Self-organization of remote employees in Lithuanian companies

Abstract

The paper deals with employees’ self-organization as a modern form of organizing a company’s activities in a remote work environment, which was eventual and challenging in the pandemic, but, undoubtedly, is being further developed in companies due to perceived benefits. The aim of the paper is to analyze the self-organization of remote employees. For research methodology, in a quantitative approach, a survey of 196 working remotely employees in various Lithuanian companies by size, industry or sector was conducted using a questionnaire to analyze their self-organization activities and capabilities at the individual, group and organizational level. The survey data were statistically processed and analyzed, indicating percentages, means, medians, standard deviations, and correlations. It was found that for the vast majority of employees (79-91% in different components), self-organization is most developed at the level of individual work while working remotely. This allows employees to achieve a work-life balance and greater job satisfaction. However, the involvement of remote employees via self-organizing of group activities and decision-making as well as solution of problems important to the company in a competitive environment, is not sufficiently developed. In practice, this means that self-organization of their individual work can be delegated to employees, but more efforts are needed to involve remote employees in management processes.