TITLE:
The Rise of Remote Work and Its Impact on Small Businesses
AUTHORS:
Md Omar Faruque, Tughlok Talukder, Md Nuruzzaman Pranto, Anupom Debnath, Samia Sultana
KEYWORDS:
Small Businesses, Remote Work, Human Resources Management, Employee Productivity, Efficiency
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Industrial and Business Management,
Vol.14 No.6,
June
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Most small businesses have been impacted significantly by a shift in human resources management functions as working remotely has become the norm. The main purpose of this research is to explore the presence of remote work in small businesses, considering such issues as employees’ productivity, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and related examples of problems. Employing of mixed-method method, we used surveys and interviews as the main instruments technique to collect information from small business owners, managers, and employees for all industries under consideration. Our research demonstrates some very important points about the implementation of remote work by small businesses. For starters, we noticed that there has been an upsurge in remote employees among small businesses. This procedure contributed not only to the increase in employee output, but the workers also said that they faced far fewer interruptions and had greater freedom in their work schedules. Remote work has been positively correlated with higher levels of employee satisfaction and engagement. Our findings suggest that employees appreciate the flexibility and work-life balance afforded by remote work arrangements, resulting in increased job satisfaction and retention rates within small businesses. On a financial level, remote work delivers the prospect of cost reduction to agile companies, minimizing the costs for office space, utilities, and commute incentives. On the bright side, the case studies reveal a host of issues that small businesses are encountering while trying to be successful in their efforts to adopt remote work policies efficiently. Organizational setbacks are brought about by maintaining teamwork, safeguarding data and handling remote job performance issues. The outcome which we had determines that remote workers’ policies and practices need to change so that they fit with their needs. Concrete tactics to create a favorable distancing work environment are to put in place reliable communication devices by all means. Policymakers and industry stakeholders can play a pivotal role in facilitating the transition to remote work by offering incentives, resources, and guidance to small businesses navigating this paradigm shift. By embracing remote work as a viable and sustainable option, small businesses can enhance their competitiveness, attract top talent, and contribute to a more inclusive and flexible workforce ecosystem. Our study follows on the multifaceted implications of the rise of remote work for small businesses and provides actionable insights for stakeholders seeking to leverage this transformative trend effectively.