Employee engagement, telecommuting propensity, and employee performance in the virtual workplace
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Date
Authors
Ravhudzulo, Hangwani Raymond
Eresia-Eke, Chukuakadibia E.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic catalysed a monumental shift in the traditional workplace,
compelling organisations worldwide to rapidly embrace telecommuting. This unplanned
experiment has challenged assumptions about productivity and collaboration, while
raising crucial questions about the intricate interplay between employee engagement,
telecommuting propensity, and employee performance. This study aims to illuminate
the dynamics underpinning the virtual workplace, offering insights to inform effective
strategies for optimising employee performance in the evolving work landscape of the
South African ICT sector. Leveraging the employee engagement theory, social exchange
theory, and the Triarchy Model of employee performance, the study examines the
relationships between these pivotal constructs. The population for this study is
employees working in South Africa’s ICT sector. Data collected from 478 respondents
was analysed through structural equation modelling. The study discovers direct
relationships among the constructs. Employee engagement is positively associated with
employee performance, and telecommuting propensity. However, the study found no
relationship between telecommuting propensity and employee performance. The
research findings suggest that the studied employees working in the South African ICT
sector exhibit heightened engagement and performance when telecommuting, despite
telecommuting propensity not being a direct determinant of performance. These
insights offer valuable implications for organisational strategies and practices to foster
employee engagement, productivity, and overall effectiveness in the evolving work
landscape.
Description
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : The data sets analysed during the current study that supports the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, H.R, upon reasonable request.
Keywords
ICT Sector, Employee engagement, Employee performance, Evolving work landscape, Information and communication technology (ICT), Telecommuting propensity, Virtual workplace, COVID-19 pandemic, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth, SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure, SDG-03: Good health and well-being
Sustainable Development Goals
SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
SDG-08:Decent work and economic growth
SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
SDG-08:Decent work and economic growth
SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Citation
Ravhudzulo, H., & Eresia-Eke, C. (2024). Employee engagement, telecommuting propensity, and employee performance in the virtual workplace. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2422559.