COVID-19 affected remote workers: a temporal analysis of information system development during the pandemic

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper explores the temporal complexity of remote working within information systems development (ISD). Traditional remote working literature is ill-equipped to deal with the COVID-19 context. An interpretive research approach is used to generate a qualitative data set, based upon the results of field interviews with key ISD professionals. The thematic analysis of the research data is classified based on a temporal complexity framework. The study provides several key takeaways that emerge when temporal complexity theory is applied to study COVID-19 affected remote ISD workers. It explores how temporal characteristics influence remote ISD working, while investigating the resulting challenges. Recommendations are provided which researchers and practitioners may focus on when researching and applying ISD methodology. This is the first paper which examines temporal complexity within remote ISD workers. This research will provide a starting point for ISD researchers and practitioners to test their commonly held temporal assumptions about remote working.