Working from Home: Creativity and Innovation in the High-Tech Industry in Israel

Abstract

Creativity is a crucial aspect of tech management, as it allows hi-tech workers to identify and solve problems, generate new ideas, and create innovative solutions that meet the needs and desires of consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the way that people work, with many companies shifting to remote work as a means of maintaining business continuity. This shift has led to a debate about the impact of remote work on creativity, with some arguing that working from home increases creativity since it allows for more flexibility and autonomy. In contrast, others say it decreases it since it can lead to isolation and a lack of collaboration. While some evidence suggests that working from home may positively impact creativity, there is also evidence to suggest that it may have a negative impact. The main objective of this study is to investigate differences, if any, in the perceived creativity among hi-tech workers working from home or the office. The study provides a more nuanced understanding of hi-tech workers' attitudes toward creativity, innovation, and related risk-related issues.
 We used a validated questionary about the extent of innovation and creativity of people in general. Then we investigated these characteristics with the extent of working from home or the office. We statistically compared the means of variables of interest for categories of interest of respondents.
 We found no significant difference between high-tech workers working from home or the office. Yet, we discovered that hi-tech workers working from home reveal more resilience toward creative ways to solve problems even though these ways are associated with more risk. They are willing to take more risks to accomplish assignments innovatively and creatively. We also found that managers and development hi-tech workers tend to work from home.