to workers in Kosovo who currently work or have worked remotely (n=513), whereas qualitative data was gathered through semi structured interviews with employers. This study explores the factors that impact worker performance in Kosovo and finds strong correlation with worker demographics, industry, task type, work environment at home and employer’s expectations. The findings from the study support the hypothesis that worker performance differs with demographics and industries. Moreover, the findings suggest that worker performance is the same or increases with remote work for the majority of workers in Kosovo. Lastly, the study gives useful insights and recommendations for employers and workers on how to operate post-pandemic and how to maximize their performance as remote work continues to be a prevalent practice and is predicted to be permanent. This study contributes to the emerging literature regarding remote work practices in Kosovo, worker performance and the impact of COVID-19 on workers.

Publication Date

8-2021

Document Type

Senior Project

Student Type

Undergraduate

Advisor

Venera Demukaj

Advisor/Committee Member

Mimoza Polloshka

Advisor/Committee Member

Dita Dobranja

Campus

RIT Kosovo

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