Identifying the impact of working from home to overall motivation and performance levels of employees working in the Sri Lankan IT industry

Abstract

At the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, theWorld Health Organization (WHO) swiftly declared it a pandemic due to its rapid spread across the globe. The pandemic has had devastating consequences on people’s lives, economies, businesses, workers, and jobs, including those in Sri Lanka. In response, many companies have adopted remote work practices, including working from home (WFH), to ensure business continuity while limiting the spread of COVID-19 by keeping professionals from coming into direct contact with one another. However, the transition to WFH has not been without challenges. Working from home can impose unique strains on both businesses and individuals, as numerous studies have indicated, both positive and negative. Furthermore, while remote work has become increasingly common even before the pandemic, some industries cannot operate effectively with a remote workforce. Given this context, the current research delves into the impact of remote work on motivation and performance using 385 IT professionals in Sri Lanka. To accomplish its goals, this study utilizes both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques based on survey responses.