Remote Work Evolution: Contrasting Realities in China and US

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The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to industries, increasing the uncertainty and dynamics of operations. In this context, digital transformation becomes a core approach for organizations to address challenges. The purpose of this article is to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected remote work in China and the United States, compare the disparities in telework between the two nations, and evaluate the implementation of remote work during and after the pandemic. Digital transformation has become the cornerstone of long-term organizational competitiveness and sustainability, increasing an organization's agility, innovation potential, and internal collaboration efficiency. There are cultural, regulatory, and technological infrastructure differences between China and the United States when it comes to remote work practices. In the early days of the epidemic, companies in both countries quickly promoted remote working due to policy support, industry culture, and digital infrastructure. After the epidemic, Chinese companies resumed traditional offline office models, while the United States was more inclined to support remote work. In the future, China's office model may develop towards a hybrid work model, emphasizing digital transformation to support remote work. This article recommends that companies adopt flexible working systems, strengthen employee skills training, and build on a culture of trust. In terms of outlook, hybrid working models will attract high-quality employees and require the exploration of new management methods to adapt to remote working models.