Remote Access Memories: How Remote Work Will Impact Organizational Learning and What Firms Can Do About It

Abstract

Is the increase in the popularity of remote work something organizations should resist or embrace? Which organizations stand to gain from this new trend and how can they prepare for or mitigate negative consequences of remote work? Using a computational model we show that complexity and turbulence in the organizational environment as well as organizational structure play a crucial role in determining the benefits of employees working remotely. Our results suggest that remote work is beneficial for organizations operating in simpler and less turbulent environments. These organizations also benefit from more modular structures, while those operating in complex and turbulent environments should consider switching to flatter and more interconnected forms when implementing remote work. We shed light on the likely effects of the rise in remote work among organizations and highlight the role organizational design can play in preparing organizations for this new reality.

Keywords: Remote work, organization design, organizational learning, exploration and exploitation